Likewise, they make him a Jahmī, causing him to deny the knowledge of the Lord, love for Him, and affirmation of His oneness that are within his heart. He then seeks that knowledge through evidence, while denying love altogether. The affirmation of Allah’s oneness that encompasses love is denied by those who do not understand it; only His oneness as Creator is affirmed. The polytheists used to acknowledge this oneness and this association of partners with Allah. Thus, his parents make him a polytheist, a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian. This hadith and people’s views concerning it have been discussed at length elsewhere.

Another illustration of how much of a person’s inner state can remain hidden from him, without his awareness, is that many people harbour a latent love of leadership without knowing it. Indeed, a person may be sincere in his worship while his faults remain hidden from him. Much has been said about this, and it is well known. This is why it has been called “the hidden desire.”

Shaddād ibn Aws said:

“O remaining Arabs! What I fear most for you is showing off and the hidden desire.”

Abū Dāwūd al-Sijistānī was asked, “What is the hidden desire?”

He replied, “Love of leadership.”

It is hidden: concealed from others and often even from the person who harbours it. The same is true of love of wealth and physical form: a person may love such things without knowing it. His soul remains at ease as long as what he loves is present; but when he loses it, what emerges from