Inner Transformation, Not Outward Force

The great saint Rabia said, “I don’t desire heaven, and I don’t fear hell,” a well-known iconic statement. What’s it mean? In the understanding of things at the end of times, people are going to be doing things for two reasons and two reasons only. They are going to be looking for rewards, a desire for reward, and in response to fear of punishment. So, the motivations for people’s acts are going to be getting what they want and not being punished. Well, what Rabia is saying is that she doesn’t care about reward or punishment. She’s not afraid of hell, and she doesn’t desire heaven.