—nor any beloved to whom it may retreat and in whom it may find repose (1). Thus it is, as one eloquent poet has said (3):

"He has never tasted the flavor of life who has not (4)
a beloved in whom he feels assured and finds rest."

Wholesome living, a truly beneficial life, and the delight of the eye all lie in being still and at ease with the First Beloved (5). Even if the heart were to wander among every object of affection, it would neither rest nor feel secure with any of them (6), nor would the eye find satisfaction in them (7), until it comes to rest with Allah—its God, its Lord (8), its Guardian—apart from whom it has no patron or intercessor and without whom it cannot do without for the blink of an eye. As another poet has said (9):

"Carry your heart wherever (10) you wish among desire;
love is only for the first beloved (11)."