Purifying the heart

Dear Readers,

I stated that maturing process has two important phases and defined "Refinement of the Nafs" in my previous article. This article is about "Purifying the Heart".

"Purifying the Heart" (Tasfiatun Qalb) means cleaning the heart from all kind of spiritual diseases by getting rid of all bad things and then making the heart strong with Muhabbetullah (Love for Allah) by connecting it to Allah (swt).

In this way, "faith" becomes a real and strong belief. At this stage, there are no doubts or hesitations in the heart and no one can stop the person from faith.

# Spiritual diseases of the heart

There are many spiritual diseases of the heart. The most common disease of the heart is the commitment of the pleasures, desires, and wishes of nafs as a passion. In brief, it is obeying the rules of his nafs. This fake god in the person's heart fills the heart so that there isn't any space for the signs of Allah (swt). He doesn't remember Allah (swt).

The heart wishes earthly pleasures as goods, positions, various food, clothing and jewelries, sightseeing, entertainment and passion because it obeys the orders of his nafs. It is also the underlying reason for all evil things as pride, hate, etc...

This person's heart is filled with ideas and visions of the real world even while he prays for Allah (swt) unless he purifies his heart and refines his nafs, because the heart is subject to them spiritually.

# Two phases of purifying the heart

The desires of the nafs diminish gradually and the fake gods in the heart are erased in time through Riyazat (Self Discipline) and Mudjahada (Self-struggle), which means abstaining from everything Allah forbid and obeying His orders. Thus the first step of purifying the heart is achieved and the refinement of the nafs is completed by clearing its effect in the heart.

In the second phase the heart is filled with signs and love of Allah the real owner of human. This is only achieved through dhikr, which is the remembrance of Allah every time.

"Allah (swt) must be remembered every time. There must be nothing but Allah (swt) in the heart. One must dhikr when eating, drinking, sleeping, going somewhere, or coming back." (Imam-ı Rabbani)¹

The times when Allah (swt) is not remembered are called blindness. The heart must never be blind.

# A love story

Dear Readers,

I had a close friend when I was young. I will keep his name secret because it is a real story. He was attracted by a girl in our neighborhood. It was a simple attention that every young person can experience at first. Once I saw that he wrote the capital letter of his girl friend in his watch. I asked him the reason. He said he would like to remember her every time he looked at his watch. These remembrances strengthened his love for the girl and soon he fall in love with her. The girl was not so beautiful. However, who is loved is beautiful. "Copper becomes gold because of love." And this love ended in marriage.

Remembering the beloved ones strengthens the love in the heart. It strengthens the spiritual connection. If the remembrances are repeated continuously, the love in the heart becomes a passion. Don't our commitments to possessions, degrees and pleasures become constant ideas and passions as we think of them every time? Even the strongest love connections in the heart disappear without seeing and remembrance.

# Don't forget that Muhabbetullah becomes stronger by dhikr

Dear Readers, one must never forget that the most important factor that strengthens Muhabbetullah in the heart is dhikr (the remembrance of Allah) and never give up dhikr. Allah (swt) must be remembered as much as possible on every occasion.

It is ordered in the verse from the Qur'an that:

"Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah; for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction." (Rad, 28)

In Hadith it is also ordered that:

"Dhikr is the sign of Allah's love" (Bayhaqi)

Let's remember again that Rasulullah (s.a.w) ordered:

"The best way of dhikr is citing Lailahe illallah (There is no god, but Allah). " [Tirmidhi] 

# Dhikr is beneficial if one quits the things that are forbidden by religion

However, in order that dhikr which means remembrance Allah (swt) strengthens the love for Allah, the heart must leave the love for world and the things that are forbidden by religion.

Bayhaqi stated in a Hadith that:

"The one who cites "Lailahe illallah" is saved from torture unless he prefers world to religion. If he is interested in world rather than religion, Allah (swt) orders you are lying when he cites Lailahe illallah"

Taberani stated in another hadith that:

"Whoever recites Lailahe illallah sincerely enters Paradise. Reciting it sincerely detains the person from the harams."  [Haram means an act or product which is prohibited in Islam.]

