According to Dr ‘Abdul Hayy ‘Aarifi, out of the many deeds to do with the inward state which should be acquired under the supervision of a qualified Shaykh, four of them form the basis of Tasawwuf and they are the very moving spirit and foundation of the Faith as a whole. They are easy to practice under all conditions whether on the go or in relaxation and very effective if one acquires constancy in them. Many evil characteristics will automatically become weakened and many good traits will be strengthened.

الشُّكْر Gratitude
From the moment you wake up look around and acknowledge every blessing, whether worldly or religious and express gratitude and make a resolution of using that blessing in the correct way. Even in adversity, cast a glance at the blessings which surround you despite being undeserving. Gratitude generates love for Allah and relationship with Him is strengthened

اَللّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَلَكَ الشُّكْرُ
Allaahumma lakal hamdu walakash shukr
All praise belongs to Allah. O Allah, for You is all praise and for You, all gratitude

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الصَّبْرPatience
Allah puts man to tests to show the strength of his belief. The inward deed of patience is hard but crucial. To believe that all distress, grief, hardship etc are from Allah and that there is wisdom and mercy in it is a fast working treatment for the shock and for attaining peace of mind and heart in trying circumstances. For patience Allah has promised His company by saying “We are with the patient”

اِنَّا لِلهِ وَاِنَّآ اِلَيْهِ راجِعُوْنَ
Innaa lillaahi wainnaa ilayhi raaji’oon
To Allah we belong and to Him we are sure to return

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الْاِسْتِغْفار Repentance
The human heart is under constant pressure from urges of sinning. How many sins do we commit knowingly and unknowingly? Immediately turn to Allah with regret and remorse and beg forgiveness and have the black spot of sin removed permanently.

اَللّهُمَّ اغْفِرْلى
Allaahummagh firlee
O Allah, forgive me

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الاِسْتِعاضَة Seeking Allah’s Protection
Seeking protection from the unforeseen is just as important whether it be seeking protection from calamities or from sinning, i.e. matters relating to one’s life in this world or one’s faith and the Hereafter. One is often assailed with fears and one should immediately turn to Allah and ask for His protection.


لاحَوْلَ وَلا قُوَّةَ اِلاّ بِاللّهِ لا مَلْجَأَ وَلا مَنْجَأّ مِنَ اللهِ اِلآّ اِلَيْهِ
Laa hawla walaa quwwaata illaa billaahi,
laa malja-a walaa manja-a minallaahi illaa ilayhi
There is no might (to guarantee safety against evil) and there is no power (to help acquire anything good) except with the help of Allah. There is nowhere to go and there is no refuge from Allah unless it be toward Him

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From “A Daily Program of Dhikr and Du’a” by Dr. Muhammad ‘Abdul Hayy ‘Aarifi