of rank and beauty, but he said: ‘I fear Allah, Lord of the worlds.’”
The foundation of love is knowledge of Allah, glorified and exalted be He. Love has two foundations:
The first, known as the love of ordinary people, is love for His goodness to His servants. No one denies love founded on this basis, for hearts are naturally disposed to love those who treat them well and to hate those who treat them badly. Allah, glorified be He, is the true Bestower of blessings and goodness upon His servant. He graciously grants every blessing, even when it comes through an intermediary, for He makes the intermediaries available and brings about the causes. Yet if this love does not draw the heart to love Allah Himself, then the servant has, in reality, loved only himself. Likewise, whoever loves something because of its goodness to him has, in reality, loved only himself. This is not blameworthy; rather, it is praiseworthy. This is the love referred to in the Prophet’s words, may Allah bless him and grant him peace:
“Love Allah for the blessings with which He nourishes you; love me out of love for Allah; and love my family out of love for me.”
Someone whose love goes no further than this has recognized nothing in Allah that calls for loving Him except His goodness to him. This is as has been said: praise of Allah is of “two kinds”: “praise” that is gratitude, which is only for His blessings; and “praise” that is commendation, extolling Him, and love for Him, on account of what He deserves in Himself, glorified be He.