A useful insight: The masters of spiritual discernment hold that occupying oneself with sheer contemplative witnessing to the neglect of righteous action while on the path amounts to standing still. During those moments of witnessing, it would be far preferable for the seeker to engage in outward and inward deeds, or to deepen his detailed knowledge and faith. The human subtle essence will be resurrected in the very likeness of its deeds, knowledge, aspirations, and intentions, while the body will rise in the likeness of its good or evil actions. When it departs this world, it will behold that truth directly.

The nearer your heart draws to Allah, the more you will find your familiarity with people and your desire for their company diminishing. According to the care with which you safeguard your innermost secret and intention, they will in turn be preserved. The pivot of all this is sound tawḥīd (pure monotheism), followed by sound knowledge of the path, sound resolve, and finally sound action.

Take every precaution against people seeking you out, turning their attention toward you, or discovering the seat of your aspiration, for that is the gravest affliction.

Section
Every person of sound mind knows that Satan can approach him only through three doors:

1. Excess and extravagance. Whenever one goes beyond what is needed, the surplus becomes Satan’s share and his point of entry into the heart. The protection lies in denying the ego its full cravings for food, sleep, pleasure, or leisure. Close this door and the enemy is barred from it.

2. Heedlessness. The one engaged in remembrance is inside the fortress of that remembrance; the moment he becomes heedless, he opens the gate of the fortress, the enemy enters, and expelling him becomes difficult, if not impossible.

3. Preoccupying oneself with what does not concern him in any matter whatsoever.