acknowledge that Allah creates their actions and that they owe Him gratitude for this—how could they admire themselves for them?” Or words to that effect.

The former may seek His help, call upon Him, rely upon Him, and disclaim any might or power except through Him. Yet he does not intend to worship Him by doing what He commanded and abandoning what He prohibited through His Messengers. Nor does he recognize that Allah loves to be worshipped and obeyed, rejoices in the repentance of those who repent, loves the righteous, and is angry with the disbelievers and hypocrites. Rather, he sheds the religion, or part of it, especially in the final stages of his path. If he follows this approach consistently, his condition becomes worse than that of the Muʿtazilī Qadariyyah. Indeed, if he follows it through to its full implications, it takes him out of the religion as completely as a hair is drawn out of dough. This is the condition of the polytheists.

As for someone whom Allah guides, he truly lives by His words:

“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”

He knows that every deed that is not done seeking Allah’s Face and does not accord with His command is rejected, and that anyone pursuing an aim without Allah’s help is thwarted in attaining it. He testifies that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and so worships Allah with sincere devotion to Him alone, seeking Allah’s help in doing so and believing in His creation and command: His decree and His revealed law. He seeks Allah’s help in obeying Him and thanks Him for that obedience, knowing that it is a favor Allah has bestowed upon him. He seeks refuge in Allah from the evil of his own soul and his evil deeds. He knows that whatever evil befalls him comes from himself, while also knowing that everything occurs by Allah’s decree and predestination, that Allah’s conclusive argument stands against His creation, and that His creation and command embody consummate wisdom and abundant mercy. These matters are fundamental principles of great importance, whose detailed exposition belongs elsewhere.