■ The Importance of Purification of the Soul
The entire world and everything in it has been created for the benefit of humans, such that if any one thing were missing, some human need would be affected. However, humans were not created for anything in this world. If humans were to cease to exist, nothing in the world would be harmed or missing. This teaches us that just as a stable and its provisions are for the horse, yet the horse is only meant for the rider, similarly, the entire universe—earth, sky, plants, and stones—is for the comfort of humans. But humans themselves were created only for the worship and servitude of their Creator, Allah ﷻ.
For worship, two things are necessary:
(1) Knowledge of the way of worship, which is called Ilm (knowledge).
(2) Interest, enthusiasm, and passion for worship, which is called Tazkiyah, Tasawwuf (spiritual purification), or Islah-e-Batin (purification of the soul). This involves cleaning the heart, separating from bad traits, and developing a love for good.
The first is gained through learning and teaching in religious institutions, and this is called Shari’ah (Islamic law). The second is acquired by being in the company of the pious, following the path of the Ahl Allah (people of Allah), and this is called Tariqah (spiritual path). In reality, Tariqah is the spirit and essence of Shari’ah—the true treasure. Without it, even with knowledge, actions would be ineffective, or they may be dull and temporary, while the inner and outer world remains unsatisfactory.
The ultimate purpose of human life is the connection with Allah ﷻ, which drives the actions of knowledge and the obedience and worship of the Supreme Lord, the Most Wise and Just.
Source:
Author Name: Sufi Muhammad Hussain (Khalifa of Maulana Abdurehman Raypuri), Book Name: Tazkiya Nafs ma Islah-e-Haal, Maqadama: Maulana Abdul Qayyum Haqqani, Nazar-e-Thaani: Maulana Muhammad Zaman Kalachwi, al-Qasim Academy, Jamia Abu Hurraira, ● Posted by FJ in FB 17.11.24
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 