The Path of Sufism

Allah says in Hadith-e-Qudsi, "I created some of My servants for my Zat (Essence)." In order to reach Allah's Essence the first requirement is the intention to surrender to Allah. This means that your first priority should be Allah, your second priority, Allah, your third priority, Allah, and on ad infinitum. Your relationship with others has to depend on this relationship. For the sake of Allah, you love me. For the sake of Allah, I love you.

Another element is humility. How can you reach Allah if you are not humble? When you are arrogant or full of pride, you are making your nafs (self, ego) God. With this attitude you will get nothing and in the end you are back where you started and not closer to Allah. Humility is not looking down on the ants and thinking how big you are, but looking up at the mountains and seeing how small you are.

The backbone of reaching Allah is Truth. We must lay the foundations of our actions on the Truth, not on illusions. The Prophet Muhammad (saws) was asked a question once, and he said "I'll tell you tomorrow." He was expecting to speak to the angel Gabriel, who was going to give him the answer. For ten days Gabriel didn't show up. And finally Allah said, "Say 'Inshallah' (If Allah wills)." When the Prophet (saws) said, "If Allah wills, I shall answer you," he received his answer. There is no guarantee that one's expectation will be fulfilled. One must surrender, submit to the will of Allah.

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