For, in this matter, people fall into four categories: (1) those to whom Allah grants knowledge and enables to act upon it—this is the most perfect state; (2) those who are denied both knowledge and action; (3) those who receive knowledge but are deprived of action; and (4) those who are given action without knowledge, so they slip into much error. The finest rank is the one that combines knowledge with action, and this is included in a person’s plea: “O Allah, guide me,” or, “Guide us to the straight path.”

His next request, “al-tuqā,” means taqwā—godfearingness. Taqwā is a comprehensive term that covers doing everything Allah has commanded and avoiding everything He has forbidden, for it derives from wiqāyah (protection), and nothing shields a person from Allah’s punishment except obedience to His commands and avoidance of His prohibitions.

“Al-ʿafāf” is chastity from fornication in all its forms: the fornication of the eye, the hand, the private parts, the ear—every variety of it. You therefore ask Allah for protection from every kind of fornication, for adultery—Allah forbid—is one of the gravest obscenities. Allah the Exalted says, “Do not come near adultery. Indeed, it is an abomination and an evil way” (Quran 17:32). It ruins morals, lineage, hearts, and religion alike.

As for “al-ghinā,” what is intended is independence from created beings—that a person suffice with what Allah has granted him and have no need of what others possess, whether Allah has given him much wealth or little. Contentment is an inexhaustible treasure. Many people receive from Allah what would suffice them, yet, because of the niggardliness lodged in their hearts—Allah protect us—they remain perpetually needy. Thus, when you ask Allah for “ghinā,” you are seeking that He enrich you—by contentment and by such provision as will spare you any dependence on others.