Another cause—indeed, one of the greatest—is to rid the heart of the corruption arising from blameworthy traits, which cause it constriction and torment and prevent its recovery. If a servant adopts the means (1) that bring openness to his heart but does not remove (2) those blameworthy traits from it, he will gain little benefit in this regard. At most, two influences will act upon his heart in turn, and he will be governed by whichever of them predominates.

Another cause is to give up excess in looking, speaking, listening, keeping company (3), eating, and sleeping. These excesses turn into pain, sorrow, and anxiety within the heart, confining, imprisoning, and constricting it, and causing it torment. Indeed, most torment in this world and the Hereafter arises from them. There is no god but Allah! How constricted is the heart of someone who has a share in every one of these afflictions! How miserable his life, how wretched his condition, and how severe the confinement of his heart! And there is no god but Allah! How blissful is the life of someone who has a share in every one of those praiseworthy qualities, whose aspirations revolve around them and remain focused upon them! Such a person (4) has an abundant share in His words: “Indeed, the righteous will be in bliss” [al-Infitār: 13], while the former has an abundant share in His words: “And indeed, the wicked will be in Hellfire” [al-Infitār: 14]. Between the two are varying degrees that none but Allah can count.

The point is that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is the most perfect of all creation in every quality that brings openness and spaciousness to the heart, delight, and life to the spirit. He is therefore the most perfect of all creation in this openness, life, and delight, in addition to the physical opening of his chest with which he was specially favoured. And the most perfect