‘Uthmān al-Naysābūrī, he related that he said, “Whoever lets the Sunnah govern his words and deeds speaks with wisdom; whoever lets desire govern him speaks with innovation. Allah Most High says, ‘And if you obey, you will be guided.’” [Surah al-Nūr 54]

He related that Abū Hamzah al-Baghdādī said, “Whoever knows the path to the Truth, Most High, finds it easy to travel. There is no guide to the path to Allah except following the Messenger in his states, words, and deeds.”

He related that Abū ‘Amr ibn Nujayd said, “Any spiritual state that does not arise from knowledge brings its possessor more harm than benefit.” When asked about Sufism, he replied, “Patiently abiding by the commands and prohibitions.”

He related that Abū Ya‘qūb al-Nahrjūrī said, “The best spiritual states are those accompanied by knowledge.” Statements like these abound in the words of the leading shaykhs. They gave this counsel because they knew that many travellers on the spiritual path follow their inner experience and ecstasy, their own views and desires, without following the path of Allah with which He sent His Messenger. This is a form of following desire without guidance from Allah.

Innovated listening practices stir desire. For this reason, one of the shaykhs who wrote against them entitled his book The Clear Proof Forbidding Indulgence in Disgraceful Desire. This is also why the shaykhs so frequently enjoin adherence to knowledge, by which they mean