First is the negation of evil attributes and then the adoption of noble attributes; first is the negation of falsehood and then the adoption of goodness. Shaykh ul Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir ul Qadri
No act of worship can enlighten your heart and mind or bring you closer to Almighty Allah if evil attributes such as lying, pride, and envy still exist in your life. Speech of Shaykh ul Islam

Introduction:

The journey towards Almighty Allah is not a random pursuit but a disciplined path based on profound spiritual principles. To become a true traveler (wayfarer) and achieve nearness to the Creator, one must understand that everything in spirituality follows a specific order and priority. Without following this order, a seeker may achieve nothing; however, by enlightening the inner self and the soul through the correct method, one can experience true proximity to Allah.

The Principle of Negation and Adoption:

The foundation of spiritual travel lies in the principle of “Negation before Adoption”. This is beautifully illustrated in the Kalimah: “لا إلهَ” (there is no god) precedes “إلا الله” (except Allah). This means that a seeker must first remove false gods, evil desires, and falsehood from their heart before they can truly adopt the noble attributes of goodness and divine presence.

Purification from Evil Attributes:

A crucial step in this journey is the elimination of destructive internal traits, such as envy (حسد), miserliness, pride (كِبر), arrogance, and self-conceit. These attributes are barriers to enlightenment; no act of worship can truly illuminate the heart as long as these “condemnables” exist within a person. A liar, an oppressor, or a deceitful person cannot attain the friendship and nearness of Almighty Allah until they purify their character.

Adorning the Soul with Virtue:

Once the heart is cleansed of evil, it must be beautified with noble attributes such as truthfulness, generosity, sincerity, humility, mercy, and forgiveness. These virtues are not just traits but are the very elements that transform a person's conduct and mind, marking the first real steps in the path of “illallah”. This stage-by-stage progression is what defines the spiritual path (Tariqat).

The Standard of a True Wayfarer:

To be a genuine wayfarer, one must go beyond the bare minimum. While the five daily prayers and mandatory fasting are essential for every Muslim, the traveler strives for the most meritorious practices and the highest spiritual values. This requires striving hard (مجاهدة) and adopting the best aspects of spiritual conduct to move beyond mandatory limits into the realm of excellence.

Patience and the Power of Intention:

The spiritual journey does not have a fixed timeframe; it is measured by the purity and capacity of the individual. For some, a stage might take years, while others might cross it in a month, depending on their struggle. Ultimately, the acceptance of every step is determined by the purity of intention, as purity is the ultimate source of spiritual strength and energy.

Conclusion:

In summary, the secret to becoming close to Allah lies in a systematic process of internal reform. It begins with the negation of evil attributes and the cleansing of the heart, followed by the adoption of divine virtues and meritorious acts that go beyond the obligatory. This journey requires immense patience, steadfastness, and above all, an unwavering purity of intention. By following this divine order, a seeker can transform his inner self and attain the ultimate goal of spiritual proximity to the Almighty.

Blogger: Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chishti (Research Scholar)