the first and foremost among the Emigrants and the Helpers. These matters are discussed at length elsewhere. The point here is that a believer may adopt this attitude toward calamities in general. When they result from the actions of believers, he can restrain his anger and pardon people. Joseph the truthful—may Allah’s blessings be upon him—displayed this, as well as something greater: patiently resisting immorality despite the powerful urge to commit it. This patience is greater than the former kind, indeed greater even than perseverance in obedience.

Thus Allah, glorified is He, says, describing the God-fearing for whom He has prepared Paradise:

“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the God-fearing.”

“Those who spend in ease and hardship, who restrain their anger and pardon people—and Allah loves those who do good.”

“And those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who forgives sins except Allah?—and do not knowingly persist in what they have done.”

“Their reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide forever. How excellent is the reward of those who strive!”

He thus describes them as generous and forbearing, spending, restraining their anger, and pardoning people. Then, when it comes to forbidden desires, He describes them as repenting of them, saying: “And those who, when they commit an indecency or wrong themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who