A PRAYER

ʿAmr ibn Bahr ibn Mahbub al-Kinani (163–255 AH), better known as al-Jahiz, was born and died in Basra. He was one of the greatest scholars of Arabic literature. His passion for reading was so intense that when he died, a book lay open on his chest. Among his most famous works is al-Bayan wa al-Tabyin. In the introduction to this book, he wrote the following profound prayer:

“O God, we seek refuge in You from the trial of speech, just as we seek refuge in You from the trial of action. We seek refuge in You from taking on what we are not capable of, just as we seek refuge in You from pride in what we are capable of. We seek refuge in You from excessive speech and vain talk, just as we seek refuge in You from inarticulateness and inability to express ourselves.” (al-Bayan wa al-Tabyin, Vol. 1, p. 27)

This world is a place of trial. Every aspect of it carries some form of test. That is why a person who fears God’s reckoning must seek His protection and help in every matter—not just in major actions, but even in speech and silence.

The real test of life is not what a person gains or loses—rather, it lies in how they respond in times of gain or loss. One must be just as cautious in speech as in action. One should place both their achievements and their shortcomings on the same moral scale. Power, too, must reflect servitude to God, just as weakness does.

In this world, success is a test, and failure is also a test. Action is a moment of examination, and inaction is a moment of examination.