When one first awakens from error, wakefulness enters into him and that is the grace of God It is the pure gift of God’s grace. If this were not so, why then did it not descend on those other friend who were the companions of Muhammad?

Grace and rebuke is like sparks of fire that leap up and fly out of the flame. At first the spark is a gift. But when you add cotton to it and nurse that spark along making it spread, the spark becomes grace and rebuke. In the first instance, man is small and weak: For man was created a weakling [4:28] But like a fire, when you have nursed that weakling flame it becomes huge. It engulfs the world and sets the universe aflame. That little fire becomes great and mighty: Thou art if a noble disposition [68:4].

‘Our master loves you very much,’ I said.
‘Neither my coming here or my speaking is commensurate with my love,’ the master replied, ‘I say whatever comes into me. If God wills, He will make these paltry words worthwhile and house them within your breast, yielding mighty benefits. If He does not so desire, granted though a hundred thousand words may be spoken, they will not find lodging within your heart. They will pass away and soon be forgotten. They will be like a spark of fire that falls upon a dry rag. If God wills, that one spark will take hold and spread and become a conflagration. But if He wills it not, a hundred sparks may fall on that dry rag but they will all go out. They will not leave a trace.’

-Jalal al-Din Rumi