the denial of love, but differ from them in affirming the vision of Allah. Yet the vision they affirm has no reality.

The first person known in Islam to have denied that Allah speaks and that Allah loves His servants was al-Ja'd ibn Dirham. Thus, he denied that Allah had taken Abraham as an intimate friend or spoken directly to Moses. Khālid ibn 'Abd Allāh al-Qasrī therefore offered him as a sacrifice, saying:

“Offer your sacrifices, O people! May Allah accept your sacrifices, for I am sacrificing al-Ja'd ibn Dirham. He claimed that Allah did not take Abraham as an intimate friend and did not speak directly to Moses. Exalted is Allah, far above what al-Ja'd says!”

Then he descended and slaughtered him.

As for the Sufis, they affirm love; indeed, nothing is more evident among them. The very foundation of their path is will and love. Affirmation of the love of Allah is well known in the statements of their early and later figures, just as it is established by the Quran, the Sunnah, and the agreement of the early generations.

Love is a general category encompassing many kinds. Every worshipper loves what he worships. Thus, the polytheists love their gods, as Allah Most High says:

“Among people are those who take others besides Allah as equals, loving them with a love like that for Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.”

There are two interpretations of this. (The first): They love them as the believers love Allah. (The second): They love them as