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For the believer the required submission he is expected to show to the will of God, which is the essence of religion, means that he has to come to terms with his ego and with God, with his selfish, worldly desires and the divine command. Baha'is are not enjoined to flee this life as ascetics, but to turn to God, to strive for an inner detachment from everything transitory, and to subordinate their whole lives to their faith. "O Son of Spirit! There is no peace for thee save by renouncing thyself and turning unto Me." "Say: Deliver your souls, O people, from the bondage of self, and purify them from all attachment to anything besides Me." But the self-knowledge and self-conquest required from the believers is rewarded at the end by everlasting happiness: "O My servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you." (Gl ClIII).
(35:1)
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