His words, Exalted is He:

…God is Seer (baṣīr) of what you do.

⸢He said:

⸢He is Seeing (baṣīr)⸣^{1Added on the basis of MS F638, f. 55b. In the margin there is an addition of two words that are supposed to follow wāfaqa, but we have not been able to decipher them. Sulamī has the same as has been translated above.} if the act is compatible with (wāfaqa) [a person’s] nature (ṭabʿ) and disposition (khilqa).

His words, Exalted is He:

O you who believe! Indeed among your spouses and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them...

He said:

Those among your spouses and children who induce you to the amassing of [the goods of this] world and reliance on them (rukūn ilayhā) are enemies to you. However, the one who prompts you to give of it and spend it [in a good cause], and guides you to be satisfied (qanāʿa), and to put your trust in God (tawakkul) is not an enemy to you.

The saying is related from Ḥasan: ‘O son of Adam! Do not be beguiled by the ferocious beasts around you, namely, your son, your wife, your relatives and your servant. As for your son, he is like a lion in his ferocity and force, and will certainly contend with you concerning what you possess. As for your wife, she is like a bitch with her growling and wagging of her tail, sometimes she is growling and at other times she is wagging her tail.^{1This misogynistic remark has to be seen in the context of the rest of the rhetoric of this statement, which is equally hyperbolic. Otherwise this would present a negative view indeed of the ties of kinship!} As for your relatives, by God, a dirham that falls to their share of your inheritance is dearer to them than your freeing of a slave. As for your servant, he is like a fox in trickery and theft. I say to you, son of Adam, fear God, and don’t break your back for their benefit, for you only have a few steps till you reach your next home, which is four cubits by two cubits.^{2i.e. your grave.} Once they have put you there, they will disperse from you, then carry out their intentions, beat the drums [in celebration], and break into guffaws of laughter, while you are being taken to account (muḥāsab)^{3The MSS all have muḥāsab/muḥāsib: Z515, f. 117a, F638, f. 56a and F3488, f. 297b, whereas the published edition has tuḥāsabu. The meaning, however, comes to the same.} for what is left in their hands.’

His words, Exalted is He:

Your possessions and your children are only a test [for you]…

He said:

If God gives you wealth, you busy yourselves with how to keep it, and if He does not give you wealth, you busy yourselves with seeking after it. So when will you free yourself for Him?