In Sufi terminology, ghayrah refers to the intense devotion and protective concern of the lover for the beloved. It is categorized into two forms: Divine ghayrah (Ilahi ghayrah ) and human ghayrah (bashari ghayrah ).
Imam Qushayri [rahimahullah] explains these two aspects as follows:
"Allah’s ghayrah towards His servant is that He does not leave him to the creation, nor does He allow him to become attached to them. The servant’s ghayrah is that he does not expend his states and breaths on anything other than Allah."
Similarly, Imam Shibli [rahimahullah] states:
"There are two types of ghayrah : human ghayrah , which is directed toward people, and Divine ghayrah, which manifests in the rejection of anything that distracts from Allah."
The concept of Ghayratullah is that He does not accept His servant directing worship or devotion to anything other than Him. He prohibits shirk and disapproves of harm coming to His beloved servants. The servant’s ghayrah , on the other hand, is to seek only the pleasure of Allah, purifying his intentions, concealing his spiritual states, and safeguarding his love for Him.
The Messenger of Allah [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] elaborates on this in a hadith:
"Allah is Ghayur (supremely protective over His sacred limits), and the believer too has ghayrah . Allah’s ghayrah manifests in His forbidding of all that leads to corruption and sin." (Bukhari)
In another narration, he states:
"There is none more Ghayur than Allah, and it is because of this that He has prohibited all forms of immorality, both hidden and apparent." (Muslim)
This does not imply human-like jealousy but rather Allah’s absolute transcendence and mercy. He desires only goodness for His servants and, in His wisdom, has set clear boundaries of what is pleasing and what is displeasing. The fact that He informs humanity of these matters is itself a manifestation of His divine compassion.
Sari al-Saqati [quddisa sirruhu] upon hearing the verse:
"When you recite the Qur’an, We place an invisible veil between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter." (Al-Isra 45) asked:
- Do you know what this veil refers to?
Then he answered:
- It is the veil of Divine ghayrah , for there is none more Ghayur than Allah.
Imam Qushayri [quddisa sirruhu] further explains this verse:
"We place Our divine protection over you, draw a veil around you, and prevent the sinful from harming you."
Thus, Allah, in His supreme wisdom and mercy, safeguards His beloved servants from harm and evil. Even apparent tribulations, when viewed with the eye of certainty, are infused with hidden mercy and divine wisdom. The martyrs, for example, are promised immense rewards, to the extent that they would long to return to this world to attain martyrdom again and again.
Furthermore, Allah does not wish for His beloved servants to allow competing affections to take root in their hearts. He desires that their hearts remain solely devoted to Him.
Abu Ali al-Daqqaq [quddisa sirruhu] states:
"Allah places the shackles of khizlan (the withdrawal of divine assistance) upon those who are negligent in worship and abandon spiritual discipline. He distances them from His nearness and does not permit them to draw close."
When a servant erects barriers between himself and Allah through sin, neglecting the path that leads to both worldly and eternal felicity, Allah withholds His divine aid. This is known as hizlan—the deprivation of divine support due to persistent disobedience.
Dhun-Nun al-Misri [rahimahullah] clarifies the connection between Allah’s ghayrah and His prohibition of befriending His enemies:
"Allah’s prohibition against loving His enemies is not due to any form of jealousy as humans understand it. Rather, it is because He wishes to distinguish His beloved ones from the rebellious so that they do not suffer the same fate."
Ghayrah is thus the reflection of a heart devoted solely to Allah, flourishing in His love, and recognizing none but Him as Lord. It is the unwavering commitment to seeking His pleasure in every action.
However, Allah’s ghayrah is distinct from that of His servants. His divine concern for His creation is free from need or emotion. His ghayrah signifies His exclusive right to be worshipped, His command that His servants seek help only from Him, and His prohibition against sin.
Just as love necessitates ghayrah , where there is true devotion, there will be vigilance in preserving its purity.
