as penetration. From behind that veil there pours into the heart a flood of lights—of majesty, magnificence, beauty, and perfection—so that the knowledge the servant has acquired becomes radiant. It now possesses an additional quality beyond the familiar ⦗107⦘ delight and illumination: a power in both open proclamation and private concealment.

We must therefore not allow the distractions and anxieties of this world to divert us from winning this lofty gift; otherwise—just as mentioned earlier—we would forsake the superior, weighty matter for something of lesser worth (2). If we tread this path for a span of time and Allah grants us penetration and firmness therein, then, by Allah’s leave, these contingent, created particulars (3) will cease to affect us.

Let each of us today make his concern to balance worldly interests, scholarly virtues, and the orientations of the heart. None of us should be satisfied with one of these three to the exclusion of the other two, for then the desired goal would slip away. Whenever a person strives for such balance, then—if Allah wills—every portion (4) he secures of one will be matched by a portion of the others; and with perseverance those gathered portions will combine until, in the end, they amount to a lofty station, Allah willing.

Although, may Allah strengthen you, you already know this, yet reminding is beneficial to the believers.