Among them are those who head toward what is good—the Muslims—and among them are those who head toward evil—the disbelievers, may Allah protect us.

A Muslim’s first act after setting out is to perform ablution and purification, for—as this ḥadith states—“Purification is half of faith.” He then goes to pray, starting his day with the worship of Allah through cleanliness, spiritual purity, and the prayer that binds a servant to his Lord. He therefore opens his morning with this righteous deed, indeed with tawḥīd itself, for it is legislated that when a person awakens he should remember Allah and recite the last ten verses of Sūrah Āl ʿImrān: “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for those of understanding…” (3:190–200).

Such is the Muslim who truly goes forth having “sold” his soul—but did he sell it in a way that sets it free? We say: yes, the Muslim sold it in a transaction that emancipates it, and for this reason the Prophet said, “He who sells his soul thereby frees it”—that is one category—“or dooms it.” The phrase “or dooms it” means: he sells his soul only to destroy it. The disbeliever sets out for work that will ruin him, for “dooms it” signifies its destruction. The disbeliever begins his day in disobedience to Allah; even if all he does is eat and drink, he will still be taken to task and punished for it on the Day of Resurrection.

Every bite a disbeliever raises to his mouth will bring punishment, every gulp of water he swallows will bring punishment, and every garment he puts on will bring punishment.

The evidence for this is the Almighty’s statement: “Say, ‘Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah that He has produced for His servants and the wholesome things of provision?’ Say, ‘They are, during this worldly life, for those who believe…’” (7:32) for those