# The essence of a mature belief is clearing the heart from love of world

Dear Readers,

Upon studying and thinking about these two Hadiths, it is understood that in order to fill the heart with belief and love for Allah (swt) which is the light of belief, in other words to have a perfect belief, one must leave his love for real world and quit the forbidden things by Islam.

I would like to remind that having wealth is different from "love for world". As you can remember, some of the Sahaba-i Kiram hazrats who were heralded with paradise were very rich. However, they didn't have love for wealth or real world in their hearts. Most of them spent their wealth for the sake of Allah when needed without hesitation. There are many rich people today whose hearts are filled with terrible love for wealth and real world even they needn't anything. They try to get rid of the people who are in need by saying "May God help you". What is criticized here is not the wealth but the love for the real world or the preference of real world to religion.

We must purify our nafs and clear the tendency for the haram things in order to benefit from dhikr spiritually. Afterwards, the affect of dhikr on the heart can be visible.

# The heart must never be blind

Allah (swt) bestows many blessings upon the people who remember Him all the time.

It is ordered in 35^th verse of Ahzab Surah in the Qur'an that:

 "...For men and women who engage much in Allah's remembrance, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward."

Of course, one of the most beautiful rewards is strengthening "Muhabbetullah" and reaching the perfect human level by purifying the person from animal characteristics, and the other reward is being able to see Allah (swt) in Paradise. According to some sources, the more a person remembers Allah in life, the more he will see Allah in the Hereafter. It is ordered in the verse from the Qur'an that:

 "But whosoever turns away from My Message, verily for him is a life narrowed down, and We shall raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment." [Ta-ha, 124]

Great scholars and Sufis recommend that the heart is never blind but dhikr all the time.

However, I realized that it is hard to realize it practically. I also understood that the meaning that the heart mustn't be blind even for a second is giving up to perform the things that are forbidden by religion by remembering Allah (Swt), thanking Allah for the blessings he gifted and being patient by remembering Allah (Swt) in the hard times. One must remember Allah (Swt) in every events and situations.

# Living in accordance with the orders of the religion is dhikr...

Imam-i Rabbani hazrats orders "Dhikr means saving oneself from blindness. Dhikr is not reciting Lailahe illallah (kalima-i tawhid) or Allah (swt) over and over. Dhikr is saving himself from blindness in any way. Therefore, obeying the rules and abstaining from the restrictions of is dhikr. The trading by concerning the laws of Sharia is dhikr. Marriage and divorce by Sharia rules is a way of dhikr because one remembers the owner of the orders and restrictions while performing these actions. It eliminates the blindness. The dhikr by the names and attributes of Allah (Swt) have faster affects by creating His love and make people reach Allah (Swt) sooner. The dhikr by orders and restrictions are not like this."²

It is clearly understood that believing Allah (swt) and obeying the rules of Sharia which Allah (swt) ordered is itself a way to dhikr. In other words, obeying the orders of the religion and abstaining its restrictions is a way of dhikr. Moreover, the dhikr by reciting kalima-i tawhid and the beautiful names and attributes of Allah (swt) help people reach love of Allah faster. In other words, light of belief in the heart shines faster by remembrance of beautiful names and attributes of Allah (swt) and human reaches the real belief level sooner. Thus, Marifetullah (Knowledge of Allah) accrues quicker.

# Our hearts become the place of Allah (Swt) by purifying the heart...

Our nafs will be purified if we abstain from the activities that Allah (swt) prohibits as committing adultery, disobeying our parents, perjuring, borrow and lend money at interest, drinking alcohol, gambling, accepting bribes and perform the activities that He orders as performing salaat, fasting, spending halal money on food and beverage, and being patient. The real world images in our hearts, which are related to desires of the nafs, are erased in time. Thus the meaning of "Lailahe" (There is no other God) becomes real in our hearts.

