—the imam—“If We willed, We could surely take away what We have revealed to you.” [Surah al-Isrāʾ 86]

He let out a cry, and I thought his soul had departed. He was trembling and saying, ‘Loved ones are addressed in such terms!’ He repeated this many times.’” This, then, concerns listening to the Quran.

He said: “It is related that al-Junayd said: ‘One day I visited al-Sarī and saw a man lying unconscious beside him. I asked, “What is wrong with him?” He replied, “He heard a verse from the Book of Allah Most High.” I said, “Have it recited to him again.” It was recited, and he regained consciousness. Al-Sarī asked me, “How did you know this?” I replied, “Joseph’s shirt was the cause of Jacob’s loss of sight—peace be upon him—and then, through it, his sight was restored.” He approved of my answer.’”

He said: “I heard Abū Hātim al-Sijistānī say: ‘I heard Abū Nasr al-Sarrāj say: I heard ʿAbd al-Wāhid ibn ʿAlwān say: A young man used to keep company with al-Junayd. Whenever he heard something reminding him of Allah, he would cry out. One day al-Junayd told him, “If you do that again, you will no longer keep my company.” Thereafter, whenever he heard something, his condition would change, but he would restrain himself until sweat dripped from every hair on his body. Then, on one of