A question regarding [the reality of] ḥubb-love was brought forth in Mecca – May Allāh Exalt it in Esteem – during the days of Hajj. So the Scholars [of the inward realities] began to discuss it. [Sayyid] Junayd [May Allah Sanctify His Soul] was among them and the youngest of all. So they said: “Come, what do you have to say [about this] O ‘Iraqī?” He [Junayd] lowered his head, tears trickling down his eyes. Then he said: 

“[Ḥubb-love is]: An ‘abd [slave] that has parted ways with his nafs [lower self]; connected to [and by] the Remembrance of His Lord; constantly upholding His due rights; always gazing upon Him with his [spiritual] heart; incinerated by the effulgent lights of His Divine, Overwhelming-Awe; his [spiritual] drink made ever-pure from the Cup of His Tender, Affectionate Love; revealing to him, The Compelling-Mender from the layered veils of His unseen realm. And therefore, if he speaks, it is by Allāh; if he breaks his silence, it is about Allāh; if he moves about, it is by the Command of Allāh; if he remains still and motionless, it is with Allāh. For he is by Allāh, for Allāh and with Allāh.” 

Thereupon the Scholars began to weep and said: “Nothing can possibly be added to this. May Allāh reward you, O Crown of The True, Intimate Knowers of Allāh.”

“Between you and your Lord is only you. Separate from you, and you would witness Him. It was asked: How do I separate from me? I said to him: Separate from your nafs by opposing it (mukhalafa), resisting it (mujahada), and being deaf to its demands. Do not assent to its base desires, pleasures and its fickleness. For then, it will become submissive and retreat from the face of your heart. It will become a piece of flesh, cast aside, motionless, the spirit of serenity and quiescence flowing through it.” 

Upon the head of the universe is the sandal of Muhammad ﷺ        

It has ascended and all creation falls under its shadow

At the mount of Tur, Musa was addressed, “Remove your sandal!” while Ahmad ﷺ

In Divine nearness during his ascension, was not commanded to remove his sandals

Its image narrates the story of the sandal of the noblest of Messengers ﷺ

The luminescent stars long to be the dust under it

Their fellow wives — the seven heavens in their entirety —

are envious; and the crowns of sovereigns are jealous

The image of the sandal of the Chosen One ﷺ has no equal

For my soul, it is solace; for my eye, antimony

How noble it is — this image of the blessed sandal!

For it, every head truly wishes to be a foot

When I observed that the trials of time wage war upon creation

I took for myself the Master of creation’s sandal as a citadel

I sought refuge and shelter in its wondrous image

And within its unassailable enclosure, I attained safety in its shade

I have served the image of the sandal of the Chosen One ﷺ

That I live in both worlds beneath its shade

ibn Mas‘ud found felicity in service of his sandal

And I find felicity in my service of its image

“When the claimants of Divine love became many, they were told to provide evidence for the truth of their claim. For, if people were given simply on the basis of their claims, a heartless man would allege his heart burning with love. Because claimants are diverse, it is said: This claim is not accepted except with proof: Say (to them, O Muhammad) if you proclaim love of the Divine, then follow me. Allah will love you… (3:31).”

Go, graceful, rising soul — 

Take an unfamiliar journey 

To the sea of meanings

For you are a precious pearl. 

Do you remember — 

You have passed through water and clay 

Do not be troubled 

That you are passing 

From this terrace-land, too. 

Wash your wings of this water and clay —

Become light and limber

Why do you not fly and follow 

Your friends who have flown?

Those who fast from passing pleasures, at the ‘Eid find Love itself.

You crawled seeking the nobility of ‘ilm 

While the strivers expended their all and raised their garments to race

They struggled to seek until most gave up

Except the true and patient, who embraced its nobility

Don’t consider the nobility of ‘ilm as a date to be eaten

You will never attain its nobility until you taste the bitterness of aloe