In addition to these performances, if we remember Allah (swt) on every occasion during the day without being unaware of Allah (swt), the dhikr and love of Allah (swt) begin to root in our hearts. Our hearts are filled with love of Allah (swt). We begin performing salaat as if we see Allah (swt). We feel Allah (swt) with us in every work we perform. And our hearts become the place of Allah (swt) in time.

It is ordered in the Qudsi Hadiths that:

"I am with him whenever my servant remembers Me…"

" Neither earth nor heavens has encompassed me, but the heart of my servant has encompassed me.."

"I am in the heart of believers."

The stage where the dhikr and love of Allah become constant in the heart is called Baqaa (Perpetuity) stage. Thus, the meaning of "illallah" (but only Allah) becomes real in our hearts.

In this way, the meaning of "Lailahe illallah" becomes complete in our hearts by saving our spirits from fake gods and reaching Allah Who created everything out of nothing, is unique, and has no partners or assistants. This heart is now a satisfied heart. This nafs has the belief, which is contented and satisfied with Allah.

God grant our hearts with belief, satisfaction, and peace.

Be entrusted to Allah.

------------------------- 
(1) Dini Terimler Sozlugu, Vol. 2, p.315 
(2) Gumus, M. Siddik (Ed.), 1993. Tam Ilmihal Seadet-i Ebediye, 55.Baski. p.885. Hakikat Ltd. Sti.Yay., Darussefeka Cad. No: 57/A, Fatih, Istanbul.

Refinement of the nafs (ego)

Dear Readers,

Islam is a divine order that tries to save human from everything his nafs idolized and to connect him with his real creator, Allah (swt). The basis of this order is "faith". This order aims at improving and nurturing the human by getting to know Allah (swt). Refinement of Nafs (tazkiyatun nafs) and Purifying the Heart (tasfiatul qalb) are two important stages of the maturation. This article is about "Refinement of Nafs".

Nafs is the self, which is composed of wishes and desires of the person. The ego, which expresses some wishes emerging from the vital needs for the person's life, is not what we call as nafs. The nafs that we mention about being refined is covered with evil desires and wishes that some of them has become passion because of continuous repetition. This is called "Nafs-i Ammara" (the evil-commanding nafs). "Nafs-i Ammara" is a nafs that doesn't know Allah nor pay attention to mind or heart. It pushes the person until it achieves what it wants by repeating them. Allah (swt) orders for such egos:

"The (human) soul is certainly incites to evil." [Yusuf, 53] 

This kind of personality needs the knowledge of Allah (Swt) and a divine training. Otherwise, the person will cause problems for himself and the society.

# The biggest struggle!

Rasulullah (s.a.w) ordered in the Hadiths that:

"The nafs surrounding you is the worst enemy of yours." [Deylemi] 

"The strongest enemy of the human is his nafs, then comes his family." [Deylemi] 

The nafs is a powerful enemy and it is hard to overcome it without the help of Allah. On returning from a holy war Rasulullah (s.a.w) said, "We returned from the Small Jehad, now it is time for the Big Jehad". The companions of Rasulullah (s.a.w) asked "What is the Big Jehad, ya Rasulullah?" He answered, "It is the struggle with the nafs". In another Hadith, it is ordered that:

"The supreme Jehad is the one with the nafs in the way of Allah" [Taberani] 

It is seen that to control the nafs is not easy and it is a supreme Jehad. It cannot be done without the help of Allah (swt).

Ruknaddin Abul Fath hazrats stated that:

"Refinement of nafs is only possible with help of Allah and seeking refuge in Allah. It is ordered in Qur'an that: "Yet I do not absolve myself (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly incites to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful" (Yusuf, 53). Nafs cannot be refined without the mercy and help of Allah. It is also ordered: "Were it not for the grace and mercy of Allah on you, not one of you would ever have been pure: but Allah doth purify whom He pleases: and Allah is One Who hears and knows (all things)" (Nur, 21). The sign of this mercy and grace is being shown his disgraces." And continues:

"...If a small piece of light from divine grandness shines in the heart of a person, he will value all the important people in the world as soil. The realities of the world would not be important for him. As it covers his heart, he hates the animal characteristics of the realities of the world.” ¹

# If a person counts on himself rather than Allah (swt)

If a person counts on his small will rather than Allah (Swt) about refinement of his nafs, he will learn the reality by swearing to give up and break his oaths many times, as I did before.

