TOPVarious diseases affect the soul. A perfect Murshid (Sufi Master) can only treat them. We should study ourselves and upon finding ourselves affected by any of these ailments, seek a remedy from a perfect Murshid.
The diseases of the soul are:
(1) Showing off
(2) backbiting
(3) jealousy
(4) hate
(5) pride
(6) love of praise
(7) love of status
(8) love of showing off
(9) love of fame
(10) reverence of the rich
(11) disrespect of the poor
(12) following desires
(13) flattery
(14) ingratitude
(15) greed
(16) stinginess
(17) desire too much
(18) thinking ill
(19) hostility against truth
(20) persistence in falsehood
(21) convenience
(22) rationalizing laziness
(23) breach of trust
(24) laziness
(25) hard heartedness
(26) greed
(27) reliance on creation
(28) forgetting the Creator
(29) forgetfulness of death
(30) committing sins openly and not fearing Allah
(31) hypocrisy
(32) obeying Shaitaan
(33) self worship
(34) inclination to idle matter
(35) sloth
(36) lack of fear of Allah
(37) impatience
(38) lack of humility
(39) self - wrath in which case the anger could be used in the Path of Allah
(40) being lax in Allah’s commands and prohibitions, etc. [Fatawa Afriqa by Alahazrat, pg. 129]
Those brothers stepping on the path of Tariqah should accept Taqdeer with joy. When hardship befalls a person as part of the Decree of Allah and one object’s directly upon Allah Ta’ala this will be the death of one’s faith. This objection is also a destruction of one’s trust in Allah (Tawakkul) and Ikhlaas (sincerity). A person with Imaan does not ask "why" and "how" in relation to the Will of Allah. He always accepts the Will of Allah open heartedly.
It is the nature of the Nafs (carnal self) to cross swords with Taqdeer. Those who wish to conquer and rectify or purify the Nafs will be engaged in a constant struggle before they are immune to the Nafs. Those who submit to the Will of Allah with perseverance are covered with His Bountiful Mercy in this world and in the Hereafter. For the Pleasure of Allah, one should accept the Tests, which come from Him. Patience is a great virtue and a deed of great bravery. Allah is indeed with those who are patient. Dear friends, awaken for the sake of Allah. Do not be oblivious of His Might!
Let us not procrastinate till death is upon us, as it will be of no avail. We should re-examine and revive our hearts, as the heart is the center of our being. If the heart is purified, our whole self is enhanced. But if the heart is blemished, our body too will decay. The heart can be purged with abstinence and complete faith in Allah Ta’ala.
We must admonish our own Nafs before assessing others. A true nominee does not pay homage to his Nafs or the Shaitaan, nor is he obedient to them. He is not obsessed with the world and considers it to be lowly. He knows Allah to be the Power of everything. If we need to ask for something let us talk to Allah Ta’ala. Is there anything that is not available in the treasures of Allah Ta’ala?
O friends! Let us practice piety. We must maintain the restrictions of the Shari’ah, constantly fight the Nafs, Shaitaan, and avoid bad company. Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with many bounties but we have stopped thanking Him. Where has our appreciation gone? At times, we credit others for these blessings or consider ourselves deserving of these blessings. We even utilize His Rewards to disobey His Commandments.
We are constantly worried about what to eat, drink, whom to marry, where to rest, what to amass. These are all ravings of the Nafs. Where is our anxiety for the state of the heart and our innermost self and the pleasure been written by Allah Ta’ala in an absolute and unchangeable manner? Why should we seek something that is not in our Taqdeer. Is it not self-defeating? Its only when we accept and realize that we belong to Allah Ta’ala, will the treasures of Allah Ta’ala become ours.
Wealth and worldly possessions have made people haughty. Let us get rid of our pride before we are, humiliated and punished. We should appreciate our possessions. After all, everything that we have has only been entrusted to us. We are not born to accumulate and enjoy them in the world. We have to obey Allah Ta’ala’s Commands. We should not fool ourselves with empty verbal declarations. Let us avoid people obsessed with the world and seek the company of the Faqirs. Friendship with the world obsessed is harmful in every way.
We must strive to acquire the outward (Zahiri) I’lm and advance to obtain the enlightenment of the inside (Baatini) I’lm. We need to practice the Shari’ah, as this is the path that will lead us to Zahiri and Baatini I’lm. The more we practice on our I’lm, the closer we may get to Allah Ta’ala.
May Allah Ta’ala bless us in this world and in the Hereafter and may He save us from the torment of Jahannum. Amin! [Al-Fathur-Rabbani]