Attaining Union with Divine Love
The teachings of Abd al-Qadir al-Geylani, a profound master of Sufi thought, focus on the seeker’s quest to transcend themselves and unite with divine presence. The individual progressing on this path draws closer to Allah through constant supererogatory acts of worship, which attracts His love. Upon reaching the pinnacle of divine love, the servant begins to reflect the Divine attributes – a hearing ear, a seeing eye, a grasping hand, and a walking foot. This is a manifestation of a state called ‘fana,’ where the individual completely detaches from their ego and integrates with the Divine will; this union is an unparalleled experience possible only through Allah’s grace.
The Transience of Existence and Turning Towards Eternal Truth
Geylani’s teachings draw attention to the transient nature of worldly existence. People and their good deeds/bad deeds are constantly changing; therefore, expectations and fears related to them should not distract from the true focus. The reality is Allah’s presence with its eternal continuity. All goodness and evil lie within His decree and lead the individual to purify themselves from the self and turn towards the seas of Divine grace. With this understanding, one becomes a source of all good, a spring of joy and happiness, a light of security and peace; thus embarking on a journey toward eternal truth within the transience of worldly life.
Abandoning the Self and Submission to Divine Will
Those referred to as ‘abdals’ by Sufi practitioners completely abandon their own will and strive to fulfill the will of Allah Ta’ala. This is a surrender that lasts until the moment of death, and these personalities continue to purify themselves through learning from their mistakes with Allah’s grace. Possessing will is the attribute of angels, and being protected from desire (hewa) is the characteristic of prophets; other people must be careful regarding both will and desire. While some saints are purified from will, and some abdals from desire, these processes involve continuous awakening and direction rather than complete innocence. Therefore, abandoning the self and submitting to Divine will are fundamental principles of the Sufi path.