The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 99
Faith, Certainty and Insight ond being and then comes the time of: ثُمَّ انْشَانَهُ خَلْقًا اخر 85 99. As this complete effacement is not possible without the help and the special attention of the All-Powerful, therefore this supplication has been taught: 86 اهدنا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَه which means 'Lord! establish us along the straight path and deliver us from every type of misguidance. '. This steadfastness and treading along the straight path, which we are commanded to seek, is a hard enterprise and at first it appears to the seeker like the attack of a lion that must prove fatal. But if the seeker is steadfast and accepts this death, there is no death for him after that. God is too Noble to confront him again with the blazing fires of hell. In short this perfect steadfastness is the fanā [death] which completely demolishes the whole system of the being of a servant of God. He has to withdraw suddenly and totally from every type of desire, lust, design and selfish pursuit. This is the stage where human effort and human striving are in the forefront and all the labours of the saints and the seekers arrive at their climax. Thereafter follow heavenly bounties in which no human effort is involved and God Himself provides a hidden chariot and heavenly charger for viewing the heavenly wonders. . The second step in the progress towards nearness of God is indicated in the verse: 85 'Then we developed it into another creation. '-Al-Mu'minun 23:15 [Publisher] 86 Al-Fatihah, 1:6 [Publisher]