The Saalik – Near or Far?

The Tarbiyat [spiritual nurturing] of some is that they are perpetually kept in worry, depression and grief.

Everyone should seek the Pleasure of the Beloved in all affairs. For instance, if a beloved says to the lover: “If you desire my pleasure then sit outside at the door and don’t look at me.” If he is a true lover, then he will carry out the instruction with body and soul. And if he is merely a lustful person then he will never make sabr [he will never exercise patience], and he will be afflicted with unhappiness at the beloved.

In short, the Saalik experiences a range of spiritual states. Sometimes he is at peace of mind; sometimes in mental turmoil; sometimes in a lost state, that is he loses interest; and sometimes he is in a state of presence of mind. All these states are praiseworthy.

Although he may feel ‘lost’, however this is in fact a state of presence. Thus, the Pleasure of the Beloved is in this state as well; and this is the objective.

In short, sometimes presence is in the form of absence, and sometimes absence is in the form of presence. Sometimes being near is in the form of being far; sometimes being far is in the form of being near.

An example of this in our mundane affairs is like a person who is far from the king. However, the king posted him to a very distinguished position and conferred upon him royal favours. Daily he receives rewards from the king. Now, ostensibly this person is far from the king, however, in reality he is near.

Another person is one who committed some crimes against the state which have courted the anger of the king. The king issues orders for his arrest wherever he is found.  He was apprehended and brought before the king. Outwardly this person is near the king, but in actual fact he is far and fallen.

(From Hazrat Thanwi’s Al-Ikhlaas, Part One)