The author here points out the importance of practicing Sunnah (Nafl) of the prophet Muhammad r in our lives. It is very important to study the good behavior in the life of prophets r. According to the author, Tasawwuf means “practicing good behavior” in our lives, and imitating the prophet in every aspect of our lives. We need to get a mentor to practice it in our lives. Any mentor who is not committed to the sayings of the prophet or who teaches against the principles of the prophet’s teaching should be avoided. All Tariqahs are based on the Quran and Sunnah, otherwise they are fake Tariqahs.
Following the path of the prophet r is very important in the life of a Muslim. His acts and sayings should be strictly followed. The famous book compiled by Imam Nawawi t, Riyadu Saliheen, is a popular one with regard to the study of prophet’s sayings. One should not forget to perform Fard (Wajib), because Fard is better than Sunnah. Even performing an act of Sunnah a thousand times is not equivalent to performing an act of Fard.
The more one perform the act of Sunnah (Nafl) the more Allah take care of him.
The Prophet says:
وما تَقَرَّبَ إلَيَّ عَبْدِي بشَيءٍ أحَبَّ إلَيَّ ممَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عليه، وما يَزالُ عَبْدِي يَتَقَرَّبُ إلَيَّ بالنَّوافِلِ حتَّى أُحِبَّهُ، فإذا أحْبَبْتُهُ، كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذي يَسْمَعُ به، وبَصَرَهُ الَّذي يُبْصِرُ به، ويَدَهُ الَّتي يَبْطِشُ بها، ورِجْلَهُ الَّتي يَمْشِي بها، وإنْ سَأَلَنِي لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ، ولَئِنِ اسْتَعاذَنِي لَأُعِيذَنَّهُ[1]
My slave approaches Me with nothing more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him; and My slave keeps drawing nearer to Me with voluntary works until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing, with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he seizes, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks me, I will surely give to him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him”
The meaning of the hadith is as follows:
If a man performs the Nafl in addition to obligatory things (Fard), Allah will answer his prayers and requests. Also, Allah will protect him from doing the wrong and guide him towards a good deed. Allah will help his ear hear only good things, help his eye see only good things, help his hand do good things.
The salve will hear and see only what Allah is pleased with. He will use his hands and feet for what Allah has ordered him to do.