What is meant by intimacy with Allah, and how is it achieved? Is it permissible to supplicate to Allah without raising one's hands and to address Him in colloquial language with humility and reverence, complaining of worry and grief, and speaking to Him about what transpired during the day, and is this considered intimacy?

The signs of a sound heart are the continuous remembrance and service of Allah, and not finding solace in other than Him, except in those who guide to Him. Solace in Allah is an emotional state that leads to delighting in the worship of the Most Merciful and longing for Him, and it is the sweetest thing in this world. It is a great station among the stations of Ihsan (perfection), generated from the stations of مراقبة (observance) and مشاهدة (contemplation). Observance is the certainty that Allah is aware of His servant, and contemplation is witnessing the effects of Allah's Names and Attributes in the universe. Both lead to closeness to Allah and solace in Him. The strength of solace follows the strength of proximity. Solace in Allah is achieved by understanding the meanings of His Names and Attributes and interacting with them with love and hope. Solace in Allah is the fruit of obedience; the obedient finds solace, while the disobedient feels alienated. The righteous predecessors longed for acts of obedience due to their solace in Allah.