and from which he derives no benefit. Yet when they hear Satan’s pipe, they love it, turn eagerly towards it, and their souls become wholly absorbed in it. These people are Satan’s troops and enemies of the Most Merciful, though they imagine themselves to be among Allah’s pious allies. Their condition more closely resembles that of the hypocrites who are Allah’s enemies. For the believer loves what Allah Most High loves, hates what Allah Most High hates, befriends Allah’s allies, and opposes His enemies. These people, however, love what Allah hates, hate what Allah loves, befriend Allah’s enemies, and oppose His allies.

For this reason, they receive satanic visitations corresponding to their use of Satan’s pipes. The further they stray from Allah, His Messenger, and the way of the believers, the closer they draw to the enemies of Allah and His Messenger and to Satan’s troops. Some fly through the air, while it is Satan who carries them. Others throw those present into convulsions, while it is their devils who do so. Some produce food and accompaniments and fill a pitcher out of thin air, while it is the devils who have done this. The ignorant suppose these to be miraculous gifts granted to Allah’s pious allies. They are, however, merely phenomena of the same kind as those experienced by soothsayers, sorcerers, and others like them among the devils. Whoever distinguishes between states originating with the Most Merciful, the self, and Satan will not confuse truth with falsehood.

We have discussed “the question of listening” at length elsewhere and cited the spiritual masters’ statements concerning it. Success comes through Allah, and Allah knows best. May Allah bless Muhammad, his family, and his Companions, and grant them peace.