What is Himmat and Where Should it be Focused?
Himmat represents the heart’s most profound yearning, the soul’s ultimate direction, and unwavering determination. In the spiritual journey, the higher a person’s himmat, the greater the station they will attain. Ibn Ataullah al-Iskandari emphasizes that the intention behind one’s himmat should not extend beyond Allah’s purpose (marifa), stressing that the servant’s sole objective must be the Absolute Creator. If someone enters the spiritual path solely to obtain the blessings of Paradise or miracles, their himmat is fixated on these transient desires. Yet, true blessings and rewards cannot be diverted from the Giver of Grace (Allah).
Transcending Worldly and Hereafter Benefits
Imam Ghazali states that the highest point attainable through knowledge and action (‘amal) is to seek eternal felicity and Allah’s pleasure – the essence of himmat. Sufi masters have even considered acts of worship performed solely for the rewards of the Hereafter as a form of ‘service to one’s own self’ (‘amalat al-nafs); for, “He who worships Allah for Paradise is actually serving his own soul.
The Role of Maintaining High Himmat in Divine Union
A servant desiring rapid progress on the spiritual path must detach their heart from all created beings (masiva) and direct it with complete focus towards their Lord. The individual who dedicates their entire being to Allah’s pleasure disregards worldly or Hereafterly benefits. A servant whose heart is solely locked onto the Divine Essence relinquishes their own will and dissolves into Allah’s will (fana fillah). Sufis possessing a lofty himmat consider attaining the Lord’s pleasure superior even to Paradise, believing that “to be attached to the blessings of the Creator while our Lord’s grace is present is a deficiency in himmat.” Through this conviction, they attain divine union (wusul).