One of the fundamental aspects of the disease of heedlessness is falling into the trap of the Devil’s false promise — for the Devil is indeed a manifest enemy to human beings and one who abandons them in their hour of need. This threat consists in instilling fear of poverty, and thereby driving people to pursue immorality. Allah, the Exalted, says: “Satan threatens you with poverty and commands you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And A

Allah’s response to the inhabitants of Hell who plead for deliverance is among the most sobering passages in the Quran. They will say: “Our Lord, our wretchedness overcame us, and we were a people astray. Our Lord, bring us out of it; then, if we return to our former ways, we will indeed be wrongdoers” (23:106–107). They will also say: “Our Lord, bring us out, and we will do righteous deeds other than what we used to do” (35:37). Allah will reply: “Remain despised therein, an

When Allah, the Exalted, addresses the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, saying, “Indeed, We know that your heart is distressed by what they say” (15:97), and, “Indeed, We know that what they say grieves you” (6:33), it makes one wonder: If distress can afflict the heart of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then what about everyone else? This is so that the servant may understand that distress, sadness, worry, anguish, and regret are all things th