As for the Lord’s nearness that subsists in Him through His own act, the Kullābiyyah deny this, as do those who deny that acts performed by His choice subsist in His essence. The early generations and the leading scholars of hadith and the Sunnah, however, do not deny it; nor do many speculative theologians. His descent every night to the lowest heaven, His descent on the afternoon of the Day of ‘Arafah, and similar acts fall into this category.

This is why His descent is specified as being to the lowest heaven. The same applies to His speaking to Moses, peace be upon him. For if what was intended were merely His bringing the pilgrims and those who stand in prayer at night near to Himself, His descent would not have been specified as being to the lowest heaven, just as no such specification was made regarding His answering the supplicant and the nearness of those who worship Him. Allah, exalted be He, said:

“When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed near. I answer the supplicant’s call when he calls upon Me.”

And He said:

“Whoever draws near to Me by a handspan, I draw near to him by a cubit.”

In the agreed-upon sense, this increase consists in His bringing the servant nearer to Himself as a reward for the servant’s drawing near by his own choice. Whenever the servant draws near by a handspan of his own choice, the Lord brings him still nearer to Himself, until he is like one who has drawn near by a cubit. Likewise, the Lord’s nearness to the worshipper’s heart consists in the knowledge of the Lord and faith in Him that arise in the servant’s heart. This is the highest likeness, and there is no disagreement over this either.

Thus, the servant comes to love what the Lord loves and hate what He hates, to be an ally to those whom He befriends and an enemy to those whom He opposes. His will thus accords with what Allah commands, loves, and is pleased with. This is part of the servant’s allegiance to his Lord and the Lord’s friendship towards His servant. For friendship is the opposite of enmity: “friendship” entails love and agreement, whereas “enmity” entails hatred