I asked: What is riyāsa (leadership)? He said: It is desiring to be regarded with reverence, mocking the servants (of God), looking down upon them, not recognizing any word but one's own, not accepting anyone as one's equal in knowledge, and not allowing anyone to surpass oneself. (Such a person) displays rudeness when admonished, and behaves harshly when delivering admonition. If it is said that he has made a mistake, he responds harshly. When people inform him of his error, he does not back down, fearing that his authority will be undermined. (Ri'āya, 129)
riyāḍa/riyāḍāt (ascetic discipline): Riyāḍa may have three aims: The first is to abandon the habit of choosing anyone other than the Real (God). The second is to discipline the nafs al-ammāra (the commanding lower self)...