Shaykh Abu Saeed (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘The reality of ubudiyet has two components.

First is acknowledgment of absolute neediness to Allah (iftiqar ilAllah). This is the real servitude (abdiyet) and the essential part.

The second is meticulous following of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace). This should be with exemplary elegance. (That is, its goal must be to follow and emulate the Sunna). The pleasure and comfort of one’s lower self (nafs)  should not be the objective to do so.’

Shaykhan: Ainan e tajriyan, page 48

Picture: Secret underground mosque in Bor, Hadramaut, Yemen