O Beloved! This worldly life is nothing but a deceptive and beguiling mirage.
Is it considered a sign of felicity to be deceived and deluded by this? Certainly not… In order to awaken us and to explain this situation, the Exalted Truth declared: “Are you content with the life of this world instead of the Hereafter?” (Qur’an 9:38) Have you ever opened the ear of your qalb (the heart) to understand the meaning intended by this divine word? Why do you not open it? Do you not even think of opening it? Then, as you become immersed in this world and draw a veil over your heart against the Word of Truth, does the threat of this divine word not frighten you at all? Listen to what is declared; try to understand: “Whoever is blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter as well.” (Qur’an 17:72) Open the eye of your qalb… Seek to find your way in the light of the verses (āyāt) that the Exalted Truth has sent to awaken us… “The time of people’s reckoning has drawn near, yet they are heedless.” (Qur’an 21:1) Does not the stern threat in this verse (āya) shake you? Why do you not approach understanding the meaning it conveys?
This is a place of sowing. What is sown here will be reaped there; that is, in the other world. As in this world, first comes the sowing, and the reaping comes later… Take a lesson from this for your affairs of the Hereafter… May Allah protect you; otherwise, in the next world, while everyone is gathering rewards, you may be among those who are empty-handed… I think that this verse (āya) is sufficient to tell you something on this matter: “Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter – We increase for him his harvest. And whoever desires the harvest of this world – We give him thereof, but he will have no share in the Hereafter.” (Qur’an 42:20) Does not the warning of this verse (āya) remind you of anything?
Consider that for a single good deed you send from here to the other world, you will receive a reward from tenfold up to seven hundredfold. Reflect and awaken… If you know how to think well, this verse (āya) is enough to awaken you… See what is declared: “But he who transgressed and preferred the life of this world, surely his abode will be the Fire.” (Qur’an 79:37–39) Do you wish to be among this group? Certainly, you will say: “I do not.” In response to this statement, why are you not afraid that you will be confronted with: “Then what is this heedlessness?” How long will you swim in this ocean of heedlessness? And remain bewildered? This swimming will bring you no good fortune… Immediately come to your senses and withdraw to the sanctuary of the command: “Turn to Allah in repentance…” (Qur’an 24:31) Regret what you have done… Find tranquility in that station; then turn towards the direction indicated by the profound meaning of the phrase: “Worship your Lord…” (Qur’an 29:56) After this, use the tongue of truth and make this dua (supplication): “Indeed, I have turned my face towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate partners with Allah (shirk)… I turn to Him pure and upright…” (Qur’an 6:79) Perhaps, by this means, the gate of the world of secrets, which contains all beauties within itself, will be opened to you… After entering there, you will understand that those secrets are hidden in the verse (āya): “He is the One who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons misdeeds…” (Qur’an 42:25) As you advance a little further, you reach the center and encounter the majestic phrase: “Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful…” (Qur’an 73:20)
Repent (tawba)… Turn to the Truth… Then recite your supplication. At that moment, you will see that the gate of secrets has been opened to you… And you will begin to receive various glad tidings… After this, you will begin to receive help in your acts of worship… And you will attain His love… Consider that He has said: “Indeed, Allah loves those who repent (tawba) and loves those who purify themselves.” (Qur’an 2:222) After receiving the glad tidings appropriate to this state, you will understand the meaning in the verse (āya): “You honor whom You will…” (Qur’an 3:26) and you will begin to draw closer to Him at every moment… And you will sense that you are among those whom He has honored… You will praise Him and implore Him not to separate you from this state.
Do not fear, proceed now… The future is open to you. For you are among those about whom it is said: “Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast – there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Qur’an 41:30) You have now become one of those servants who have received that sublime glad tiding… That is, a walī (friend of God)… That is, a beloved servant of Allah… Know the value of this state you have found… May it be blessed…