the sensation of it, as in the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:

“Whoever is content with Allah as his Lord, Islam as his religion, and Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, as his Prophet has tasted the flavor of faith.”

If it is asked, “Why, then, did He not describe the bliss of Paradise in terms of tasting?” the answer is that tasting denotes sensation in general. Someone is said to have tasted food when he has perceived its flavor, even if he has not eaten it. The bliss of the people of Paradise, however, is complete and perfect, not confined to tasting. Rather, He uses the word “tasting” in negative statements, as when He says of the people of the Fire:

“They will taste therein neither coolness nor drink.”

That is, they will not have so much as a taste of either. And He says of the people of Paradise:

“They will taste no death therein except the first death.”

The same applies to what they claim is figurative language in the Quran, such as “plotting,” “mockery,” and “ridicule” when attributed to Allah. They allege that these are figuratively given the names of the acts they requite. That is not so. Rather, the acts denoted by these words constitute injustice when directed against someone who does not deserve punishment. But when directed against someone who has inflicted such acts upon another, as punishment matching his own conduct, they constitute justice. Thus, the Most High says:

“Thus We planned for Joseph.”

He thus planned for him, just as his brothers had planned against him, as his father had said to him:

“Do not relate your dream to your brothers, lest they devise a plan against you.”

And the Most High says:

“They are devising a plan, and I too am devising a plan.”

And the Most High says:

“They plotted a plot, and We plotted a plot, while they were unaware. So see what was the outcome of their plotting.”

And the Most High says:

“Those who criticize the believers who give charity voluntarily, and those who have only their meager means to give, and ridicule them—Allah ridicules them.”

Thus, mocking them is an act rightly called by that name, as