The Secrets of Spiritual Success: Worship, Divine Friendship, and the Awliya

Do This at Least Once in Your Life

Perform ghusl, wear clean clothes, and offer four rak‘ahs in such a manner as they deserve to be offered. Then place your face upon the ground in a place where no one besides Allah Almighty can see you. Then place dust upon your head and cover your face, the most honored of all your limbs, with soil. Do so in such a way that tears Flow from your eyes, your heart is immersed in grief, your voice is raised while your call remains soft, and as much as possible, remember each sin individually while reproaching and shaming yourself. Scold your nafs and say: “O Self Ego or Soul (Nafs)! Are you not ashamed? Can y ou not repent? Do you have the strength to bear the punishment of Allah Almighty? Do you wish to displease Allah Almighty?” Continue crying in this way, then stretch your hands in the court of your Most Merciful Lord and say: “O, my Lord! Your runaway slave has presented himself at your door. Your disobedient servant has returned seeking reconciliation. Your sinful servant seeks forgiveness from You. O, my Lord! Forgive me through Your generosity and accept me through Your grace. Shower me with Your merciful gaze. O, my Lord! Forgive my previous sins and protect me from sins in the life ahead. Indeed, all goodness is in Your control, and You are the Most Merciful and Kind toward us.

How the Heart Becomes Attached to Worship

Hazrat Sayyiduna Salman al Farsi (رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ) said: “When a servant becomes detached from the world, his heart becomes illuminated with wisdom, and his limbs become helpers in worship.” Hold firmly onto this statement.

The Enemy of a Friend

The world is the enemy of Allah Almighty, while you are among those who love Allah Almighty; and the one who loves someone hates his enemy.

The Status of the Awliya-e-Kiram رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ

As for becoming detached even from halal things, this is the quality of the Abdal (the Awliya Kiram رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ ). Even from halal things, they take only what is necessary. As for haram, in their sight it is like fire, let alone taking it, even the thought of it does not enter their hearts.