One attains something and then loses it.
Love, however, has another meaning: First of all, the lover (ʿāshiq) belongs to his own essence, and the beloved (maʿshūq) also belongs to his own essence. One may or may not fall in love with someone other than Him. However, this does not mean that one cannot fall in love with anyone other than Him. Rather, He is the One who is loved for His own essence. Many things are like this; it is nothing else. (Ishārāt, IV, 41)
I heard that Abū ʿAlī al-Daqqāq, distinguishing between shawq (longing) and ishtiyāq (yearning), said: Shawq finds tranquility through union and vision, whereas ishtiyāq does not end with union. ... When Ibn ʿAtāʾ was asked what shawq is, he replied: It is the burning of the inner being, the ignition of the qalb (the heart), and the tearing apart of the liver. Then they asked which is superior, shawq or maḥabba (love). He answered: Maḥabba is superior, because shawq is born from maḥabba.
A Sufi has also said: Shawq is a flame that arises in the heart due to separation. When union (wuṣla) occurs, it is extinguished; if the state of witnessing the Beloved prevails in the hearts, then at that time, shawq cannot find a way to it. (Qushayrī, 161)
I heard Sari say: If the ʿārif (gnostic) can realize it, his highest maqām (spiritual station) is shawq. When he realizes the maqām of shawq, he is freed from longing for anything that would occupy him, and he longs only for the Beloved whom he has yearned for.
Abū ʿUthmān al-Ḥīrī, regarding the verse, "The appointed term set by Allah will surely come" (cf. al-Aʿrāf 7:34), says: This verse is a consolation for the possessors of ishtiyāq. Its meaning is this: I know that your ishtiyāq for Me has overcome you. I have only postponed your union for a while. But soon you will reach that for which you feel ishtiyāq. (Qushayrī, 162)
Allah the Exalted has said: Whoever hopes for the meeting with Allah—(let him know that) Allah's appointed time is surely coming. (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:5)