words can offer only analogies and approximations. Knowledge of a thing’s true nature cannot be gained through words alone, except by someone who has already tasted, known, and experienced the thing being described.

This is why they are called people of knowledge: through experience and tasting, they know what others know through reports and reflection. An authentic hadith relates:

“Among the questions Heraclius, emperor of the Byzantines, asked Abū Sufyān ibn Harb about the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was: ‘Does any of them renounce his religion out of aversion to it after embracing it?’ He replied, ‘No.’ Heraclius said, ‘Such is faith: once its joy permeates the heart, no one feels aversion to it.’”

When faith touches the heart and its joy permeates it, the heart feels no aversion to it; rather, it loves it and is content with it. Faith brings the heart a sweetness, pleasure, happiness, and delight that cannot be expressed to someone who has not tasted it. People differ in how deeply they taste it. The joy and happiness within the heart bring a corresponding delight; when that delight permeates the heart, the heart feels no aversion to faith. Allah Most High says:

“Say, ‘In Allah’s bounty and mercy—in that let them rejoice. It is better than all they accumulate.’”

And He Most High says:

“Those to whom We have given the Scripture rejoice in what has been revealed to you, but among the factions are those who reject part of it.”

And He Most High says:

“Whenever a surah is revealed, some of them ask, ‘Which of you has this increased in faith?’ As for those who believe, it increases them in faith, and they rejoice.”

He, glorified is He, thus tells us that they rejoice in what has been revealed of the Quran. This rejoicing is joy and happiness, arising from the sweetness, pleasure, and delight they find in their hearts through what Allah has revealed.