Faith Accompanied by Increasing Trials
These teachings, compiled from the works of Abdülkadir Geylani, emphasize the direct relationship between the depth of faith and the trials encountered. The growth and flourishing of faith in hearts brings with it more intense trials; because Allah, Exalted be He, initiates a continuous testing process to measure His servant’s faith. This means that as the strength of faith increases, so too will the difficulties faced grow proportionally. Even the calamities experienced by our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are directly proportional to the greatness of his own faith; this demonstrates that each individual is subjected to different trials according to their level of faith. Therefore, life’s hardships are a sign of deepening faith and opportunities to be met with patience.
The Importance of Patience on the Sufi Path
Geylani’s teachings clearly reveal how important patience and acceptance (riza) are in the Sufi journey. The revered ones (Sufis, saints, and prophets) are constantly subjected to trials; the purpose of this is to ensure that they remain close to Allah. These trials accelerate the process of disciplining the self, controlling desires, and turning towards one’s Lord. Not abandoning patience during times of trial and surrendering to divine decree serves as a means for purification of the heart and increase in knowledge (ma’rifa). This state of acceptance causes worldly troubles to disappear, hearts to be refreshed, and dominion over the senses to return; because calamity itself is an instrument that strengthens the heart and solidifies faith.
The Captivity of the Self and Submission to Divine Guidance
For a person progressing in faith, the greatest danger is submitting to the desires of the self. When the self’s desires are fulfilled, heedlessness, associating partners with Allah (shirk), and disobedience (asīlik) appear; this causes the person to drift away from Allah. Therefore, it is of great importance not to fulfill any desire without Allah’s permission. On the contrary, one must submit to divine guidance in order to discipline the self; thus hearts are purified, knowledge increases, and the individual finds salvation in both this world and the hereafter. This submission requires following signs from Allah, abandoning desires, and considering His pleasure in every step.