A seeker wrote, ‘In spite of the knowledge that Allah is the Supreme-Sovereign (al Hakim) and the Most-Wise (al Hakeem) this does not become my state (haal).

Hakim al Umma Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) replied,
‘The (acquisition of) stations (maqamat) is volitional (ikhteyari). Whereas, the attainment of states (haal) is non volitional.

Hence, it is not a deficiency that an objective (station) does not became a state (haal) even after it’s acquisition with one’s effort.’

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 3, page 92