The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—then elaborated on this blessed condition, saying: “If he is met with prosperity, he gives thanks and that is better for him; and if he is afflicted with hardship, he is patient and that is better for him.” This is the believer’s state.

Every human being, in relation to Allah’s decree and destiny, falls into one of two categories: believer or unbeliever. As for the believer, whatever Allah has decreed for him is good for him in every circumstance. When hardship strikes, he endures the divine decree, awaits relief from Allah, and seeks his reward with Him; this is better for him, and by it he attains the reward of those who fast. When prosperity reaches him—whether a religious favor such as knowledge and righteous deeds, or a worldly favor such as wealth, children, and family—he thanks Allah by remaining obedient to Him. His gratitude is good for him, and he enjoys two blessings: a worldly blessing and a religious blessing—the worldly blessing lies in the prosperity itself, and the religious blessing lies in his thankfulness. Such is the believer: he is always upon good, whether or not he is touched by hardship.

The unbeliever, by contrast—may Allah protect us—is in a state of evil. If hardship befalls him, he shows no patience; instead he complains, cries out for ruin and destruction, curses time and circumstance, and even curses Allah—exalted is He—and we seek refuge with Allah. And if prosperity comes to him, he does not thank Allah, so that very prosperity becomes a punishment for him in the Hereafter, for the unbeliever does not take a single bite of food or a single sip of drink without incurring sin thereby.