Second: to abandon every impediment that prevents him from devoting himself solely to his goal and to the path that leads to it, and to cut those impediments off.

Third: to sever the heart’s attachments that stand between him and pure reliance on the object sought.

The difference is that impediments are outward events, whereas attachments are the inward clinging of the heart to lawful things and the like.

At root, this requires giving up the excesses that distract one from the aim—surplus food, drink, sleep, and socializing. He should take from these only what aids him in the quest and cast aside whatever severs him from it or weakens his resolve.

Allah alone is the One whose help is sought.

Section: Sayings of ʿAbd Allāh ibn Masʿūd, may Allah be pleased with him

• A man once said in his presence, “I would not like merely to be among the people of the right-hand; I want to be among those who are brought near.” Ibn Masʿūd replied, “Yet there is a man here who wishes that, when he dies, he would never be resurrected”—meaning himself. (1)

• He went out one day and some people followed him. He asked, “Do you have some need?” They answered, “No; we only wanted to walk with you.” He said, “Go back, for it is a humiliation for the follower and a temptation for the one followed.” (2)

• He also said, “If you knew about me what I know about myself, you would heap dust upon my head.”