The Aim, Purpose & Consequence of Consistent Spiritual Routines

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is taken from “The Aim, Purpose & Consequence of Consistent Spiritual Routines” by Imam ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad (q.s.). 

In “The Book of Assistance”, Imam al-Haddad (q.s.) said that the aim and spirit of spiritual routines, awrad, is presence with Allah (s.w.t.).  As we aim for it; we will reach it only if we travel the road that leads to it, which is performing the external activities and striving to be present with Allah (s.w.t.) during them.  When we persevere in this, we become immersed in the lights of Proximity and the sciences of gnosis emanate upon us, at which our heart becomes wholly intent on Allah (s.w.t.) and presence becomes its nature and well-established quality. 

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said, “Take from actions that which you can sustain, for verily Allah doesn’t tire until you tire.”  This is recorded by Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari (r.a.) and I Imam ‘Asakir ad-Din Abu al-Husayn Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (r.a.) from Sayyidatina ‘Aishah bint Abu Bakr (r.a.).  This means, as Imam Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi (r.a.) explained, that Allah (s.w.t.) does not tire of Rewarding and Accepting our works until we tire of performing them; or that it is not Allah (s.w.t.) Who tires for He is Exalted beyond imperfection, but it is we who do. 

And our Beloved Messenger (s.a.w.) said, “Verily, this religion is ease, and none will make the religion difficult except that it will overwhelm them.  So, remain steadfastly committed; do your best; and be of glad tidings.  And seek assistance in the early mornings; the late afternoons; and something of the depths of the night.”  This is recorded by Imam al-Bukhari (r.a.) and Imam Abu ‘Abd ar-Rahman Ahmad ibn Shu’ayb an-Nasa’i (r.a.) from Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah ‘Abd ar-Rahman ibn Sakhr ad-Dawsi az-Zahrani al-Azdi (r.a.). 

Making the religion difficult is to take on more than one can manage.  Remaining steadfastly committed entails seeking knowledge of who to seek Allah (s.w.t.) how to act per the Prophetic example of excellence, and to strive to act accordingly.  Doing one’s best is to take on what one can sustain; to keep consistent; and to do the best one is able to manage if one cannot do everything completely.  Being of glad tidings entails celebrating the favour of Allah (s.w.t.) having Gifted one with the urge to seek His Pleasure; the knowledge of how His Pleasure is sought; and for inspiring one to act accordingly. 

سُوۡرَةُ یُونس

قُلۡ بِفَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَبِرَحۡمَتِهِۦ فَبِذَٲلِكَ فَلۡيَفۡرَحُواْ هُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّمَّا يَجۡمَعُونَ (٥٨) 

Say: “In the Bounty of Allah and in His Mercy ― in that let them rejoice”: that is better than the (wealth) they hoard. (Surah Yunus:58) 

The three blessed times that are particularly beneficial for spiritual striving are fajr time and after sunrise, when there are few distractions; ‘aswr time, or during and after one’s return from work and a little of the late night, after having slept, tahajjud – the time for true lovers of Allah (s.w.t.) to stand with their Beloved. 

Sincerity is to seek Allah (s.w.t.) Alone in one’s actions.  This meaning is manifest in consistency as it affirms that one acts for the sake of Allah (s.w.t.) whether one has the inclination to or not; and it manifests the trueness of one’s yearning for Allah (s.w.t.).  Consistency also strengthens one’s resolve to seek Allah (s.w.t.); makes one’s efforts add up; changes the heart, polishes it and directs it towards Allah (s.w.t.).  And if one’s seeking becomes consistent, then one will surely find Allah (s.w.t.) and attain unto His Closeness, Love, and Presence. 

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) related that Allah (s.w.t.) Says, “I Am as My servant thinks of Me.  And I am with them when they remember Me.  And, by Allah, Allah Rejoices more in the repentance of His servant than when one of you finds their lost property in a vast space.  Whoever draws close to Me by a hand span, I Draw Close to them by an arm’s length; and whoever draws close to Me by an arm’s length, I Draw Close to them by two arm’s lengths; and whoever directs themselves to Me walking, I Direct Myself to them Running.”  Imam Muslim (r.a.) authenticated this from Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah (r.a.); Imam al-Bukhari (r.a.) mentioned it with similar text.  This means that anything the one does of the good for the sake of Allah (s.w.t.) is Magnified in its Reward and spiritual consequence and that when one’s directing oneself to Allah (s.w.t.) becomes consistent and true, then Allah (s.w.t.) Rushes to one by Granting His Closeness, Love, Beholding, and Concern.  This is found in ‘Ayni, Umdat al-Qari Sharh Swahih al-Bukhari, and others. 

Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal (r.a.) related that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said that Allah (s.w.t.) Says, “O child of Adam!  Stand up for Me, and I will walk towards you. Walk towards Me, and I will rush towards you.”  This is recorded by Imam Ahmad (r.a.) in his Musnad, with a swahih chain of narrators, according to Imam Zaki ad-Din ‘Abd al-‘Azhim ibn ‘Abd al-Qawi al-Mundziri (r.a.) in his Targhib wa at-Tarhib.



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