Tadhkirah — Page 474
474 forth with it and all of the plains and valleys of the earth would be inundated with blood. In our religion, this deed is counted among those that are a means of attaining qurb [nearness] to Allah the Most Holy. They have been taken to resemble a mount that is like a flash of lightening in its speed and resplendence. It is for this very reason that these slaughtered animals have been given the name qurb a n because it is mentioned in the a ha d i th that they are a means of acquiring qurb [nearness] and communion with God Almighty for all those who offer these sacrifices with sincerity, devotion, and faithfulness. These sacrifices are among the most exalted acts of worship in the Shariah. Hence, the sacrificial animal is called nas i kah. In the Arabic language, the word nusuk denotes submission and worship. Similarly, the word nusuk is also used in the aforementioned language to refer to the sacrifice of those animals whose slaughter has been enjoined by the Shariah. So this commonality of meanings in the word nusuk points out conclusively that a true worshipper and sincere servant is he who “slaughters” his self along with all his faculties, and all of the beloveds who have enamoured him, for the pleasure of the Lord of all creation. Such a one repels his selfish desires with a force that causes them to be totally shattered and annihilated. He himself becomes consumed with no trace left of his self and becomes hidden. The fierce winds of fan a [self-annihilation] blow upon him and the particles of his very being are blown away by the strong gusts of these winds. And anyone who reflects upon the commonality of the two meanings of the word nusuk, and ponders over this station with an awakened heart and open