love alone. Its only remedy is union with the beloved, occupation with whom removes awareness of deep grief.
If union with the beloved does not occur as a joining of entities, then the beloved is one who commands him. Fulfilling those commands and his joy in doing so keep him from deep grief.
Deep grief occurs most when nothing arises between him and the beloved to occupy him away from his self. No description of love disappears with occupation except deep grief.
Love’s descriptions are very numerous: regret, distraction, stupefaction, astonishment, bewilderment, jealousy, speechlessness, sickness, agitation, languor, weeping, torment, ecstasy, sleeplessness, and what lovers mention in their poems.
Our discussion in this chapter concerns God’s love for His servants and the servants’ love for God, nothing else. God, glorified is He, mentions people He loves for an attribute they possess, loving them on its account, just as He withholds His love from others for attributes they possess. He mentions this in His Book and upon His messenger’s tongue, may God bless him and grant him peace.
End of Part One Hundred and Thirteen, completing Volume Fifteen of this copy, followed by Part One Hundred and Fourteen: among these is following His messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace, in what he prescribes. Praise be to God.
