as near. This applies if he means His nearness to His servants and His distance from them. If, however, he means His drawing them near and keeping them distant, the wording does not convey that, for nearness and distance are different from drawing near and keeping distant.

Second, according to the early generations of this Ummah, its leading scholars, and the eminent shaykhs generally, His nearness to His servants and His drawing them near do not merely mean His bestowing favors and honor. Rather, He draws near to His creation however He wills, and draws near to Himself whomever He wills among them, as we have explained in the appropriate place.

It is established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“The nearest a servant is to his Lord is during the last part of the night.”

It is also established in the Sahīh that he said:
“The nearest a servant is to his Lord is while he is prostrating.”