radiant with guidance, goodness, and mercy; Allah thereby grants him the finest of lives and the lasting, righteous deeds.

Let us now begin to set out the maxims and regulating principles in a concise form that achieves the intended goal. Once the door has been opened for a servant, the means clarified through understanding the principle, and he has practiced with a number of illustrative examples that reveal its path and method, he has no need for lengthy elaboration or excessive detail. We ask Allah to sustain us with His help, gentleness, and success, and to make us—by His grace, generosity, and kindness—guiding and rightly guided.