The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 61
Faith, Certainty and Insight 61 his belief in the Being of God Almighty becomes so certain as if he is beholding Him, and he loses sight of all fear and grief, past or present, which disappear altogether and every spiritual bounty appears present before him, that condition which is free from all constraint and is secure against every doubt and apprehension and is free from all anxiety of waiting, is designated liqā' [communion. ] This grade of liqā' is clearly indicated by the word. Muḥsin, inasmuch as according to the interpretation of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Iḥsān is the condition in which a worshipper establishes such a relationship with God Almighty as if he is beholding Him. The grade of liqā' is achieved perfectly when Divine reflection completely covers the humanity of the seeker as iron is covered by the fire in which it is heated, so much so, that the physical eye perceives nothing but the fire. This is the stage at which some seekers have stumbled and have conceived the symbolic relationship as the physical union of the two beings. . Some Sufis have designated the saints who have arrived at the stage of liqā' or who have partaken of it to a degree, as children of God. On account of their having been completely covered by certain Divine attributes, just as a child has some resemblance to his father in respect of his form and features, in the same way, they too, in consequence of having adorned themselves reflectively with certain Divine attributes, acquire some resemblance to the beautiful attributes of God Almighty. Such titles are not commonly used in the idiom of the Shariah, but those invested with the quality of spiritual comprehension have derived them from the Holy Qur'ān; as Allah the Exalted has said: