repel a harm or a calamity that strikes him, I repel the calamities from him. And if My servant mentions Me in a gathering of believers and praises Me, I mention him in a gathering of My near angels; and if he thanks Me, I thank him and praise him.'

And in a narration, he said: Allah — Exalted Glory — says: 'I am as My believing servant thinks of Me; if he thinks well of Me, I think well of him. If he mentions Me in secret, I mention him openly. If he draws near a span, I draw near to him a cubit; if he draws near a cubit, I draw near to him a fathom. If he comes to Me walking, I come to him running. I have never hesitated in anything I intend except for taking the soul of My believing servant, for that is an honor from Me; thus, if I know of an intention in him that would change his faith, I take his soul out of compassion for him.'

And it has been related from Amir Al-Muminin — Exalted Glory — that he said in a sermon after a long discourse: 'O people, indeed for every blessing Allah has a right; whoever fulfills His right, He increases His favor upon him, and whoever falls short, he risks the vanishing of blessings and the hastening of vengeance. O people, for whomsoever his provision is expanded and he does not fulfill [his duty] therefrom, it is but a gradual enticement (istidraj) from Allah. O people, he whose provision is restricted and does not see that as a trial from Allah has wasted his hope. O son of Adam, do not carry the worry of your provision for the day you are currently in over a day that has not yet come; for if it is part of your lifespan, your provision will come to you. Know that you do not gather of wealth beyond your sustenance except that you are but a treasurer for someone else. Look with your own eye and take warning from others. Be wise for your soul before you are hidden in your grave and then say: Would that I be returned so I may act righteously, «Or say when he sees the punishment: If only I had another chance, then I could be among the doers of good»¹ «Give in charity and be