and it remains elevated as long as this continues. But when he sins, his heart descends, and it continues to sink as long as he remains in that state. Enmity then arises between him and others like him. If Allah wills good for him, he turns back and strives while his heart is still low, until he becomes upright and his heart ascends. Allah, Most High, says:

“Neither their meat nor their blood reaches Allah, but your piety reaches Him.”

It is the piety of hearts that reaches Allah, as He says:

“To Him ascends good speech, and righteous deeds raise it.”

As for things separate from us, such as meat and blood, they do not reach Allah.

The Bātiniyyah (esotericists), who deny the creation of the world in six days and bodily resurrection, and interpret the Quran to accord with their own doctrine, hold that there is no “Paradise” other than the pleasure arising from the knowledge and praiseworthy character possessed by the soul. Nor, according to them, is there any “Fire” other than the pain arising from the ignorance and evil, blameworthy character possessed by the soul. Thus, the fire of souls is the pain within them, such as their anguish over failing to attain knowledge or losing the worldly things they love. Their sins alone veil them.

Such views are among those Abū Hāmid mentions in al-Madnūn bihi ‘alā ghayr ahlihi (What Is Withheld from Those Unfit for It). He may, however, say that this is not the punishment of the grave mentioned in connection with bodies; rather, that is a separate matter explained by the people of the Sunnah. According to them, bliss consists only in such states within the soul. Thus, they acknowledge neither bliss nor punishment separate from the soul.