love and longing for that beloved object, whether through its description or the sight of it. Both produce a mental image. Such an image may also arise from hearing, seeing, or thinking about something connected with it. When the soul pictures these related things, it turns towards what it has imagined, and the impulse of love is stirred, whether that love is praiseworthy or blameworthy.

This is why people feel drawn to Hajj when the Hijaz is mentioned, when the season of Hajj arrives, or when they see members of their household, relatives, friends, or others setting out for it. Had a person neither heard nor seen these things, he would not have been stirred, nor would the impulse to direct his energies towards it have arisen. Thus, mention of al-Abraq, al-Ajraʿ, al-ʿAlī, and similar places stirs his soul, because he saw those places while journeying towards what he loved; mentioning them therefore reminds him of his beloved object.

Likewise, when merchants and people of wealth hear of opportunities for profit, their desire for them is stirred. Those fond of recreation and outings are similarly drawn to them when they see others setting out for such pursuits. All these impulses are embedded in human souls, and man is ever unjust and ignorant.

Likewise, mentioning the traces of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, brings him to mind and stirs love for him. Thus, when someone afflicted with sexual immorality and passionate infatuation tells another person of his condition, that person’s soul is stirred towards the same kind of thing, for souls are naturally disposed to love beautiful forms.