The Road of the Seeker

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Shaykh Muhammad Januwn al-Hasani at-Tijani (q.s.) said, “Know that the road that leads to the Presence of Allah is one only; however, it differs according to a seeker’s natural disposition, spirituality, strength, and weakness, will power, and his manner of approaching Allah.  Some seekers will possess the best of all these qualities while others will have some only. 

Know also that if a seeker is of sound disposition, then his nafs will be safe from corrupt thoughts and evil ideas.  Its journey will be a pleasant one as it will be carried on a comfortable vehicle of transport that moves obediently and fast, brings you closer to your destination and does not waver from its direction.  However, if one is of corrupt disposition, then it will be the opposite.  The path for such a person will be very rough and difficult to traverse. 

Know also that the motivation for traveling on his journey is very important.  If that motivation is there, then all the difficulties of the journey are made easy by it.  On the other hand, if that motivation is not there, then the journey becomes very difficult.  For the passionate lover never considers the land of his sweetheart to be far.  Even if it were far, his yearning and desire make it near. 

Know as well that if the spirituality of the seeker is weak, then carnal desires take control of his journey, which then seems very dark and dangerous.  He then stops the journey in the middle or right at the beginning.  On the other hand, if the seeker’s spirituality is strong, then his journey will be an ideal one and he will gain what he was seeking. 

I ask Allah to Assist and Guide.”