A person had written to Hadrat Hakim Sahib Rahmatullah-e-Alayh that he used to enjoy his Awwabeen Salaah prior to the month of Ramdaan. However, during the month of Ramdaan the performance of Awwabeen Salaah has become a customary act. Hadrat mentioned that a virtuous deed carried out as a customary practice should also be regarded as a great bounty.

Someone asked Hadrat Maulana Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi Rahmatullah-e-Alayh, “When I make Zikr it is done in a state of unmindfulness.” Hadrat replied, “Make Shukr that at least one part of your body is in the Zikr of Allah Ta'ala.”If one continues then gradually the other parts of the body will also engage in the Zikr of Allah Ta'ala.

The main thing is to carry out the Ibaadat. The conditions that are experienced by doing the various forms of Ibaadaat such as experiencing happiness etc. is a side issue. It is an added bonus if experienced but the important aspect is to carry out the Ibaadat itself. This means that a person should continue his Ibaadat with punctuality even though he doesn’t experience enjoyment.

Hadrat Maulana Abrar-ul-Haq Saheb Rahmatullah-e-Alayh. had explained that the Ibaadat in which a person doesn’t experience enjoyment is superior to the Ibaadat in which there is enjoyment. The reason being that the Ibaadat in which one experiences enjoyment is done purely for the enjoyment and not for the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala, whereas Ibaadat void of such enjoyment is done solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. This means that the Nafs of a person has no share in it, as a result of which Allah Ta'ala is pleased.

Normally a person that starts Ibaadat attains great pleasure in carrying out that Ibaadat. This ecstasy later disappears. This was actually a test from Allah Ta'ala to see whether a person is doing the Ibaadat for Allah Ta'ala or for his personal pleasure. If it was done for the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala then one would continue with the Ibaadat whether he attains enjoyment or not.

We were in Jamaat in France where a local brother had joined us. This person was always engaged in Salaah. I mentioned to a companion, who was an Alim from Bengal that I feel embarrassed as this brother is a newcomer yet he is always in Salaah. The Maulana replied by saying, “He is newly married.” When a person is married for a long period of time then he does not carry on like a newly married.

Also, a person may not derive any enjoyment in Ibaadat but he is imitating the Swaliheen (i.e. the pious and accepted servants of Allah Ta'ala). This customary practice eventually becomes Ibaadat of Ikhlaas. Haji Imdaadullah Muhajir Makki Rahmatullah-e-Alayh used to say, “Continue with your Ibaadat as Ikhlaas come into a person at a later stage.” Shaytaan deceives us that we should discard our Ibaadat if it is void of Ikhlaas. The Buzurgs explain that if a person intends pouring water into a glass then one should have a glass. If a person doesn’t have a glass yet he is requesting pure, distilled water then where will he pour the water? Similarly, a person should start making the Ibaadat of Allah Ta'ala and then only will Ikhlaas and devotion come.

A person that continues striving with sincerity will be blessed with the friendship of Allah Ta'ala before death. This is for such people that will be able to take care of it. Those that are unable to take care of it will be blessed with it just before death. They will then leave the world with excellent qualities and their work is also done. However, our job is to continue with our work all the time.