FOR ATTAINING SA'ÂDA (SALVATION)

Muhammad Ma’sûm (rahimah-Allâhu ta’âlâ) wrote in the 158th letter of the second volume:

“For attaining sa’âda (salvation), two things should be achieved. Firstly, the bâtin, that is, the heart, should be rescued from being fond of creatures. Secondly, the zâhir, that is, the body, should be embellished by holding fast to the al-Ah’kâm al-Islâmiyya (the Rules of Islam). These two blessings are easily attained in the suhba of the masters of tasawwuf. It is difficult to attain them by other means. In order to be able to hold fast to Islam, to carry out ’ibâdât easily and to keep away from the prohibitions, the nafs has to become fânî (resign itself). The nafs has been created as ferocious, disobedient and arrogant. Unless it is saved from these evils, the reality (haqîqa) of Islam does not occur. Before resignation or tranquility, there is the surface or appearance of Islam. After the tranquility of the nafs, the reality of Islam occurs. The difference between the appearance and the reality is similar to that between the earth and the sky. The followers of the appearance attain to the appearance of Islam while those of the reality attain to the reality of Islam. The belief of the ’awâm (the laity, ignoramuses) is called îmân majâzî (figurative belief). This belief may be defiled and vanish. The belief of the khawâs (scholars, the people of the reality) is protected from fading away and from being spoilt. This real belief is indicated in the order, ‘Oh the Believers! Believe in Allah and His Prophet!’ in the 135th âyat of the Sûrat an-Nisâ.”