Dear Readers, our hearts must not be blind. Nothing happens in the universe without the permission and order of Allah (swt). Even a leaf cannot move nor can a feather fly. Therefore, we must ask Allah's help for everything in our lives and devote ourselves to Him and trust Him. Allah (swt) Who is merciful and graceful always responds His servants.

A person must be intelligent and try to refine his nafs. Allah (swt) orders that:

"Truly he succeeds that purifies it, And he fails that corrupts it!" [Shams, 9-10]

In Hadith it is also ordered that:

“The smart person is the one who takes control of their self and acts for what which comes after death; and the foolish person is the one who simply follows their whims and then has false hopes with Allah.”  [Tirmizi] 

Abu Bakr Tamsitani ordered, "Salvation from obeying the nafs is the biggest blessing, because nafs is the biggest obstacle between the human and Allah (swt)". ²

Sahl bin Abdullah Tusteri hazrats also ordered that: "The most precious worship is not to obey the wishes of nafs." ²

We shouldn't let our nafs free but try to dominate it with the help of Allah and refine the nafs from all kind of evil things in order to reach salvation.

# Refinement of nafs

Dear Readers,

Refinement of the nafs is controlling the never ending desires and wills of nafs, being saved from its passions and addictions, teaching the nafs to accept what Allah gives, disciplining it by nurturing its desires and training it to have its desires by the limits of religion rather than unlawful ways.

In brief, refinement of the nafs means controlling the negative desires and wishes of the nafs that may harm himself as they are excessive.

Allah (swt) ordered in a Hadith Qudsi that:

"Struggle with your nafs! Because your nafs is my enemy."

In Hadith, it is also ordered that:

"The supreme Jehad is the one with the nafs".  [I. Neccar]

This Jehad with the nafs is achieved by doing Riyazat and Mudjahada.

# Riyazat (Self Discipline)

"Riyazat means not performing the actions that nafs wishes."

"It is done by taqwa and wara. Taqwa means avoiding the things that are forbidden by religion. Wara means to avoid using the permissible things not more than needed, besides things that are forbidden by religion." (Muhammed Hadimi) ³

Dear Readers,

Self-discipline is helpful only when it is achieved within the frame of our religion's definition. Otherwise, it won't be helpful. "People understood that self-discipline meant starving and fasting. However, it is more difficult and helpful to eat as our religion orders than fasting for years. When a person is offered delicious food and he accepts only the amount that is ordered by our religion, which will be a superior self-discipline. If a person, who performs worship for a thousand of years and self-discipline with a difficult struggle, doesn't obey Rasulullah's order, all of his works will not be valuable. It is useless like a mirage in the desert." (Imam-i Rabbani)⁴

Sharafuddin Ahmet bin Yahya Muniri orders that:

"Islam doesn't order suppressing the lust and rage of the nafs but to make use of it according to the religion by controlling both of them. Riyazat is not used to suppress them, but to train them in accordance with the religion."²

# Mudjahada (Self-struggle)

Mudjahada means performing the unwanted and difficult actions for the nafs. In brief, it is worship and obedience to Allah's orders. "Worship means both training the nafs by struggling, and relieving the heart by having a spiritual connection with Allah (swt)." (Ali ibn Amrullah) ⁴

"The evil ideas that nafs reminds to a person are surpassed only by struggle (worship and obeying Allah's orders)". (Muhammed Hadimi) ⁴

# The thing that impedes recognition of Allah is the desires of the nafs!

Muhammed Masum hazrats orders that:

"The youth is the most precious times of a life. It is when a person is healthy and strong. As the time passes, we become older. Unfortunately, we leave reaching to Marifetullah (Knowledge of Allah) to the last phase of our lives, which are dreams... We spend the most honorable times of our lives on reaching the desires of the nafs which is the most harmful and worst thing."

