For whenever Allah grants you sanctuary from the Fire, He will usher you into Paradise. Although the chain of this ḥadīth is weak, its meaning is sound: one must not invoke Allah’s Magnificent Face except for something truly momentous.

As for the report from Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever seeks refuge with Allah, grant him refuge,” it means that if someone says to you, “I seek refuge with Allah from you,” then you must give him refuge and leave him alone. This is exactly what happened with the woman whom the Messenger of Allah married; when he came near her she—out of ignorance—said, “I seek refuge with Allah from you.” The Prophet replied, “You have sought the protection of the Protector; return to your family,” and he released her because she had sought Allah’s protection from him.

Therefore, if anyone seeks refuge with Allah from you, grant him that refuge—unless he is trying to avoid a rightful obligation, for Allah will not grant refuge to a wrong-doer. Suppose someone owes you a due, and when you demand it he says, “I seek refuge with Allah from you.” In that case you should not excuse him, because Allah does not shield a sinner. But if the matter is not unlawful and he seeks refuge with Allah from you, then grant it out of veneration for Allah.

Likewise, the Prophet said, “Whoever asks you by Allah, then give to him.” So if a petitioner says, “I ask you by Allah to give me such-and-such,” give it to him—unless he is requesting something forbidden, in which case do not comply. For example, if he says, “I ask you by Allah, tell me what you do with your family,” it is impermissible for you to answer. Instead, turn him away, advise him, and say, “You are intruding into what does not concern you.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said