Extinction is the beginning of the path: it is traveling to God Most High. Guidance comes afterwards. What I mean by guidance is the guidance of God, as described by the Friend of God, Abraham: "Lo! I am going unto my Lord Who will guide me."
Interpretation
The quote posits that extinction leads to a spiritual journey towards divine guidance.
Ibn Ata Allah suggests that the concept of extinction is not an end, but rather a transformative beginning that leads one towards God. This journey is characterized by seeking divine guidance, reminiscent of the journey of Abraham, who was assured of God's guidance as he moved towards a higher spiritual plane.
In practice
In a lecture about spiritual growth, one might use this quote to illustrate the concept of personal transformation.
Whosoever is determined to seek guidance and follow a path of right conduct must search for a shaykh from amongst those who have realization, one who follows a path methodically, who has abandoned his passions, and who has firmly established his feet in the service of his Lord.
Actions are but lifeless forms whose soul is the secret of sincerity in them
God Most High has said, "Is the reward of virtue aught save virtue?" . . . Know, O man, that the covenant of servanthood is incumbent upon you, and that the covenant of Lordship is incumbent upon His magnanimity, as He Most High has said, ". . . and fulfill your covenant, I shall fulfill My covenant."
. . . persist in that invocation until the unity of the world is subsumed for you in a single sphere, so that with the eye of your heart you will see naught in the two worlds save the One.
The most excellent of those who perform good deeds are those who most often remember God in all situations.
If you do not think well of Him because His qualities are beautiful then think well of Him because of the way He treats you.
They change their skies, _x000D_ but not their souls _x000D_ who run across the sea.
I am not a pretty girl. I don't want to be a pretty girl. No, I want to be more than a pretty girl.
All the evidence that we have indicates that it is reasonable to assume in practically every human being, and certainly in almost every newborn baby, that there is an active will toward health, an impulse towards growth, or towards the actualization.
Rather than trying to put an end to Eminem or some other rapper, politicians should think about why they're rapping. It's easier to try to censor some kid who's swearing about poverty than it is to stop the poverty.
Man walks the moon but his soul remains riveted to earth. Once upon a time it was the opposite.
One man's remorse is another man's reminiscence.
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