Making The Soul a Fertile Ground for Purification

It is well known that the highest level of worship is Ihsan (excellence in worship) — a state of the utmost mindfulness and adoring/ being in awe of The Creator, defined as worshipping Allah as if seeing Him (swt). This form of worship allows the servant to attain the loftiest levels of servitude possible and, through it, to experience the most profound sense of Divine closeness and the love of Allah (swt). There is no one who does not aspire to reach the station of Ihsan, given its blessings, nearness to Allah, and His ultimate pleasure. Ihsan is also the station that ensures salvation on the Day of Resurrection. Have you not seen the one who neglected his duty to Allah, exclaiming when he faces the punishment: "Oh, if only I had another chance, so I could be among the Muhsineen (those who excel in worship)!"(39:58).

However, between aspiration and achievement lie numerous obstacles, the greatest of which is the self that insists on satisfying its desires and attaining lofty goals merely through wishful thinking. Perhaps the core of these obstacles is the individual's perception of Ihsan (excellence in worship) — a perception shaped by materialistic, rather than divine or faith-based, understanding. In such a view, the ultimate outcome of Ihsan is material happiness, as it has become ingrained in the senses that misery and suffering are inherently tied to hardship, trials and pain. This perception of Ihsan is shaped by the dominance of the materialistic ideology over the senses.

When we reflect on Allah's reward to the doers of good in this worldly life, we find that it does not align with people's material aspirations for their acts of goodness. Consequently, their aversion and turning away from the idea of such a reward often leads to initial failure in taking the first step toward excellence in deeds. Consider Allah's trial to His servant, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), with the command to sacrifice his patient and beloved son. This was, in reality, a reward for Prophet Ibrahim’s excellence in servitude to his Lord. However, on the surface, it appeared as hardship and suffering. Thus, the reward for pursuing the path of excellence lies in purification and refinement. Purification necessitates facing trials, intensifying the effort of striving, and embodying patience. It is not in constant comfort. Therefore, believers must free themselves from this materialistic view of excellence in doing good.

In order to do so, one must firmly establish in the heart, with trust in Allah, that actual misery and suffering are inherently tied to spiritual dryness, the death of the heart, and blindness of insight. One must also recognize that physical pain is a common denominator among all creatures: "If you are suffering, they too are suffering as you are suffering" (4:104). However, inner peace and psychological comfort are attainable only through closeness to Allah: " … you hope for Allah’s reward, which they do not hope for" (4:104).

The servants' trust in Allah helps them compel themselves to remain steadfast on the path of excellence, ready to face trials with confidence that The Generous Lord will grant them steadfastness, patience, and tranquility in their struggles. This is the true reward of the doers of good. As a result, the servants attain the magnificent companionship of the Divine: "And those who strive for Us — We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good" (29:69).

The steps required to purify thoughts and liberate perception from the negativities of a materialistic worldview begin with revisiting the concept of excellence (Ihsan). Excellence lies in understanding that the foundation of perfecting one’s work and performance is the complete submission to Allah Almighty. This principle is highlighted in the verse describing the prayer of the devout ones who fought alongside the prophets in Surat Ali Imran: "Their only words were: 'Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our excesses in our affairs, make our feet firm, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people'" (3:147). This verse outlines the fundamental principles of the path of excellence.

First, one must revisit the concept of jihad, which is not an end in itself, but rather, on the one hand, a natural disposition inside a true believer that arises effortlessly, and on the other hand, a proof of the sincerity of faith: "The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then do not doubt, but strive with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah. It is they who are the truthful" (49:15).

Second, this sincerity should manifest in all acts of worship. How does this happen? Through the establishment of khushu' (humility and attentiveness). What is khushu'? It is fulfilling Allah’s intent in creation with awareness, determination, and a heart fully present. The first step in cultivating khushu' is to revisit the existential question: Why was I created?

Starting from this point, one gains the ability to remove the veil of heedlessness. Thereafter, the servant continues striving against heedlessness with seriousness. This then constitutes the initial station of khushu’.

When servants attain khushu' (humility and attentiveness), they embrace the divine guidance of the Quran with awareness and understanding. This guides them to recognize their flaws and reveals areas of deficiency, taking them by the hand to show them the path of reform. In fact, the Quran impacts the humbled servant as rain affects the humble earth: "And of His signs is that you see the earth humbled, but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and grows. Indeed, He who has given it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Indeed, He is over all things Competent" (41:39).

At this point, the soul becomes a fertile ground for growth, purification, and living under the shade of Tawhid (monotheism). This aligns one's understanding of harm and benefit, establishes priorities, and firmly grounds the servant on the path of Ihsan (excellence in worship).

The servant must recognize that attaining the station of Ihsan is a pure gift from Allah. However, striving on this path is an obligation. Consider the instruction of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to Mu’adh Ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him): "Worship Allah as if you see Him, count yourself among the dead, remember Allah at every stone and tree, and whenever you commit a sin, follow it with a good deed.”