The way to acquire Allah

There are means and ways to acquire everything. This is also the case in acquiring Allah Ta’ala. It is very easy and simple. All we need to do is to develop the will for it. Difficult things can become easy by means of one’s will. The way to obtain Allah Ta'ala is to follow His commands according to the established principles of our beloved Nabi (Sallaalahou Alaihi Wassalam). There is no other way besides this. Anything which is a means of breaking the commands of Allah Ta'ala or causes us to go against the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallaalahu Alaihi Wassalam), is a means of causing us to go far from Allah Ta'ala. By neglecting Salah, Zakaat, or Roza of Ramadan, one is breaking the commands of Allah Ta'ala. In the same way, lying, deceiving people, harming people by robbing them or depriving them of their rights, are also actions which go against the commands of Allah Ta'ala. A person that commits any of these, would have has lost the way in acquiring Allah Ta'ala.

We cannot but follow the commandments of Allah Ta'ala because Allah Ta'ala alone created us. He Himself is our Malik. He Himself gives us everything that we need. The greatest ingratitude that people commit is to follow a path other than what Allah Ta'ala has laid out for us. This is called Kufr. That is why the person who leaves this Dunya in such a state, will suffer forever. It is an unforgivable sin. Unless a person asks for forgiveness before his death, then even at the last minute also, Allah Ta'ala will forgive him. It is the immense and unmatched favour of Allah Ta'ala to forgive the one who asks for forgiveness at the last minute also.

We must not believe that Allah Ta'ala has collaborators who help Him in his works because Allah Ta'ala does everything alone. He does not need any help. The notion that Allah Ta'ala shares His power with someone is Shirk. Shirk or associating someone with Allah Ta'ala in anything and in any aspect also represents Kufr. And it has the same effect and consequence as that of Kufr. Shirk is unforgivable too, except for someone who was able to repent before death.

Therefore, to obtain Allah Ta'ala, we should follow the Deen of Allah Ta'ala, which represents His commandments in accordance to the Sunnah of Nabi (Sallaalahu Alaihi Wassalam). In order to have the will to obey Allah Ta'ala, we should attach ourselves to those who have this will at a very advanced stage. Usually, this is what is termed as a spiritual guide, a Murshid, or a Sheikh. It may be very possible to have this will without having a close connection with a Sheikh. However, this is extremely rare just as an autodidact (a person who studies on his own) is rare in the world, because one heavily relies on instructions and companionship to learn. In general, people acquire this will under a Sheikh Kamil’s instruction and supervision. . Those who wish to get the will without going through the normal procedure, may be under the impression of having received it. But it is also a reality in this Dunya, that sometimes, broken bottles are regarded as pearls or diamonds. This is the general observation of the Mashaa'ikh of all times. It is only after that we have tasted the reality will we know the difference. From afar, a mirage also gives the impression of water. But this impression is actually an illusion. There are many among us who mistake the illusion of Taqwa for Taqwa. Usually, real Taqwa comes from Mujaahadah.

Mujaahadah is a training course that a person follows under the supervision of a Sheikh Kamil. In this initial stage, the Sheikh detects the cause of each disease of the heart and suggests a way to treat it. For example, a person who neglects his Aakhirah due to his work, is a person whose attachment to the Dunya is greater than his attachment to the Aakhirah. The attachment of his Dunya over his Aakhirah is so great that it eclipsed and darkened his heart.

When he succeeds in mastering this level, he will practice his Deen properly without neglecting his Dunya. Due to his strong attachment to his Aakhirah, he will benefit from the Dunya without allowing it to become entrenched in his heart. That is, he sails in the ocean without letting the water to enter his ship.

[English version of "Couma gagne Allah" – Al Jamiat Vol.8 No.3]