Abandoning human akhlaq (character traits) arising from nature, abasing human attributes, avoiding the outbursts of the nafs (the lower self), adorning oneself with spiritual qualities, engaging with the sciences of ḥaqīqa (inner reality), and following the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) in matters of sharṭat (spiritual states or extraordinary occurrences).
Shiblī also says: Sufism (taṣawwuf) is to be protected from what is material. He also said: Sufism is to be as one was before becoming a Sufi. It is also reported that he said: A Sufi is one who severs ties with people and unites (ittiḥād) with the Real (God). As Allah has said: "I have chosen you for Myself" (Ṭā Hā 20:41). (Likewise,) Sufism (taṣawwuf) is to sever all ties with everything other than the Real. Allah has indicated this by saying: "You will never see Me!" (al-Aʿrāf 7:143). When he was asked, "Why is the Sufi called ibn al-waqt (child of the moment)?" he replied: "Because he does not grieve over what he has lost, nor does he expect anything from what he possesses." (Nafahāt, 27)
(See also: Sufi-mutasawwif-mustaswif; sufiyya; Sufism)