Chapter: One must not ask—by Allah’s noble Countenance—for anything except Paradise

Jabir ibn ʿAbd Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Only Paradise is to be asked for by the Countenance of Allah.” (1) Reported by Abu Dawud.

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Relevance of the chapter to the Book of Monotheism: It is obligatory to venerate Allah and to honor His Names and Attributes. Hence, no worldly request should be made by appealing to His blessed Countenance; rather, one may invoke it only for the loftiest goal and the greatest aspiration—Paradise itself. Doing so is among the rights entailed by true monotheism.

“No one is to ask” (lā yusʾal): The wording has been transmitted both as a statement of negation and as a form of prohibition.

“By the Countenance of Allah”: This is one of Allah’s inherent Attributes, befitting His majesty and greatness.

“Except Paradise”: Or anything that serves as a direct means to it among the most weighty objectives.

Overall meaning of the ḥadīth: The Prophet ﷺ forbids that lowly matters or the needs of this world be requested by the noble Countenance of Allah, out of reverence and exaltation for Him. He limits such a petition to Paradise, the ultimate goal of all seekers.

Connection of the ḥadīth to the chapter: It contains the prohibition of asking—by Allah’s Countenance—for anything other than Paradise.

Lessons derived from the ḥadīth:
1- Affirmation that Allah possesses a Face in a manner befitting His majesty, just like all His other Attributes.