only through instruction. Supererogatory works are many, and each is pleasing in one respect and more pleasing in another, so a new making known is indispensable. In such a case the lover is enraptured in heart, bewildered among the aspects through which he wishes to turn.
A Dais and a Locus of Self-Disclosure
The Lover Is Described as Preferring His Beloved to Every Companion
Every part of the whole world has a trust for the human being and is charged with delivering the trust. Its trusts are many and have particular times for their delivery: at every moment it has a trust. Among the things Abu Talib al-Makki drew attention to is that the sphere runs with the human being’s breaths—indeed, with the breath of every breather. The human being in particular is mentioned because, when he moves, the angel moves and follows him wherever he is. The world thus never ceases accompanying the human being for this reason.
The human being needs these trusts held by the world. Despite needing them, the lovers among God’s men, the gnostics, occupy themselves with what their beloved commands. They look toward Him in love and enrapture: He has enslaved them through His love[7] and bewildered them between His distance and nearness. For this reason they are described as preferring Him to every companion, for He is their companion, according to His saying, “He is with you wherever you are” [al-Hadid 57:4]. Everyone in the world also accompanies the human being because of the trust in his hand. Through love for God, the human being prefers the divine Presence to every companion.
(Sustenance and Companionship with the Bodily Structure)
Sahl al-Tustari was asked, “What is sustenance?” He said, “God.” He was told, “We mean
Notes
[7]
(Connected words at this point have been separated again by comparison with the new edition, preserving the author’s explanation of preferring the beloved to every companion.)
Translator’s note TN4752-1: The unvowelled al-malak is read ‘the angel’ moving with the human being. Al-mulk, ‘the dominion,’ is another possible vocalization; the wording is retained without introducing a named angel.
