The Methodology of Tazkiyah and the Cure for Greed (Hirs)

Summary

The lecture is part of a series based on the book Fahm-ut-Tasawwuf and explores the practical application of Sufism to rectify human character. The speaker argues that the ultimate purpose of a Muslim's life is to attain the pleasure of Allah by perfecting one's morals, a process known as Tazkiyah.

The lecture distinguishes between superficial changes and deep spiritual transformation. While an "Immediate Cure" helps a person stop sinning temporarily through self-restraint, the "Real Cure" requires a dedicated spiritual journey (Sulook) that fundamentally alters the heart. The speaker highlights that while different Sufi orders (like Chishti or Qadri) have slight methodological differences, they all aim for the same goal: eliminating the barrier between the human heart and Allah.

The second half of the lecture focuses specifically on Greed. It is identified as a root cause of societal and personal conflict. The speaker explains that greed creates a state of constant restlessness and anxiety, depriving a person of peace. To combat this, one must cultivate contentment with God’s will, reduce worldly attachments, and shift one’s "greed" from worldly accumulation to the accumulation of good deeds for the Afterlife. The session concludes with the reminder that remembering death and the temporary nature of this world is the most effective tool for breaking the cycle of greed.