and the absence of unlawful sexual intercourse to safeguard lineage, and the absence of apostasy to safeguard faith. Thus, everything forbidden is sought to be absent only for the well-being of something that exists.

What is commanded, however, is something that exists, and what exists can be good, beneficial and sought for its own sake. Indeed, every existing thing must contain some benefit or some good; nothing that exists is pure evil. For whatever exists was created by Allah Most High, and Allah has created nothing except for a wise purpose. That wise purpose is an aspect of good, unlike what does not exist, which is nothing.

For this reason, He, glorified be He, says:

“Who perfected everything He created.”

And He says:

“The work of Allah, who perfected all things.”

Thus, what exists is either wholly good or contains some good. What does not exist either contains no good whatsoever, or its good lies in preserving and safeguarding what exists. What is commanded is required to exist, whereas what is forbidden is required to be absent. It follows that what a command seeks is more perfect and nobler than what a prohibition seeks. It is the foundational objective, intended and desired for its own sake, and its absence is pure evil.

The thirteenth point:

What is commanded consists of those things through which the servant is set right and perfected, whereas what is forbidden consists of those things through which he is corrupted and diminished. What is commanded includes knowledge, faith, and the desire for