Which is more important for a Muslim: to rely on Allah, or to take the means?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, which is more important for a Muslim: to rely on Allah, or to take the means?

Answer:
Both are necessary. One must combine reliance on Allah with taking the means. Abandoning the means is a defect in the Shari'ah. They say that abandoning the means and relying on Allah alone is a defect in the Shari'ah, because the Shari'ah commands taking the means and depending on them. Abandoning reliance on Allah is shirk (associating partners with Allah). This is shirk. Depending on the means while abandoning reliance on Allah is shirk with Allah the Exalted. So, abandoning the means is a defect in the Shari'ah, and depending on the means is shirk with Allah the Exalted. Therefore, both are required: doing the means while relying on Allah the Exalted. Yes.