Moreover, the pleasure that the apple gives is very limited and passes quickly. After the apple is eaten it is gone, only regret remains.

As for the second love, it is for the royal favor that is demonstrated by means of the apple. One who holds the apple precious as if it were the sample and embodiment of a royal favor shows that he loves his king. Moreover, the pleasure in that fruit, which is a sort of container for the favor, is such that it is far greater than the pleasure obtained from a thousand apples. This pleasure, then, is the essence of thankfulness. This love is a respectful love for the king.

In exactly the same way, if all bounties and fruits are loved for themselves, if they are thoughtlessly delighted in only for the material pleasures that they yield, that love is merely love of self. Also, those pleasures are transient and bring pain. But, if they are loved as favors proceeding from Almighty Allah’s mercy and as fruits of His munificence, and if pleasure is obtained from them with good appetite by appreciating the degree of kindness in that munificence and favor, then it has both the meaning of gratitude and is a pain-free pleasure.

There are levels in the love for Allah Almighty’s Names. As we explained above, sometimes the Names are loved with a love for finely made objects.