the outward half, while the inward half escapes him; his heart has become rigid, and his worship and recitation are far removed from the softness of hearts and skins—just as the Exalted says: “The skins of those who fear their Lord tremble at it, then their skins and hearts soften to the remembrance of Allah” ⦗Al-Zumar, 23⦘. Through such penetration the jurist rises above the jurists of our own age (1) and stands apart from them, for the penetrating jurist possesses illuminated insight, sound spiritual taste, truthful discernment, complete knowledge, and the ability to testify about others concerning the soundness or unsoundness of their deeds. Whoever lacks that penetration enjoys no such privilege; he grasps certain matters while others elude him.

Accordingly, it is incumbent upon all of us to seek penetration into the Presence of closeness to the Worshiped One, and to meet Him with the savor of certitude—so that we worship Him as though we see Him, as mentioned in the hadith (2).

This comes after being granted, in this world, the favor (3) of meeting the Messenger ﷺ—unseen within the unseen, secret within a secret—by devoting oneself to learning his days and sunnah and adhering to them. One’s inner sight thus remains fixed upon him, beholding him plainly in the unseen, as though it were with him ﷺ and living in his time. A person then strives for his religion and expends whatever he can of himself in its support.

Likewise, whoever sets out on the path of penetration may hope to meet his Lord with his heart—unseen within the unseen, secret within a secret. The heart is then granted a share of certain love, awe, and veneration (4), and it beholds realities with the heart from behind a delicate veil. That is what is referred to