Cultivating a Space for Reverent Devotion

In Allah The Most High’s saying, “‘This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness’” (5:119), we can notice that Allah distinguishes between the truthful person and their truthfulness. A truthful person is one who strives to be truthful. Their truthfulness benefits them when that striving is accompanied by what it entails: a sincere desire to uphold what Allah has commanded, fulfill His purpose for His creation, and seek His pleasure.

The journey of truthfulness begins with purification through which the servant prepares to draw near to Allah. When Allah (swt) addressed Musa, peace be upon him, saying, “Indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. You are in the sacred valley of Ṭuwā” (20:12), He gave a command that teaches us proper conduct when entering the Divine Presence. From the command to remove the sandals, we can draw lessons about what this approach requires: humility and submission, certainty in leaving behind impurity and worldly distractions, and complete obedience. Musa did not ask, “May I leave them off?” He obeyed: he was told to remove them, and he did.

Reflecting on the lessons in this verse helps us understand that receiving the light of revelation requires fulfilling these conditions. Humility, modesty, submission, and purification open the way to tranquility and strength of the heart, enabling it to receive that light.

This noble discipline blesses a person’s life and raises them above the clamor and distractions of the world, as well as the concerns of society. It creates an environment conducive to reverent devotion, allowing a person to listen attentively and become receptive to what they hear. Without attending to purification and making time for solitude with Allah — times when the servant can step away from life’s noise and commotion — it is difficult to cultivate this state of devout attentiveness.

Reverent devotion is essential to the spiritual path, for it enables the servant to see by the light of truth and weigh matters according to what Allah Most High intends. Allah describes people of understanding as those who listen to the truth and follow what is best. This requires understanding, careful consideration, and reflection, and can be attained only through a state of deep spiritual attentiveness.

Did Allah not command His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to pray during the night and recite His Book, since his days were filled with many responsibilities and activities? Allah Most High says: “Indeed, worship in the night is more impactful and suitable for recitation. For during the day you are over-occupied ˹with worldly duties˺” (73:6–7).

For the servant to give purification the attention it deserves, they must understand that within the self lies a darkness whose extent is known only to Allah. Persistently striving to free oneself from this inner darkness is the essence of the purification required, so that the servant may benefit from the light of revelation. Allah Most High says: “So be mindful of Allah, O people of understanding who have believed. Allah has sent down to you a Reminder: a Messenger reciting to you Allah’s clear verses, so that He may bring those who believe and do righteous deeds out of darkness into light” (65:10–11).

Whatever a servant does without being connected to the remembrance of Allah and what is associated with it may bring darkness into the self. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Indeed, the world is cursed, and everything in it is cursed, except the remembrance of Allah and what is associated with it, a scholar, or a learner.” Being aware of the need to persist in moving from darkness into light makes it easier to receive the enabling grace to do so. Allah Most High says: “Allah is the Protector of those who believe. He brings them out of darkness into light” (2:257).

Neglect and heedlessness themselves deepen the darkness within the self. Whoever neglects purification — that is, the movement from darkness into light —may come to worship Allah only on an edge. Allah Most High says: “And of the people is he who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face [to unbelief]. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is the manifest loss” (22:11). Such a person may also become hesitant, as Allah says: “Wavering between them, belonging neither to these nor to those” (4:143). And: “They show off before people and do not remember Allah, except a little” (4:142).

The aim of purification is to benefit from the light of revelation, understand its intended meaning, and attain sincerity in servitude to Allah. Sincerity in servitude means not allowing created things to veil the servant from the Creator, nor allowing attachment to anything to surpass one’s attachment to Allah. The journey of purification toward sincere servitude — standing before Allah in obedience, humility, and surrender — requires awareness, reflection, and striving. We can gain insight into the nature of this striving from the beautiful aphorisms of Ibn ʿAta-Allah Al-Iskandari, may Allah have mercy on him:

First: “How can a heart shine when the forms of created things are imprinted upon its mirror?” These images imprinted upon the heart are among the most significant sources of the darkness that settles within it.

Second: “How can one journey to Allah while shackled by one’s desires?” Desires can become a prison, veiling the servant from the light of truth.

Third: “How can one hope to enter the presence of Allah without having cleansed oneself of the ritual impurity of heedlessness?” Heedlessness is a grave spiritual disease that prevents a person from attaining reverent devotion.

Fourth: “How can one hope to understand subtle secrets without having repented of one’s lapses?” Lapses leave a stain upon the heart, a seal upon hearing, and a veil over sight, thereby obstructing understanding. A person may then perceive nothing in the Quran beyond its letters and remain unable to move beyond its apparent meaning.

In short, the darkness that takes hold of the heart can shape a person’s understanding. It may manifest as attachment to created things, enslavement to desires, heedlessness, or lapses. The aim of purification, therefore, is to break through these barriers and attain sincere servitude.

The driving force behind this pursuit is the servant’s longing for Allah, hope of meeting Him, and desire to seek His pleasure. An example of this is found in the story of Dawud, peace be upon him, in the account of Saul and Goliath. He was sincere in his desire to fight, passed the test of the river alongside the sincere believers, and stood firm with them despite their small numbers, certain that victory comes from Allah. Allah Most High says: “Those who were certain they would meet Allah said, ‘How many a small company has overcome a large company by Allah’s permission. And Allah is with the steadfast’” (2:249). When they faced the enemy, Dawud — by Allah’s permission — killed Goliath, and Allah granted him sovereignty and wisdom. Allah Most High says: “So they defeated them by Allah’s permission, and Dawud (David) killed Jalut (Goliath), and Allah gave him sovereignty and wisdom and taught him from what He willed” (2:251).

This illustrates the journey of truthfulness toward sincere servitude and the divine favor bestowed upon those who remain truthful in their pursuit. Allah Most High says: “So that Allah may reward the truthful for their truthfulness” (33:24).

Among the fruits of persevering in purification are recognizing Allah’s greatness and power and attaining certainty in His promise. This is illustrated by the staff of Musa, peace be upon him. After speaking to Musa and granting him revelation, Allah asked him about his staff. Musa replied: “It is my staff. I lean upon it, and with it I beat down leaves for my sheep, and I have other uses for it” (20:18). Allah then showed Musa a manifestation of His power: the staff was transformed into a mighty sign, a serpent moving swiftly. Allah made it a sign of His power and a means of defeating the oppressors and bringing victory to the believers.

This reminds the servant of Allah’s absolute power: He alone is sufficient to sustain, strengthen, and enrich them. The servant need only persevere in purification so as to receive the light of truth, comprehend its meaning, discern what it entails, and act upon it. In this way, the servant remains under Allah’s care and mercy, sustained, blessed, and at peace, as they steadfastly journey toward their Lord along the straight path.