Once people saw Rabi'a running with a burning branch clasped in one hand a pail of water in the other. Intrigued, one of them asked, “O lady of the afterlife, where are you going and to do what?"
Rabi'a replied, “I am going to set heaven on fire and extinguish the flames of hell so that those who are seeking God can get over these illusions and clearly realise the true goal. With no other motives, fears or hopes they may seek God as today one can hardly find anyone worshipping God without hopping for heaven and the fearing hell!"
Paradise and hell are mere notions for those who have realised God. They are essentials for the purification of action for those who still have not attained the highest state.
Transcending heaven and hell is to seek God for God's sake alone by those who pine for nothing else than God.
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