ʿIlm al-ḥaqāʾiq (the science of inner realities) is the knowledge of munāzalāt (spiritual descents), muʿāmala (spiritual practice), and mujāhada (spiritual struggle). It is the science that teaches ikhlas (sincerity) in acts of obedience, considered the loftiest and most honorable of all sciences; it instructs in withdrawing from everything and turning solely to Allah at all times, ensuring the soundness of intentions and wills, and purifying the qalb (the heart) from afflictions. It teaches sufficing with the Exalted Creator of the heavens alone, mortifying the nafs (the lower self) through opposition, maintaining truthfulness in ḥāl (spiritual state) and maqām (spiritual station), observing beautiful adab (etiquette) in every step, hidden or manifest, in the divine presence, restraining the nafs with contentment in times of privation, turning away from the dunya (the world) and its contents to attain lofty ranks, and attaining karāma (a saintly wonder). (Lumaʿ, 456)
(See also: sharia-ḥaqīqa)