the first of which is embodied in Sūrah al-ʿAṣr; the second comprises the three issues that have already been mentioned; the third is this present treatise; and the fourth—which will come later—is The Three Fundamental Principles. As for his words—may Allah have mercy on him—“Know,” we have previously dealt with the term itself, clarified its meaning, and explained why the author chooses to employ it.

Regarding his phrase, “may Allah guide you,” this is the Shaykh’s supplication—may Allah have mercy on him—for everyone who reads this treatise with understanding and seeks to act upon it: that Allah direct him aright. Guidance (irshād) is to be led to what is correct and granted success in attaining beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds. Right guidance (rushd) is the opposite of deviation (ghayy). The Exalted says, “Thus right guidance has become distinct from error” (2:256), and He says, “Even if they see every sign, they will not believe in it; and if they see the path of right guidance, they will not take it as a path” (7:146). Right guidance is the religion of Islam, whereas deviation is the religion of Abū Jahl and those like him.

His expression, “may Allah guide you to obey Him,” is a tremendous supplication, for when Allah directs a Muslim to His obedience, that person attains happiness in this world and the next. Obedience (ṭāʿah) is to carry out what Allah has commanded and to avoid what He has forbidden. That is the essence of obedience: that you fulfill His commands and shun His prohibitions, submitting to Allah’s order and seeking His Face—hoping for His reward and fearing His punishment. Whoever is granted success in obeying Allah and is guided to His obedience will indeed prosper in this life and in the Hereafter.