The obstacles a disciple (Salik) may face on the spiritual path of Tasawwuf

Lecture No. 28

Fahm-ut-Tasawwuf (English Translation)
Hazrat Zain-ul-abideen حفظه الله
Khanqah Rehmkaria Imdadia - H# CB 1991/1 Near Masjid Ameer Hamza RA, Street 4, Allah Abad, Westridge 3, Rawalpindi

The speaker explains that while the ultimate goal of Tasawwuf is to achieve spiritual cleanliness (Tazkiyah) and devotion to Allah, there are certain challenges that can hinder a disciple's progress. These obstacles are not the objective of the path but are hurdles that must be overcome. The lecture identifies and elaborates on five main obstacles:

  1. Obsession with worldly beauty: Becoming engrossed in the physical beauty of people or things, which can lead one away from the path of Sharia.
    1. Haste: Being overly eager to quickly achieve high spiritual states, which can lead to frustration, loss of motivation, and even mistrust in one's spiritual guide (Sheikh). The speaker emphasizes that the spiritual path is a gradual process.
      1. Pretending or artificiality: Faking spiritual states or levels that one has not actually reached in order to gain respect or status. This creates a dichotomy between one's inner and outer self and is a significant barrier to progress.
        1. Opposing the Sunnah: Going against the practices and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The speaker states that the shortest path to Allah's love is through following the Sunnah, and deviating from it leads one further away from the goal.
          1. Opposing the spiritual guide (Sheikh): Going against the methods and instructions of one's chosen spiritual guide. The speaker stresses the importance of complete trust in one's Sheikh. Developing mistrust is a clear sign that one's spiritual progress has halted.