At the Beginning of the Path, Clinging to Causes
In the Sufi path, “tawakkul” (trusting in Allah) does not mean abruptly abandoning work and means. At the beginning of spiritual refinement, the seeker (sālik) is weak and inexperienced, like a newly hatched fledgling. Abdülkadir Geylânî (may Allah be pleased with him) explains this process with a compassionate analogy: “A fledgling asks for the help of its parents to learn how to fly.” During this period, the servant works, clings to causes to earn their livelihood, and is utterly dependent on the guidance of their spiritual guide. “It is necessary to initially adhere to some causes, then to abandon them and run towards their Owner.” Utilizing causes is a rule of the novice stage.
Strengthening the Wings and Flight
However, when faith truly settles in the servant’s heart, when the light of Tawhid illuminates their inner world, that fledgling grows up and its wings (certainty and acceptance) become strong. “When they grow up, they do not ask anything from them.” The perfect believer with gnosis no longer knows sustenance from an employer or client, nor seeks healing solely from a doctor. Even while adhering to causes with the body, their heart is completely detached from them. They have seen the “Müsebbibü’l-Esbab” (Allah, who creates the causes) behind all means and has been freed from the humiliation of begging from transient beings.
The Summit of Freedom and Independence
The servant who attains complete acceptance becomes the most free creature on earth. “Finding strength in their wings, they secure their livelihood alone,” according to this secret, they begin to draw sustenance directly from Allah’s treasure. The gratitude, criticism, or abandonment of people in the world of causes cannot hinder this sublime flight. Those who use causes as a ladder and reach the roof (Allah), then push away that ladder, will eternally glide in a Divine safety sky where no worldly storm can bring them down.