Allah ta'ala has instilled within the human being, the desire for progression and self-enhancement. Man always seeks to rise above, whether it's seeking a better job or a promotion, etc. In order to attain this, he studies the points, adopts the means and follows a certain criteria. Only after doing so, he notices successful improvement.
Similarly, we are also travelling upon a path, which is the path of attaining Allah's nearness. If one does not possess the desire nor passion to improve, it means that his love for Allah and striving for His nearness is not genuine. Moreover, if we are not improving within ourselves, we are lacking, so we should ponder over our personal states and the cause behind this hindrance.
On this path, we will face problems and losses, but in reality they are not losses. For example, we may face rejections from proposals due to practicing deen. The one who adheres to this path regardless of the struggles he faces, is the successful one because such an individual understands that this is all part of his promotion on this path. He is an example of one who has passed this test.
Some people desire all the doors of the world to open for them and to receive everything they desire at their disposal. They expect ease in their lives due to their obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
In reality, we do not live according to our own desires and choices. We must obey Allah ta’ala and follow His choice despite our own desires remaining unfulfilled. When we live such a life, then we will receive paradise, wherein we will live according to our own choices and desires.
Nabi ﷺ has said that every believer should aim to spend each day better than the previous day. Spiritual improvement should always be there otherwise one falls into loss.
One may have desires for spiritual success and elevation, but such desires are not the objective or the end point. They are the means. Our ultimate objective is Allah ta’ala and attaining His pleasure.
The pious people have passed through this journey and have surpassed the ranks in attaining Allah's nearness, so they are able to provide us authentic information of the route, as well as the points and criteria which we need to follow. The Mashãikh teach this subject to their students.
My beloved Sheikh mentioned that one’s advancement and promotion is based upon his love and connection with his Sheikh and not via actions of worship. The more one strengthens this connection, the more one's blessing, status and faiz will be increased and the more he will improve.
There is no greater knowledge than the knowledge of Tasawwuf. This subject is not acquired from books or institutions, rather, it is acquired from the company of the pious elders. The teaching methodology in this subject is also unique. It is incomparable to other forms of knowledge and the students who tread this path are also unique.
In Madãris, when a student of knowledge learns the skill of debating and he questions his teacher, it is considered a commendable action and the student is considered intellectual. However, on the path of Tasawwuf, when the Sālik questions his Sheikh and challenges him, then it is considered disrespectful. Rather a Sãlik must accept and believe in his Sheikh in order to advance spiritually and gain maximum benefit. The greatest advancement is for the one who listens and obeys. He is considered the best student.
Naturally, the love for Allah overtakes all other love and even through our love for our Sheikh, we seek Allah's love. We do not commit actions for our Sheikh nor do serve him in order to please him. Rather, he is the means of attaining Allah ta'ala's love.
Our objective in life isn't to recite the Quran nor to visit the Ka'bah. Our true purpose is to attain Allah's pleasure through these means. Similarly, through a Sheikh’s company, one attains Allah's nearness. So in reality, the actions of a believer, are driven by the love for Allah.
The concept of Nikah is such that a man marries a strange woman by taking the name of Allah, due to which, for lifelong, all other relations appear insignificant in front of this union which the couple form. The husband and wife are joint together due to the pact they made through Allah's name. These are worldly matters.
But when it comes to matters of the Hereafter and one's connection with his Sheikh, the pact is such that, not only is Allah's name taken, rather the Sheikh introduces the student to Allah ta'ala Himself and guides him to Allah's nearness. Imagine this type of love!
Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu anhu reported that Nabi ﷺ said, “When the human being dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.” [Saḥīḥ Muslim]
People depart from us but Allah ta'ala has created a methodology for us to have a connection with them. When you supplicate for the deceased and send good deeds as Sadaqah Jariyah for them, then it is presented as a light which serves as provision for them in their graves.
So we should make it a habit to remember our deceased and send them reward so they can also become elevated and promoted after having departed.
Our objective of living is to attain Allah's pleasure, due to which we are in need of the connection with a Sheikh. We must maintain and strengthen this connection whether our Sheikh is alive or has departed from us, as one's spiritual connection is strengthened even more after the passing of the his Sheikh and in the Hereafter, one will be connected with whom he loves. Thus, this special relationship is not restricted to the world and never becomes terminated.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to take maximum benefit from these precious pearls.
