and “We are nearer to him than the jugular vein” [Qaf 50:16]. If you return to Him for reckoning or questioning, this is in reality a return from a state you are upon to one you are not upon.
Since all states are in God's hand, the return is attributed to God in this respect. One returning to God returns only from opposition to agreement, and from disobedience to obedience. This is the meaning of loving those who turn repeatedly.
If you are among those who turn repeatedly toward whoever wrongs you, God will turn repeatedly toward you concerning your wrong against His right, returning to you with kindness. Thus should you know affairs' realities, understand the meanings of God's address to His servants, and distinguish ranks, becoming one who knows God and what He said.
He mentioned this love for those who turn repeatedly after mentioning the hurt He placed in menstruation. Likewise he said, peace be upon him, “God loves everyone frequently tried and frequently returning,” meaning tested. He means that God tests him through His servants who wrong him, and he returns to them with kindness in exchange for their wrong: he is the oft-returning one. It does not mean God tests His servants through acts of disobedience. Far be it from God that such a thing be attributed to Him! Although all acts belong to God insofar as they are acts, they are disobedience only insofar as God rules them to be so. All God's acts are good insofar as they are acts. Understand this.
(Love for Those Who Purify Themselves)
Among this is His love for those who purify themselves. He, exalted is He, said, “He loves those who purify themselves” [al-Baqara 2:222]. Purification is an attribute of sanctification and declaring incomparability, His attribute, exalted is He. The servant's purification
