The intent behind clarifying what I have explained of these watery parables, indications, and proofs that point to these inward meanings is to confirm that the Exalted mentioned nothing in His Mighty Book except for an inward meaning. Just as He (Mighty and Majestic) did not intend by the mention of these acts of worship—which are the Five Limits—except the Inward Meanings and the Luminous Persons, as they are explained in the books of the Monotheists, according to the saying of the Exalted: {Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship} (Al-Baqarah 185).

That is, Allah intends for you Ease, which is the Inward Knowledge (Batin), and He does not inform you of Hardship, which is the Outward Knowledge (Zahir). We have previously stated that the manifest acts of worship, in that they were nothing but manifest images and parables; therefore, it is not permissible for us to believe in or follow them as a religion, for the outward (Zahir) is the evil that is forbidden in all revealed books, just as the inward (Batin) is the good that was commanded by the Exalted in all revealed books and other sayings of the prophets and messengers.

Know, O seeker—may Allah support you—that the performance of the outward forms of these acts of worship and their use in private (khalawat) for education and discipline is obligatory upon us,