Shaikh Abu Abd al-Rehman al-Sulami (Allah have mercy on him) said,
‘The Sufi must abandon self-direction and self-willing.’
Jawami Adab al-Sufiya, page 13
ASHRAFIYA
Teachings of Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanawi & his spiritual successors, particularly 'Arifbillah Dr 'Abdul Hayy 'Arifi (may Allah bless them) and Sayyidi Mawlana Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (may Allah preserve him) regarding Tasawwuf
Assalamualaikum,
1. Could you please give example(s) as to how one might be self-directing/self-willing?
2. Does this apply to one’s worldly state only or also to ones spiritual state? If one feels lost despite trying, and feels anxious and worried about this, could this indicate that he’s involved in self-direction/self-willing?
Jazakallah