that they can neither benefit nor harm Him, despite the immense blessings He bestows upon them and the afflictions He wards off from them. Securing benefit and warding off harm concern either religion or worldly life. Thus, there are four categories: guidance and forgiveness, which secure benefit and ward off harm in religion; and food and clothing, which secure benefit and ward off harm in worldly life.
Alternatively, one may say that guidance and forgiveness concern the heart, which is the sovereign of the body and the source of voluntary actions. Food and clothing concern the body: food secures its benefit, while clothing wards off harm to it.
He began with guidance, for although beneficial guidance is that which concerns religion, all human actions depend upon Allah’s guidance, as He, glorified be He, says:
“Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High, Who created and proportioned, and Who determined and guided.”
Moses said:
“Our Lord is He who gave each thing its form, then guided it.”
And He, Exalted is He, says:
“And We showed him the two ways.”
And He says:
“Indeed, We guided him to the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.”
For this reason, it has been said that guidance is of four kinds. The first is guidance towards what serves worldly welfare. This is shared by human beings and other animals, and by believers and unbelievers alike.