which predominates among the elect in general, for God is in the worshipper’s direction of prayer.
As for the reverence of the great who have joined the highest assembly, it comes from true self-disclosure. They are constant in their prayer even when they eat, drink, marry, and trade. God Most High commanded them, when in such a state, to seek help through prayer and patience in it. The worshipper converses intimately with his Lord. When the servant abides constantly in the place of intimate converse with his Lord, reverent shame before God becomes inseparable from him. He cannot command anyone to righteousness and forget himself in it. He begins with himself.
Righteousness is doing good and showing kindness. One instance is when a person needs a morsel to eat and sees another who needs it equally. He gives it to the other and forgets himself, though his Lord has told him, “Begin with yourself.” He has prescribed this even in supplication. When he asks God for someone, beginning with himself is more fitting.
Acts of obedience are the food of spirits, which need them. Commanding obedience is one of their acts of obedience. This heedless person, with little reverent shame before God, stands up and commands another to righteousness while himself living in wickedness. He forgets himself and does not command his own soul to it. He is like someone who feeds another and leaves himself unfed though in the greatest need of that food. His own soul has a stronger claim upon him than the other person. The reason for this is what I will explain to you, God willing.