"Allah (swt) created human and djinn to make them reach Marifetullah, His will and love. The strongest obstacle that prevents a person from reaching Marifetullah is his nafs."²

# Fanaa (Extinction) and Baqaa (Permanency) Stages

Dear Readers,

The reason of all prohibitions and orders of the religion and Riyazat and Mudjahada to obey them is to train the nafs to stop its wild wishes. The wishes of the nafs diminish as one obeys the rules of religion. As the visions of these heart-capturing desires disappear, the signs of Allah in the heart become clear. Muhabbetullah (love for Allah) replaces the love for the world in the heart.

[The meaning of Allah's signs becoming clearer in the heart is metaphorical. It means dhikr and remembrance of Allah in the heart.

Allah is excluded from all kind of thoughts, opinions, illusions, dreams and envisions in mind or heart. All of these envisions are created by Allah in our minds and they are not Allah Himself. Allah doesn't resemble anything that is created by Him.]

When the visions of world emerged in the heart because of the desires and wishes of nafs (ego characteristics as covetousness, arrogance, jealousy, vindictiveness) disappear, it is called "Fanaa" status. When the dhikr of Allah becomes continuous, it is called "Baqaa" status.

Refinement of the nafs helps someone achieve Fanaa stage although it is not enough for Baqaa stage. Therefore, the heart must be purified. I hope to write about purifying the heart in my next article.

Be entrusted to Allah.

----------- 
(1) Der. Abdullah Yildiz. Ruknaddin Abul Fath. Turkiye Gaz. Hikmetler kosesi 
(2) Der. Ali Guler. Nefsin terbiyesi. Turkiye Gaz. Bir Bilene Soralim kosesi 
(3) Dini Terimler Sozlugu, Vol. 2, p.141 
(4) Dini Terimler Sozlugu, Vol. 2, p.53 

The biggest worship

Dear Readers,

As one of the most important spiritualists, Ibrahim Hakki hazrats from Erzurum states love, affection and passion for Allah have solution for every problem. Because the love for Allah is the "light of the faith". The more this light is, the stronger the belief becomes. As belief progresses, a person is freed from his passions and addictions caused by the wishes and desires. One begins breaking the chains of "ego" which is the biggest captivity. He begins to surpass beyond his "egocentric" personality by getting away from egoism gradually. He realizes the other values rather than himself. While he doesn't care anything except himself by considering his will and desires, he explores new realities by breaking the imaginative fiction world of his ego. He realizes what his ego has done to him gradually. This means knowing his nafs (ego) and Allah gradually. This is the beginning of salvation from unawareness. It is called "yakaza" state in Tasawwuf.

"Yakaza" state is a transition where one escapes from "meaning blindness" and realize "meaning realities" (Al Haqq ). The relation between a person in "yakaza" state with meaning realities is alike the relation between semiconscious person and real world.

# The status of a person who deifies his own whim

Be careful when a person, whose heart is blind, captured by his ego, says he believes in Allah (swt). Because his real god is the passion of his nafs. Allah (swt) orders:

"Seest thou such a one as taketh for his god his own passion (or impulse)? Couldst thou be a disposer of affairs for him?"  (Furqan, 43) 

"Then seest thou such a one as takes as his god his own vain desire? Allah has, knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his heart (and understanding), and put a cover on his sight. Who, then, will guide him after Allah (has withdrawn Guidance)? Will ye not then receive admonition?" (Jathiya, 23)
 

If those people are forced to choose between their passions and works appropriate to Allah's will, they always prefer to be subject to their own desires. However, as his love for Allah (swt) increases and his belief becomes mature, he prefers Allah's will. Dear Readers, never look down on someone who says I believe in Allah (swt) regarding his state. As Allah's mercy is wide enough to cover everyone having a piece of belief in his or her hearts. It is ordered in the verse from the Qur'an that:

"The desert Arabs say, "We believe." Say, "Ye have no faith; but ye (only) say, 'We have submitted our wills to Allah,' For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Hujurat, 14)

It is seen that even the belief doesn't cover the heart totally, anyone who obeys Allah (swt) and Rasulullah (pbuh) are gifted with unlimited mercy of Allah. Therefore, never try to evaluate someone's belief by considering his sins. Allah (swt) has the judgment. Try to be close to Allah (swt) and work for your own salvation by having Allah's sake. Help yourself first to help others salvation.

