Advice for the Muslim

the nafs and get saved from being ghâfil. The sulûk is the first
step to be taken in most ways of tasawwuf, and the two obstacles
are cleared away. Thus the five latîfas of the ’âlam al-amr
become purified, and the nafs gets embellished with good
morals called al-maqâmât al-’ashara. Then the rehber attracts
(jadhb) the sâlik (one busy with sulûk) to Allâhu ta’âlâ. This
sâlik [at this state of jadhba] is called sâlik al-majdhûb. This
progression is called as-sair al-âfâqî, because the rehber
understands the purification of the sâlik by seeing into the ’âlam
al-mithâl. This sair (progression, journey) is full of difficulties
and takes a long time. Allâhu ta’âlâ inspired (ilhâm) Bahâ’ addîn
al-Bukhârî to take jadhba before sulûk. [On his way,] one
first performs -under tawajjuh- dhikr in every latîfa and gets
annihilated in every latîfa. This is called as-sair al-anfusî. Most of
the as-sair al-âfâqî happens along with it. Then comes riyâdât to
purify the nafs and the body. The sâlik at this state is called
majdhûb as-sâlik. This sair is easy and quick. Those who are
deficient and ignorant either do not advance or advance very
little by means of doing ’ibâdât [assigned] by themselves,
because the thawâb for their ’ibâdât is very little. They may
reach only the lowest degree of wilâya after performing ’ibâdât
for fifty years. Hence, wilâya cannot be attained only by
mujâhada (striving) and riyâdât. ’Ibâdât and riyâdât are helpful
if they are compatible with the Sunna. Therefore, it is a must to
abstain from bida’. A hadîth sharîf declares, ‘Words (advice, alamru
bi’l-ma’rûf) one gives but does not do himself are not
acceptable. Deeds done without [a good] resolution are not
acceptable. None of them are acceptable if they are
incompatible with the Sunna.’ That is, none of them deserves
thawâb. ’Ibâdât and riyâdât should not be difficult or strenuous
but in accord with the Sunna.
“Question: ‘It is seen that those who undertake very heavy
riyâdât make good progress and show kashfs and karâmas. How
would you explain this?’
“Answer: Kashf, karâma and success (tasarruf) in worldly
affairs can be obtained by undertaking riyâdât. Ancient Greek
philosophers and Indian priests undertook austerities for this
purpose. Men of Allah do not attach any importance to such
results. It is possible to save the nafs from evils, or to kill the
[inner] satan, only by obeying the Sunna.
“Question: ‘As implied in your answer, no one should become
a walî in those ways of tasawwuf in which only riyâda is
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