WUSUL – ILALLAH (ACCESS TO ALLAH TA'ALA)

Addressing Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), Allah Ta'ala says:

"Mention the name of your Rabb, and cut yourself off from everything to focus your attention solely on Him." (73: 8)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) received two commands from Allah Ta'ala in this verse: (i) Zikrullah (ii) Tabattul (total devotion—cut yourself off from everything to focus your attention solely on Him). With regard to Zikrullah, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) was constantly engaged in it, and despite this, Allah Ta'ala instructed him to continue with Zikrullah. Allah Ta'ala desires a constant, unceasing Zikr, one that occupies every moment, leaving no moment without it. This form of Zikrullah is achievable when we understand it in its broader sense: Zikrullah with the tongue, with the heart, and by implementing Allah Ta'ala's commandments in all aspects of life.

This understanding aligns with the Hadith reported by Hadhrat 'Aisha (Radiyallahu anha), where she mentioned that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) was perpetually engaged in Zikrullah.

The second command of Allah Ta'ala is Tabattul (total devotion to Allah Ta'ala — to cut yourself off from everything to focus your attention solely on Him). Generally, the word Tabattul refers to the renunciation of worldly comforts and the adoption of celibacy. However, in this verse, Tabattul means total devotion to Allah Ta'ala without the need to give up worldly comforts, but in such a way that nothing is given priority over the love of Allah Ta'ala. Asceticism and Tabattul in its general sense — which teaches the complete severance from worldly life — are condemnable in Islam. This is certainly not the Tabattul advocated by the Qur'an. In Islam, Tabattul allows for comfort, marriage, and social life, but without exceeding the limits or allowing these things to take precedence over the love of Allah Ta'ala. Thus, we see that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) married, had children, participated in society, and did not renounce good clothing or food.

We are permitted to enjoy the blessings that Allah has provided, but we must ensure they do not take precedence over our ultimate goal — devotion to Allah. These blessings must be used lawfully to achieve this goal. In short, Tabattul in Islam represents hope and optimism, not despair or pessimism, which are often associated with asceticism. Therefore, we can summarise Wusul-ilallah in these two key points:

1. Tabattul in the Islamic sense is the liberation of the soul from all earthly ties, dedicated solely to serving Allah Ta'ala.
2. Zikrullah in its general sense is the total submission to the will of Allah Ta'ala.

Although these two commands were addressed to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), they also apply to the Ummah. Zikrullah done with the tongue in abundance is highly effective in reviving the spiritual aspect of a person, which, in turn, influences their physical actions. A person will thus be drawn towards complete submission to Allah Ta'ala. This is why the Mashaaikh advised, taught, and recommended practicing Zikrullah with the tongue as one of the first lessons, as its power helps guide humanity towards its true goal.

[English version of "Wouçoul – ilallah (Accès à Allah Ta'aala)" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 5]