# The way to escape from unawareness: Remembering Allah

Dear Readers, the biggest disaster that a person can experience is being unaware of Allah (swt), his creator. Then a person doesn't realize that Allah (swt) decides on everything about his life, as life and death, world and Hereafter, richness and poverty, good and bad, wellness and illness, but thinks that some weak and unable things have some power and strength. He can understand the reasons but he cannot understand the reason of reasons. However, even a leaf cannot move without Allah's will.

The most significant way to be saved from this unawareness is reading Qur'an, the words of Allah and mention Allah as much as possible. It is ordered in the Hadiths that:

"Qur'an and dhikr strengthens the faith in heart just as the water grows the grass" (Ramuz al-Ahadis) 

"For everything there is a polish and the polish for the heart is the dhikr of Allah" [Bayhaki] 

"The difference between someone who remembers His Lord and someone who does not is like the difference between the living and the dead." (Bukhari) 

# The biggest worship is mentioning Allah

Dear Readers, I stated in my previous article that spending time with something and remembering it often creates spiritual connections that we are not aware of by forming "spiritual closeness". I also stated that this spiritual closeness is transformed into "spiritual passion" in time if the remembering is repeated continuously. It is a characteristic of human nature. It is completely natural. Remember how lovers, game addicts, fans of Metallica and sport fans become addicted.

Love and passion for Allah is a source of mercy and goodness that controls all harmful passions of the nafs. We must transform the love and belief of Allah (swt) in our heart to a passion, to get rid of or at least control all other passions and commitments of our nafs. It can be accomplished by obeying orders of Allah (swt) and remembering Him as much as possible. Therefore, it was very important for Allah and His messenger Rasulullah (saw), that people read Qur'an and remember Allah (dhikr). "Dhikr" is given a great importance. Even Allah (swt) mentioned Qur'an and Salah as dhikr. As M. Esat Cosan hazrats stated, dhikr is mentioned 200 times in Qur'an and it is ordered that Allah (swt) must be remembered often. These are the evidences to show how important remembering Allah is. Remembering Allah is so important that, it is ordered in Ankabut, 45 that:

"Remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt." (Ankabut, 45) 

 Rasulullah ordered in one of his Hadith that: 

"The one who engages in dhikr has the highest rank of all before Allah than the spending of gold and silver in the service of Allah or taking part in jihad and  becomes red with their blood, truly those who do dhikr are better than him in rank. Remembrance of Allah (swt) is superior to giving gold and silver in charity. This is dhikr. Then remember Allah more." (Ibn-i Hibban)  

Rasulullah ordered that dhikr has a higher rank than being a martyr for Allah (swt).

In my opinion, now you can understand why ahl-i tasawwuf  (Sufis) put significant emphasis on dhikr.

# The easiest but the most fructuous worship

Dhikr is such worship that it doesn't have "time" or "place" limitations. It has no certain conditions. It is done through the heart by remembrance. It is the easiest worship. It can be done at night, during the day, at bed, in the bus, in the sea while you are walking or doing sports. It can be done in every place and every occasion. But the best is to do dhikr by sitting towards the Qibla in a cleaned state with wudu. As dhikr is acquiring a spiritual skill; it is based on remembering Allah by heart.  Repetition will not be helpful without remembering by heart. However, one mustn't give up repeating it as it is not helpful. Even once Allah is remembered by heart when you say Allah for 100 times, this remembrance by heart is a great gain. How some announce at commercials on radio and television take place in our hearts by repetition, the voiced dhikr places in our hearts when it is repeated continuously. Dhikr is easy and beneficent protecting people from Allah's gadap. Rasulullah ordered that:

