that he reaches.

When someone is said to have attained to Allah, to affirmation of His oneness, to knowledge of Him, or the like, this encompasses diverse forms and widely differing degrees that none but Allah Most High can enumerate. To despair of attaining the knowledge of Allah and affirmation of His oneness that He loves and approves is a major sin. Rather, one must hope for this and aspire to it.

Yet whoever hopes for something seeks it, and whoever fears something flees from it. If a person strives, seeks the help of Allah Most High, and persists in seeking forgiveness and exerting himself, Allah will surely bestow upon him from His bounty what he never imagined. If he finds that his heart does not open and that he does not experience the sweetness of faith or the light of guidance, let him repent and seek forgiveness frequently, and persist in striving to the best of his ability. For Allah says:

“And those who strive for Us—We will surely guide them to Our ways.”

He must fulfill his obligations both outwardly and inwardly and adhere to the straight path, seeking Allah’s help and disclaiming any power or strength except through Him. In short, no one has the right to despair; rather, he must hope for Allah’s mercy, just as he has no right not to despair; rather, he must fear His punishment.

Allah Most High says:

“Those whom they invoke themselves seek a means of nearness to their Lord, each striving to be closest. They hope for His mercy and fear His punishment. Indeed, your Lord’s punishment is to be feared.”

Some have said:

“Whoever worships Allah through love alone is a heretic, and whoever worships Him through fear alone is