wealth, or social standing—and is mindful of Allah. Such a person is eased toward ease; that is, Allah makes the smoothest path easy for him in this world and the Hereafter.

The Prophet ﷺ once addressed his Companions and said, “There is not one of you but that his place in Paradise and his place in Hell have already been written.” In other words, the matter is settled. They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, should we not rely on this and abandon deeds?”—meaning, rely on what has been decreed for us and give up acting. He replied, “No. Act, for each of you will find it easy to do that for which he was created.”

He then recited: “As for him who gives and is mindful of Allah, and affirms what is most true, We shall ease him toward ease; but as for him who withholds and deems himself self-sufficient, and denies what is most true, We shall ease him toward hardship.” (Al-Layl 92:5–10)

So reflect upon yourself: do you possess affirmation, do you give and expend what must be expended, and do you fear Allah? If so, you are granted success and are facilitated toward ease; and the reverse is likewise true.

The relevant portion of the verse for this chapter is His saying, “But as for him who withholds and deems himself self-sufficient,” meaning that he withholds what he is obliged to offer of wealth, influence, or knowledge.

A further illustration is the hadith in which the Prophet ﷺ said, “The miser is the one in whose presence I am mentioned yet he does not invoke blessings upon me.” This is miserliness with respect to what a person owes when he hears the mention of his Prophet—through whom Allah guided him—yet he is stingy and does not send peace and blessings upon him. And