He said: “I heard Muhammad ibn al-Husayn say: ‘I heard Abū ʿUthmān al-Maghribī say: “The hearts of the people of truth are attentive, and their ears are open.”’”

These are fine words. Allah Most High said:

“Indeed in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or listens while he is attentive.” [Surah Qāf 37]

They explained this as meaning that his heart is present, not absent. Allah described the disbelievers as deaf, dumb and blind, neither hearing nor understanding; He said that there is deafness in their ears and that He has sealed their hearts and their hearing.

He said: “I heard him—meaning Abū ʿAbd al-Rahmān—say: ‘I heard the master Abū Sahl al-Suʿlūkī say: “The listener is between concealment and manifestation. Concealment kindles ardour, while manifestation brings relief. Concealment gives rise to the movements of spiritual aspirants; this is the state of weakness and incapacity. Manifestation gives rise to the stillness of those who have attained; this is the state of steadfastness and stability. And that is