Absolute Detachment as the Result of Complete Submission

The result of complete submission to the sacred realm of lordship is absolute detachment from everything other than God. One who, in their perfect witnessing, sees the submission of all beings and says, “I submit to the Lord of the worlds” (Aslamtu li-Rabbi l-ʿālamīn), does not rely on or seek refuge in anyone other than Him. This is because they see everyone, like themselves, as submissive and obedient to God, and know that none can accomplish anything, as the reins of all are in His hands: “To God belong the armies of the heavens and the earth”(292).

The reason why a drowning and needy person who has not attained the station of trust, contentment, and absolute submission clings to every lifeline is that they imagine that lifeline to be firm and attached to something, capable of saving them. However, if they knew that everyone is drowning like them in this sea and no one has the power to swim or save, they would not rely on anyone but God.

Some believe that when Abraham (a.s.) was at the point of death, he saw Azrael as a veil and said, “One who sees Gabriel as a veil for salvation from fire will also see Azrael as a veil.” That noble figure was only waiting for the command without any veil:

In both worlds, to whom would I give my life / except to Him who speaks, and this is enough.(293)