are among those possessing sexual desire. Veil your women from them as you veil them from virile males, for they are men.
Be an excellent companion to the accompanying angel charged with you. Listen attentively to him, and beware of the second companion, who is Satan. Do not support Satan against the angel by accepting what he commands you to do. Forsake him[3] and seek help against him by accepting from the angel. Honor your companions among the noble angels who write and keep watch over you. Dictate to them only good, for you must read what you have dictated to them.
When God expands worldly means for you, beware of dealing with them or spending them in anything other than obedience to God. Do not disobey God through His blessings. Part of thanking Him for a blessing is to obey God through it and seek its assistance in obeying God.
Beware of competing for worldly things. Have as little of them as you can, and as little companionship with their people, for their hearts are heedless of God through loving them. When the heart is heedless of God, the tongue does not utter remembrance of God, except by mentioning Him in an oath that may be false or true, or where it is not permissible to mention Him and God detests him for that mention.
Counsel
Beware of gluttony, for it takes away discernment. Eat to live, and live to obey your Lord. Do not live to eat, nor eat to grow fat. No vessel has been filled
Notes
[3]
(The reading “واخذله” (“and forsake him”) has been joined into one word, following the newer edition. The context concerns opposing Satan and seeking the angel’s assistance against him.)
