can be better than an earth full of other human beings. If one of them is superior to the angels while another is worse than beasts, then the differences in excellence among them are greater than those among the angels. Their differing degrees of excellence are fundamentally determined by their knowledge and love of Allah. Thus, only Allah can encompass the extent of their differences in this regard. Whatever differences are known among them in their love for the things they cherish, their differences in love for Allah are greater.

The same applies to their differing degrees of fear of what they fear, and of humility and submission before whatever they humble themselves and submit to. They likewise differ in their knowledge of things, their belief in them, and their acknowledgment of them. If they differ in their knowledge of the angels and their attributes, and in their belief in them, then their differences in knowledge of Allah and His attributes, and in belief in Him, are greater.

Likewise, if they differ in their knowledge of the human soul and its attributes, and in their belief in it; or in their knowledge of the jinn and their attributes, and in their belief in them; or in their knowledge of the bliss and torment of the Hereafter—as reported, including food, drink, clothing, spouses, and dwellings—then their differences in knowledge of Allah and His attributes, and in belief in Him, are greater than their differences in knowledge of the “spirit,” which is the rational soul, and in knowledge of the bliss and torment of the Hereafter.

Indeed, if they differ in their knowledge of their own bodies, their attributes, their health and illness, and all that follows from this, then their differences in knowledge of Allah are greater still, far greater. For everything that is known and spoken of falls within the scope of knowing Allah, since everything that exists is His creation. All the attributes, names, measures, and actions found in created beings bear witness to and provide evidence for