among the recognized Muslim sects. They became numerous only among later generations. They called this “spiritual reality” and set it in opposition to the revealed law, failing to distinguish between the religious reality established by the revealed law—which entails perfecting such states of the heart as sincerity, patience, gratitude, reliance upon Allah, and love for Him—and the creational reality of divine decree, which must be believed in but may not be invoked to excuse acts of disobedience; rather, one submits to it when calamities strike.

Thus, one who truly knows Allah recognizes divine decree when calamities occur, so he is content and submits; but he seeks forgiveness and repents for sins and faults. Allah Most High says:

“So be patient, for Allah’s promise is certainly true, and seek forgiveness for your sin.”

[Surah Ghāfir: 55]

The servant is therefore commanded to endure calamities patiently and to seek forgiveness for his faults.

[THE HADITH OF THE DEBATE BETWEEN ADAM AND MOSES, PEACE BE UPON THEM BOTH]

Also belonging to this subject is the hadith concerning the debate between Adam and Moses, peace be upon them both. Al-Bukhārī and Muslim recorded it in their two Sahīh collections, as did others, on the authority of Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him. It was also narrated with a good chain of transmission from Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who said:

“Adam and Moses debated with one another.”

In another wording: “Moses said, ‘My Lord, show me (1) Adam, whose sin caused us to leave Paradise.’ Moses then said, ‘O Adam, (2) you are the father of humanity. Allah created you with His hand, breathed into you of His spirit, and commanded His angels to prostrate themselves before you. Why did you cause both us and yourself to leave Paradise?’ Adam replied (3), ‘You are Moses, whom Allah chose to address directly and for whom He wrote the Torah with His hand. How long do you find that the following had been written therein—“Adam disobeyed his Lord and went astray”—before