According to the jurists (fuqahāʾ), the establishment of erasure (maḥw) referred to as naskh (abrogation) is a divine naskh. In this naskh, Allah removes and annihilates that which He has established and brought into existence as its possessor. The erasure of rulings (aḥkām) is the expiration of the term (lifespan) of that ruling; the erasure of things is the end of their appointed duration. For Allah the Exalted has said: "Everything runs its course for a specified term" (al-Raʿd 13:2). A ruling continues until a specified time, then it is abrogated, but the thing itself remains. For Allah the Exalted has said: "For a specified term..." When the duration of a ruling reaches its appointed time, even if the thing itself remains, its (duration) can no longer continue. Unlike particular matters pertaining to divine command, Allah abrogates customs (ʿādāt). Customs are abrogated, some from their outward aspect, some from their inward aspect, yet the attributes of customs remain upon that thing, or upon the qalb (the heart), or upon the person. This state is like the occurrence of alteration (masḥ) in hearts; although there is erasure, there is the illusion of perfection (kamāl). (Futūḥāt, II, 542)
Some among them say: The form of the species must be preserved in individuals. The nafs (the lower self) passes from one human only to the body of another human. According to them, this kind of transference is called naskh... (Rawḍa, 210)
(See also: maḥw-isbāt/nafy-isbāt; tanāsukh)
The origins of supererogatory acts are seen
in all obligatory acts
when compared with light
the obligatory is like the body
the supererogatory is from the surplus
like the shadow of the obligatory
it appears with its forms
on the Day of Reckoning it returns to the obligatory
like its likeness
A hadith has come
to explain its virtue in the religion
to separate its essence from its branch
know that when you fulfill them
your Lord has separated and preserved their results
thus your Lord
they become your strengths
take handfuls from its branches
so that you may receive its abundant grace
May Allah support you with the Rūḥ al-Qudus (the Holy Spirit), know that, in the divine station, the supererogatory acts...