that whenever they find repose in another, turn their attention to anything, or embrace anything in their hearts, He disturbs that attachment. In His jealousy over their hearts, He restores them to Himself alone, emptied of whatever they had found repose in.”

He also said: I heard al-Sulamī say that he heard Abū Zayd al-Marwazī, the jurist, say that he heard Ibrāhīm ibn Sinān say: I heard Muhammad ibn Hassān say:

“As I was wandering on Mount Lebanon, a young man, scorched by hot blasts and winds, appeared before us. When he saw me, he turned and fled. I followed him and said, ‘Give me a word of admonition.’ He replied, ‘Beware of Him, for He is jealous and does not love to see anyone other than Himself in His servant’s heart.’”