Those whose breats God has expanded, by allowing them to confirm the truth in their hearts, to long for the means that lead to Him, and to adhere to the way of those possessing intellects by carefully minding the limits established by the divine law.
It is related that a desert Arab asked the Messenger saw,"Who is the best of all people?" He responded,"One who is blessed with a long life accompanied with good deeds." One given these two things, a long life filled with righteous deeds has truly been blessed.
What are the means that lead to God? Those means are all of the things that lead you, or draw you near, to God, Most High. Obeying His commandments, avoiding His prohibitions, reciting and acting on His scripture, engaging in His remembrance, worshipping Him as He commanded us to do on the basis of knowledge and truth, seeking the assistance of righteous, learned Muslims, sitting in the company of pious people, praying to God that He helps us; all of these are valid means that lead to God. Some scholars have described other means that might be deemed controversial. What we have mentioned here is sufficient, for cautiousness in dealing with controversial matters is one of the best manifestations of true religiosity.
God mentions in the Quran, 'O Believers! Be dutifully mindful of God and pursue the means that lead unto Him; strenuously exert yourselves for His sake in order to be successful.'
(Surah al-Maidah 5:35)
In this verse, we are minded that the essence of God-consciousness lies in leaving off harmful and forbidden things, even though the soul may have a deep craving for them. The essence of pursuing the means to God lies in doing those things He has commanded, even though the soul may find those things difficult and undesirable. Hence, we commanded to exert ourselves strenuously, because the path the believer walks in this world is a difficult one and one has to work arduously to remain on it.
..............Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance
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