From the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah)

The one and only way to success in both worlds is to act upon the complete Deen and this is only possible for one who has attained purification of the self. This is the reason for Allah Ta’aalaa taking a string of oaths before declaring,

“Qad aflaha man zakkaahaa”

For a person who spends time in the company of the pious, the realisation will dawn that within me lie many evil traits. The verse,

“Qad aflaha man zakkaahaa, wa khaaba man dassaahaa”

will create a fikr in him to purify himself of these evil traits. Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi used to say that the longing created in the heart for purification is the first step to success.

For the purification process (tazkiyah), a guide or a Shaykh is absolutely necessary. Just as specialist advice is required in all walks of life, similarly cure of spiritual illnesses will only come with the disclosure of every aspect of our illness to the Shaykh and thereafter following his instructions. The Shaykh is the guide but the effort/Mujaahadah (i.e. to force one’s self into obedience of Allah’s commands and to refrain from all disobedience) is from us. Mujaahadah is not about eating daal and leaving aside biryani or using cold water when hot water is available. It is to strive to obey each and every command of Allah Ta’aalaa, and to refrain from all disobedience. Remember that Allah Ta’aalaa would not order us to refrain from impermissible acts if it was beyond our control. Mujaahadah should first be made on the compulsory acts and then progress on to the optional worship. This will lead to increase in proximity to Allah Ta’aalaa and the Hadith e Qudsi will become a reality wherein Allah Ta’aalaa says,

“…and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it…”

Tazkiyah is the objective and tazkiyah is only possible with mujaahadah and to support the mujaahadah two things are necessary, first is to be in contact with a Shaykh and second, make abundant zikr. Before tazkiyah obedience is a struggle but after tazkiyah obedience becomes second nature and this obedience to the complete Deen will lead to success in both worlds.

May Allah Ta’aalaa make us of the Mufliheen (the successful ones), aameen.