عن ابن عبَّاسٍ رضي الله عنهما قال: كنتُ خَلْفَ رسولِ الله ﷺ يومًا، فقال: «يا غلامُ، إنِّي أُعلِّمُكَ كلماتٍ: احْفَظِ اللهَ يَحْفَظْكَ،احفَظِ اللهَ تَجِدْه تُجاهَكَ،إذا سألْتَ فاسأَلِ اللهَ، وإذا استَعَنْتَ فاستَعِنْ باللهِ، واعلَمْ أنَّ الأُمَّةَ لوِ اجتَمَعَتْ على أنْ يَنفَعوكَ بشيءٍ، لم يَنفَعوكَ إلَّا بشيءٍ قد كتَبَه اللهُ لكَ، ولوِ اجْتَمَعوا على أنْ يَضُرُّوكَ بشيءٍ، لم يَضُرُّوكَ إلَّا بشيءٍ قد كتَبَه اللهُ عليكَ، رُفِعَتِ الأقلامُ وجَفَّتِ الصُّحُفُ»
Ibn ‘Abbās narrated:
One day I was riding behind God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) when he said to me: 1. Young man, I shall teach you some words [of advice]: 2. Be mindful of God, 3. and God will protect you. 4. Be mindful of God and you will find Him in front of you. 5. If you ask, ask of God; 6. If you seek help, seek God’s help. 7. Know that if the entire community collaborates to benefit you with anything, they shall benefit you only with something God has already willed for you; and if they collaborate to harm you with anything, they shall harm you only with something God has already willed for you. 8. All pens have been lifted and all scrolls have dried.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) gives his young cousin, ꜤAbdullāh ibn ꜤAbbās, concise and comprehensive advice, telling him to have a clear aim. Therefore, whatever he needs, he should ask it of God only, and whatever help he requires, he should appeal to God for it. He should be clear in his mind that all matters are in God’s hand. Therefore, no one will ever cause him benefit or harm except by what God has willed for him
