Purification from Foulness
Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) has said to one of his companions: “Be constant in your abolition, that two guardian angels ay love thee.” God hath said,
“God loves those who often repent and those who purify themselves” (Qur’an, 2:222).
The method of spiritual purification is to reflect and meditate on the evil of this world, perceive that it is false and fleeting, and make the heart empty of it. This result can be attained only by self-mortification (mujahadat), and the most important act of mortification is to observe the external rules of discipline (adab-i-zahir) assiduously in all circumstances.
Shibli has said, “Whenever I have neglected any rule of purification, some vain conceit has always arisen in my heart.”
Abu Ali Rudbari was sometimes afflicted with distracting thoughts (waswas) in purification. One day, he cried, “O God, restore me to spiritual health!” A voice from the sea has answered, “Health consists in knowledge.”
The method of spiritual purification:
The method of spiritual purification is to reflect and meditate on the evil of this world, perceive that it is false and fleeting, and make the heart empty of it. This result can be attained only by self-mortification (mujahadat), and the most important act of mortification is to observe the external rules of discipline (adab-i-zahir) assiduously in all circumstances.
Shibli has said, “Whenever I have neglected any rule of purification, some vain conceit has always arisen in my heart.”
Abu Ali Rudbari was sometimes afflicted with distracting thoughts (waswas) in purification. One day, he cried, “O God, restore me to spiritual health!” A voice from the sea has answered, “Health consists in knowledge.”
Poverty and Purity
Poverty is an existent thing and can be named, while purity is being pure of all existing things. It is the essence of annihilation (fana), and poverty is the essence of subsistence (baqa). Poverty is the name of station, and purity is one of the names of perfection. However, according to Ali Hajveri this distinction is worldly and baseless. It does not befit the path of Truth. Seeking the same goal through different approaches must not cause a rift.
However, poverty implies that one may not be poor in knowledge, and purity emphasizes that one may not be impure in spirit.
Further Links
Learn about the Mystery of Purification at: P | A | Morris: Listening for God, Part 4 – Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi Society
