If khullah (intimate love) is the love that has permeated theb lover's soul and heart, then what is the meaning of "And Allah took Abraham as a Khalil (intimate friend)"? And does the definition of khullah apply to Allah, when there is nothing like Him? And how do we understand Ibn al-Qayyim's saying, "The Khalil (intimate friend) became jealous over his Beloved, lest there be room in His heart for anyone else," knowing that jealousy is a defect in humans?

Deepest love (al-khullah) is the highest form of love. Allah has described Himself as loving the pious and the good-doers. Deepest love (al-khullah) and love (al-mahabbah) are two of His attributes, befitting His greatness and majesty. They are not comparable to the attributes of created beings, for "There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing." Only He, the Almighty, knows their true nature. Ibn al-Qayyim's statement, "So the intimate friend (al-Khalil) became jealous for his intimate friend (Khalil) that there should be a place in his heart for other than Him," means that there should be a place in Abraham's heart for other than Allah. Jealousy is an attribute of Allah. We believe in it and in all of Allah's attributes without likening, without resemblance, without asking how, without allegorical interpretation, and without denial, for "There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing."