His statement, “Bewilderment arises from two things: the first is the great variation in spiritual states, and the other is the severity of evil and the fear of despair,” describes a particular spiritual journey. Not every seeker experiences this. Some seekers, however, undergo such differing states that they no longer know what to accept or reject, what to do or leave undone. Anyone in this condition must continually supplicate Allah, glorified and exalted be He, humbly beseech Him, and seek guidance through the Quran and Sunnah.

The same applies to the severity of evil and the fear of despair. Some seekers are tried with acts of disobedience that make them fear falling into despair of Allah’s mercy, because of their intense fear and the many transgressions they perceive in themselves. Such a person should recognize the vastness of Allah’s mercy, His acceptance of His servants’ repentance, and His joy at it.

As for another’s statement:

“A visitation descends upon the hearts of those who know Allah, leaving them between despair and hope. It neither gives them hope of attainment, allowing them to rest, nor makes them despair of the quest, allowing them to rest.”

The response is that this, too, is a passing state experienced by some seekers. It is not something inevitable for everyone who follows the path to Allah, nor is it a praiseworthy ultimate goal. Rather, it is something that happens to some seekers, as it is related that al-Shiblī used to recite verses expressing this meaning: