So it is with love: its second foundation is loving Him for what He is worthy of. This is the love of someone who knows of Allah that which makes Him worthy of being loved. There is no aspect through which one knows Allah, as indicated by His names and attributes, in which He does not deserve perfect love. This extends even to everything He brings about, for every blessing from Him is grace, and every punishment from Him is justice. Thus, He deserves praise in every circumstance, in prosperity and adversity alike. This love is higher and more perfect: it is the love of the select.

These are the people who seek the delight of gazing upon His noble Face and find delight in remembering Him and speaking intimately to Him. This means more to them than water does to fish; were they cut off from it, they would experience unbearable pain. They are the foremost, as related in Sahīh Muslim from Abū Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

“The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, passed a mountain called Hamdān and said, ‘Proceed! This is Hamdān. The devoted have gone ahead.’ They asked, ‘Messenger of Allah, who are the devoted?’ He replied, ‘The men and women who remember Allah much.’”

In another narration, he said:

“Those wholly absorbed in remembering Allah: remembrance relieves them of their burdens, so they come to Allah on the Day of Resurrection lightly laden.”

Someone wholly absorbed in remembering Allah is captivated by it, delights in it, and is passionately attached to it, never flagging in it.

In the report narrated by Hārūn ibn ‘Antarah, from his father, from Ibn ‘Abbās, may Allah be pleased with them both, he said:

“Moses said, ‘My Lord, which of Your servants is most beloved to You?’ He replied, ‘The one who remembers Me and does not forget Me.’ He asked, ‘Which of Your servants is most knowledgeable?’ He replied, ‘The one who seeks to add others’ knowledge to his own, hoping to find a word that guides him to