Rābiʿa was asked: How did you attain this lofty rank? She replied as follows: By constantly saying: O Allah! I seek refuge in You from everything that distances me from You and from every obstacle that comes between me and You.
Good and evil (see al-Baqara 2:27). Good and evil differ according to analogy. For example, to eat something lawful and to experience sexual desire in a lawful manner are considered good. What occurs in a moment of anger can also be good; this is to have mastery over anger. What is in accordance with reason is good. Sometimes something is correct from one perspective, sometimes it is beautiful from another. Attaining gratitude, fulfilling praise, commendation, and generosity are among rational acts. In summary, the views of those endowed with reason on this matter differ. (Ishārāt, IV, 14)
The root of evil is sixfold: to exchange the will for good with the will for evil; to exchange attachment to Allah with attachment to created beings; to exchange good opinion (ḥusn al-ẓann) of Allah and His generosity with bad opinion (sūʾ al-ẓann) of Him and His Messenger; to conceal claims; to love the world (dunyā); and to follow caprice (hawā).
Shādhilī says: The qalb (the heart) has four fortresses against evil: the qalb’s attachment to Allah, hatred for the dunyā (the world), not looking at what Allah has forbidden, and not setting foot where Allah’s riḍā (contentment with God's decree) is not hoped for. (Jāmiʿ, 22, 37)