Magnetism can be explained as affinity, which has power of attraction, it attracts its own element. This affinity may manifest in any aspect in the world of things and beings. It is the power of this affinity which has held the whole universe together. The atoms of water held together make the sea and the atoms of earth held together form the land. So it is with each element and every being. Had it not been for this affinity, the whole universe would have broken to pieces. The stronger part attracts the weaker, and that is why God, the One and Only Power of this affinity, is considered as the Beloved because He attracts all to Himself.

Some call Him the Lover, for He loves His manifestation. But in reality this affinity itself becomes Love, Lover and Beloved, and is idealized by the wise as God, the Only Being. The subject of Love, Lover and Beloved which is most found in the Sufi literature, only reveals the above mentioned fact. That is why the Sufis have worshipped the beauty in nature, the full moon, the rising sun, the rose gardens, the fragrance of the flower and the color of the leaf, and the wine of love, youth, beauty and the Beloved. That, which the ascetics have rejected by self-renunciation, afraid of being tempted or deluded, the Sufi has embraced, recognizing all beauty, from the unseen to the seen, from spirit to matter, all names and forms are nothing but the symbol of God, and thus he worships them in all aspects, high and low, good and bad.

The reason why the magnet attracts the steel is because it has the element of steel within it, as well as more energy. If the steel had more energy, it would have attracted the magnet. Such is the case with everything. The tree attracts the rain, and in the desert there is hardly a shower. This shows that trees have in them the element of water which attracts water and the desert has not this quality.

The same is the case with a person who may attract many, and may be attracted by someone. In another case a person may become an object of attraction to some and a subject hate to others. In both these cases it should be understood that the person who has attracted many, has done so by that attribute which he possesses in a stronger degree than others, and in the other case where he is attracted he may be weaker in that aspect of energy.

In other words a singer who may win the applause of thousands may be carried away by the verse of a poet. The attraction between things and beings, as the fondness for diamond, ruby, fruit and flower, dog and cat etc., as well as the attraction of the sexes, this is all based upon the law of attraction. This explains the mystery why independence or exclusiveness has so great a power of attraction, because it represents strength. God is the center of attraction for the whole world, and its proof is no other than His independence and remoteness. Abstinence, seclusion, silence, concentration, perseverance, perfection, dignity, self-respect, modesty, thoughtfulness, gentleness, mildness, meekness, and cheerfulness, all these help personal magnetism.

The law of attraction has much to do with the principle of harmony. No matter how unattractive people may be, yet a group where they are all of the same element, they attract each other. Seeing this the Sufi attunes himself to the same key in which another person, with whom he may come in contact, may be.

Magnetism is either inherited or developed. In both cases it is energy, from which magnetism is created by balanced development. If a person has magnetism as an inborn attribute, it is a great assistance to him in his spiritual progress; if it is not innate it takes much effort to cultivate it. Yet everybody has power of magnetism to a greater or lesser degree.

There are five aspects of magnetism, which manifest through the various planes of existence.

Physical magnetism which depends upon the physical system, the circulation of the blood and a balanced development of the muscles together with cleanliness of the body both internally and externally, and the refinement of movements, pose and posture. During childhood the freshness of the body together with innocence has attraction and during youth its development is attractive, during middle age the cultivation of mind has the power of attraction. But in old age, neither freshness nor development of the body remains the same, nor does the power of mind. If then there is any attraction it is only the illumination of the soul which has a great magnetic influence over man's surroundings. If this is absent, then nothing remains for him in life, and he becomes a burden both to himself and others.
Mental magnetism, which depends on the power and harmony of thought. This can be obtained by being fully absorbed in beautiful and harmonious thoughts, and by suppressing all irritable tendencies, such as anger, passion, greed, attachment, jealousy and pride. The reason why an artist, poet, musician and sculptor, or a thinker proves to have a more arresting personality than a politician or a businessman is because his interest keeps his mind absorbed in the thought of beauty, love, and harmony. While several other occupations of life distract the mind from these thoughts. Just like physical culture brings new life to the body, so in the same way thought culture brightens one's personality.
Magnetism of heart is a still greater and more miraculous magnetism. If the heart is tuned properly by kindness and love then magnetism itself gushes out and attracts every being coming in contact.

There is a well-known story of Halim, the most eminent Sufi of the past, who became so well-known that the world began to revere him for his generosity and love. Once the King of Persia became jealous of him, seeing him so adored by everybody, and he promised the chief of the assassins some part of his territory if he would cut off the head of Halim and bring it to him. The assassin left this country with great pleasure expecting the reward. After many days' journey he arrived in the city where Halim lived. Halim, as was his custom, went to see if there were any stranger in the city whom he might in any way assist.

It chanced that evening that he met the assassin, and seeing him, a stranger, he invited him to stay the night with him as his guest. He brought him to his house. The guest was quite touched with the hospitality and kindness which he received. The next day when morning broke and everybody began to go about on his daily pursuits, Halim very kindly asked his guest if he would stay with him until he had become familiar with the city, and if he could help him in any way with any matter that he wished to accomplish. The guest said, "but you are too kind to be able to help me in my purpose." Halim answered, "but you can tell me and I will try my best to at least advise you."

The man softly whispered, "I have come here to cut off the head of Halim and take it to my king. For doing so I am promised a large portion of territory and if you will help me in this I will give you also a share." Halim answered, "O, it is very easy, I thought you had something more difficult." He entered the house and fetched his shining sword, giving it into his hand, he said, "Here is the sword and this is the head of Halim." The would-be assassin was so startled to see that such persons are really living on this earth, who are ready to sacrifice their life for others, when he, the most cruel of men, had come to take the life of such a person for a transitory reward. He knelt at the feet of Halim and broke into emotion and said, "I would rather prefer to be thy slave, than to have the territory of the king."

Such is the magnetism of the heart. When the heart is developed with love, it wins God as well as man.

Spiritual magnetism is produced in man when he, at the command of his own will, becomes absorbed in the abstract, making his senses controlled and inactive, enjoying the undertone of the universe on which all the music of the universe is based. When he views the light of God within himself the forms of this world are nothing but its shadows. Then he becomes that which he sees beyond the body, mind and heart.. Thus he rejoices in ecstasy and feels one with the whole universe, harmonious with friend and foe, tolerant to good and bad alike, innocent towards high and low. This state of ecstasy then attracts just like an electric current all who may come in contact with him either consciously or unconsciously.
Divine magnetism is still greater. It does not only attract man, but both beasts and birds, Peris, Houris, Jinns and Angels. Even things are attracted by it. For the person becomes the center for all attraction. To this thorough perfection a person can only come by renunciation and annihilation of the individual self. The Sufis call this state Kutubiyat. With this are crowned the most chosen ones of God. There are five grades of annihilation and in each grade a new step on the path of perfection is taken, until one arrives at the last grade called Rasul, complete annihilation in God, the Only Being. God bless you.