For this reason it was the Prophet’s practice, peace and blessings be upon him, to begin with the most important matter for which he had set out. Thus, when ʿItbān ibn Mālik invited him and said, “I would like you to come and pray in my house so that I may make the spot where you pray my personal place of prayer,” the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, left with a group of his Companions. When they reached ʿItbān’s house, they asked permission, entered, and found that ʿItbān had prepared food for them. Yet the Prophet did not start with the meal; instead he asked, “Where is the place where you want us to pray?” ʿItbān showed it to him, so the Prophet prayed there and only afterward sat down to the food. This is proof that one must begin with the most important objective—the very thing that motivated the effort—so that one’s work is not wasted.

The Prophet’s words, “do not give up,” mean: do not become lazy or fall behind once you have embarked on a task; rather, persist. If you quit and start something else, then quit again, then start yet another and quit, nothing will ever be completed for you.

He then said, “If something befalls you, do not say, ‘Had I done such-and-such, it would have been this or that.’ ” That is, after you have been diligent, exerted your effort, sought Allah’s help, and persevered—yet the result still comes out contrary to what you wanted—do not say, “Had I done…” This matter now lies beyond your will. You have done what you were commanded, but Allah prevails over His affair: “Allah is dominant over His affair, though most people do not…” [Q 12:21]