23.)What
exactly does the process of initiation or bai’at involve?
Essentially,
initiation is a spiritual contract. On the one hand, the guide is indicating her or his
willingness, if not complete commitment, to helping the seeker, in whatever ways are
possible and permitted by God, to work toward realizing the nature of that person's true
identity and essential spiritual capacity. On the other hand, the would-be initiate is
indicating his or her willingness, if not complete commitment, to try to follow, and act
in accordance with -- to whatever extent permitted by Allah, the teachings and counsel of
the shaykh.
There are
no guarantees of salvation or mystical success which can be given at the time of
initiation. Initiation is but a door of spiritual opportunity.
Standing
before this threshold is not enough. One must, God willing, take steps to cross this
threshold of opportunity, as well as to explore the possibilities, face the challenges,
and overcome the obstacles which one may encounter on the other side of the doorway of
initiation.
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