his journey until it reaches its end. If you see the scholars, you will find him among them. If you see the worshippers, you will find him among them. If you see those engaged in jihad, you will find him among them. If you see those remembering Allah, you will find him among them. If you see those giving charity and doing good, you will find him among them. And if you see those whose hearts are collected and wholly devoted to Allah, you will find him among them.

This is the person of unrestricted devotion: outward forms do not possess him, restrictions do not bind him, and his deeds do not follow his own desires or those acts of worship in which he finds pleasure and comfort. Rather, he follows what his Lord desires, even when his own comfort and pleasure lie elsewhere. This is the one who truly embodies “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,” sincerely living by both.

He wears whatever is available and eats whatever is readily at hand. At every moment, he occupies himself with what he has been commanded to do at that time. He sits wherever he arrives and finds a vacant place. No allusion holds him captive, no restriction enslaves him, and no outward form dominates him. Free and unencumbered, he follows the command wherever it leads. He adheres to its way wherever its riding camels turn «1», and moves with it wherever its tents are carried.

Everyone who upholds the truth finds comfort in his company, while everyone who upholds falsehood feels uneasy around him. He is like rain, bringing benefit wherever it falls, and like the date palm, whose leaves do not fall and every part of which is beneficial—even its thorns. These correspond to his sternness towards those who oppose Allah’s command and his anger when Allah’s sacred limits are violated.

He is devoted to Allah, aided by Allah, and in Allah’s company. He keeps company with Allah without creation coming between them, and keeps company with people without his own self coming between them. When he is with Allah, he sets created beings aside and withdraws from them; when he is with His creation, he sets his own self aside and relinquishes its claims. Oh, to be like him! How much a stranger he is among people, how profound his estrangement from them, and how great his intimacy with Allah, his joy in Him, and the reassurance and tranquillity he finds in Him! Allah is the One whose help is sought, and upon Him all reliance is placed.

Section

People hold four approaches concerning the benefit, wisdom, and purpose of worship. In this respect, they fall into four categories.