Accepting God's Decree

To Allah, glory be to Him, belongs a command He has given to His servant.

And a decree He executes upon him, and a blessing He bestows upon him, so he does not separate from these three.

The decree is of two types: either calamities or faults.

And He has a right to the servant's worship in all of these ranks.

So the most beloved of creation to Him is the one who knows his servitude in these ranks and fulfills its due right.

So this one is the closest of creation to Him.

And the furthest from Him are those who are ignorant of their servitude in these ranks and neglect it in knowledge and action.

So his servitude regarding the command is by complying with sincerity and emulating the Messenger of Allah.

And concerning the prohibition, by avoiding it out of fear of Him, reverence, and love.

And his servitude in the decree of calamities is patience upon them.

Then acceptance of them, which is higher than that.

Then gratitude for them, which is higher than acceptance.

And this only comes from him when His love is firmly rooted in his heart.