The most excellent of those who perform good deeds are those who most often remember God in all situations.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and spiritual awareness in performing good deeds.
Ibn Ata Allah's quote suggests that the highest form of goodness is not merely in actions themselves, but in the awareness of a higher power while performing those actions. It implies that true excellence in doing good comes from a consistent remembrance of God, regardless of the circumstances one finds themselves in, thereby elevating the quality and intention behind each deed.
In practice
During a sermon about the importance of spirituality in daily life.
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
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."
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.
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.
PITY, n. A failing sense of exemption, inspired by contrast.
Everybody needs to show respect to each others' ways and the cultural life that you get on this planet. Don't get caught up on 'I'm brown, black, white, red, blue, whatever.' You gotta ask, what were you called before 1492? All these names we're using now are just an illusion made to keep us fighting each other.
It is more important that we should remember God than that we should breathe: indeed, if one may say so, we should do nothing else besides.
Without holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy heaven. Heaven is a holy place. The Lord of heaven is a holy Being. The angels are holy creatures. Holiness is written on everything in heaven... How shall we ever be at home and happy in heaven if we die unholy?
So our human life but dies down to its root, and still puts forth its green blade to eternity.
There is no more great men; there is only great committees.
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