"Who cannot pray at night or spend his good in charity must remember Allah more." [Bazzar]

"Remember Allah always so that you may be saved." (Tirmizi, Ibnu Mace)

As I stated in my previous article, the highest level of remembering Allah is saying "Lailahe illallah" as much as possible. It is ordered in the hadiths that:

"The best dhikr is Lailaha illallah." [Tirmizi]

Allah, which is the real name of Him or other beautiful names of Him can be remembered to dhikr. What is important here is to remember Allah (swt) in every occasion and fill our hearts by His love and belief. It is ordered in the verse from the Qur'an that:

"When ye have performed the prayers, celebrate Allah's praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides."  (Nisaa, 103)

The heart must remember Allah every moment. A person mustn't be unaware of his Creator whom he will reach for sure. Rasulullah ordered that someone who doesn't remember Allah when sitting, laying or walking will regret this in the Hereafter. Don't regret by forgetting Allah and get lost in the beauties of the world.

Be entrusted to Allah.

Human's debt of gratitude

Dear Readers,

I stated that one of the most important mechanisms enabling the harmony to social environment is "automation" in my previous article. Automation means becoming the unconscious spiritual acquisitions of the repeated behaviors, repeated ideas and repeated memories, by connecting to a spiritual automation. Most of the time people are not even aware of it. Automation is a phenomenon acquiring skills in behaviors, interactions, relations, and connections. Those spiritual acquisitions and relations reflect to heart as "spiritual affinities" or "spiritual connections". As long as repeats increases, this spiritual connections become more stronger. Moreover, after a while these spiritual passions become addictions. This love and passion in the heart makes the person a crazy of the loved thing.

These love and passions, which became addictions, are blessings if they are for good things that Allah (swt) approves. They bring benefits and good things for themselves and their society. However, if they are about their nafs (ego), they will bring disasters for both themselves and their society. Even the things that are considered as harmless are related to the nafs, cause problems when they become passions and addictions. For example, a little child who always plays computer games can be a "game addict", a teenager who listens to music becomes "music addict", a mother who watches tv series becomes " tv series addict" and a father who always watches football matches becomes "football addict". Those people are interested in anything but what they are addicted to. They began ignoring each other because of their addictions. They never quit their addictions as they really enjoy them. Therefore, the family members are like strangers even they live in the same house. The communication, love, and connection between the family members disappear.

# Spiritual passions and addictions are the disasters of the human

The spiritual connections and passions that emerge by repeating the spiritual desires are generally not limited to the thing what is being addicted to according to the strength of the spiritual love. It comprises other related things. For example a football addict is also interested in the football teams, players, TV shows and football interpretations in the newspapers. In other words, interest and love for something is not limited for the thing itself but also comprises what is related to them. Therefore, these addictions and passions are for a group of objects and events.

These passions and addictions of nafs (ego), which are illnesses, are disasters that capture his nafs unconsciously and unaware of the bad things it brings because of the love in his heart. Many people don't need a cure, as they are not aware of the situation.

The shortest way to get rid of such passions and addictions is being away of their addictions. The repeated synergy causes spiritual connections although when a person abstains them these spiritual connections disappear. There is a proverb in Turkish "Out of sight, out of mind".

The real key to salvation from these addictions is love and remembrance of Allah (swt). This remembrance draws away all other passions in time by keeping him away from all other desires and creates a love and passion for Allah. Ibrahim Hakki hazrats from Erzurum ordered, "Love, affection and passion for Allah have solution for every problem. Love is a fire in the heart. It burns anything rather than Allah in the heart." 

