Allah, Exalted is He, has said: Then We gradually draw it (the extended shadow) towards Ourselves. In this context, the qabḍ (divine contraction) mentioned refers to the zanāʾin maqām (spiritual station) that God has set apart for Himself among the maqāms of the rijālullāh or ahlullāh (the friends of God). There are three groups in this regard: One group God has entirely drawn to Himself with the qabḍ of caution, concealing them from the eyes of the worlds. Another group He has drawn to Himself by concealing them within the libās al-talbis (garment of disguise or covering), casting over them the veil of form, thus hiding them from the eyes of the worlds. Yet another group He has drawn to Himself from their own selves, thereby purifying them from being veiled and concealing them even from themselves. (Manāzil, 41)
This is a particularity exclusive to the ahlullāh (friends of God) whom Allah has protected due to their value in His presence. As the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Among Allah's creation are servants whom He has protected. He has clothed them in radiant lights. They live in ʿāfiyah (well-being) and die in ʿāfiyah. (Ṭabarānī, II, 385; Awsat, VI, 265) (Kāshānī, 164; Jāmiʿ, 88)