he recited as follows:

I am smitten with the one I love,
But what can I do if my masters think ill of me?

In the same vein, they say: “A sick man whom no one visits, and a seeker whom no one seeks.”

This analogy suggests that the servant is sincere in his desire and wholehearted in his effort, and that the aversion comes only from the Master. This is an error—indeed, disbelief—for Allah says:

“Whoever draws near to Me a handspan, I draw near to him a cubit. Whoever draws near to Me a cubit, I draw near to him an armspan. Whoever comes to Me walking, I come to him running.”

He has told us that whoever brings a good deed will receive ten times its like, and that He multiplies it seven hundredfold and many times more. He has also told us that whoever intends a good deed has one complete good deed recorded for him. If he performs it, ten good deeds are recorded for him, up to seven hundredfold and many times more. Whoever intends a bad deed does not have it recorded against him. If he refrains from it for Allah’s sake, one complete good deed is recorded for him; but if he commits it, only one bad deed is recorded against him.

He, glorified be He, says:

“And those who are guided—He increases them in guidance and gives them their righteousness.”
Surah Muhammad, 17