# Human's Debt of Gratitude

The most important passion that must be in a person's heart is the love of Allah. This is a person's debt of gratitude. Because Allah is the one who created him and meets all his needs. Allah is the owner, patron and the closest friend of the human. Allah is the real owner of every blessing that is given to human in many occasions. The Creator presented the human with a hundred of bio-mechanisms. Every moment, hundred thousands of enzymes, coenzymes, hormones, chemical group agents and electron agents provide the power and energy for some precursors and components and keep the body healthy by completing ten thousands of biosynthesis perfectly. Allah (swt) protects the human from the harmful fungi, bacteria, and viruses with various protection, defense, and immunity mechanisms. Allah (swt) supports the human for the negative conditions of the ecology with hundreds of compliance mechanisms. Allah (swt) enables the healthy continuity of humankind by genetic, somatic, physiologic, and psychological mechanisms. Allah (swt) is the one Who provides health, welfare, and well-being of human and humankind every minute. Allah (swt) enables human evaluate his present, past and future and take precautions beforehand for the possible difficulties by creating amazing and helpful knowledge, inventions, and works as a result of various plans and designs. Allah makes human righteous by the perfect education support which is called "religion" and reach the level of moral nobility that no other creature has. Doesn't human have a debt of gratitude for the infinite blessings, which cannot be listed here adequately? Therefore, the biggest love, passion and addiction must be for Allah (swt) Who is the creator and ruler of the entire universe and the real owner of all benefits, goodness and blessings that the humans are gifted with.

Unfortunately, most of the people live unaware of Allah (swt) and the infinite blessings given by Allah (swt). Of course, the most important reasons of this blindness are the wishes and desires of nafs. The human who is stuck in the never-ending desires of his nafs cannot realize the blessings of Allah (swt).

The human must try to identify his nafs and educate it by abstaining from what Allah (swt) forbids (Riyazat) and being subject to what Allah (swt) orders (Mudjahada). Afterwards, he must have a strong love for Allah (swt) by remembering Allah (swt) to whom he owes gratitude and thanks. A person mustn't forget Allah even for a second. Everybody will meet Allah (swt) one day when he will be asked how and where he used these blessings. Nobody can escape from it. Allah, who has the power to create out of nothing, build and rule the universe having perfect order, also has the power to recreate the human and question him. Nobody must doubt it.

One mustn't forget that human needs the love and closeness to Allah. Allah (Swt) doesn't need the closeness of any of His servants. As He is nearer to each of servant than (his) jugular vein. It is ordered in the verses from the Qur'an that:

"It was We Who created man, and We know what suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than (his) jugular vein." (Qaf, 16)

# A person must remember Allah every minute

Dear Readers,

A person must zikr (remember) Allah (swt) and recite "bismillah" before beginning any work. He must recite "Lailahe illallah" (kelime-i tevhit) when he feels that his heart is filled with anything rather than Allah, "Subhanallah" (kelime-i tenzih) when he thinks the greatness of Allah, "Elhamdulillah" (kelime-i tahmid) when Allah gifts him with blessings, "Allah-u Ekber" (kelime-i tekbir) when he thinks the supremacy of Allah (swt), "La havle ve la kuvvete illa billah" (kelime-i temcit) when he thinks Allah has the power for everything, "Hasbinallah ve nimel vekil" when he trusts Allah about everything, "Estagfirullah" (kelime-i istigfar) when he falls into a sin or remembers his past sins. A person must remember Allah (swt) by every work he performs, everything he faces, and every condition he is in.

One must cite "Lailahe illallah" which is the superior zikr as much as possible. He must cite it so many times that the others think he is crazy. It is ordered in the hadiths that:

"Mention Allah as much as you want, until (factious) people say that you are crazy" (Ramuz'ul Ehadis)  

Zikr must be cited by heart or by words that can be heard only by the person himself.

A person reaches the real knowledge of Allah only after the remembrance of Allah becomes an irreplaceable passion in his heart. This is when Marifetullah occurs. Therefore, how a newborn baby gets to know his mother, who is always with him taking care of all the needs, better than everyone, a person who remembers Allah and His blessings is aware of Allah.

Be entrusted to Allah.

Physical and mental automation, spiritual affinities

Dear Readers,

The most pleasant thing for all the living creatures in the divine system is, of course, a physical and social environment according to their will to live. In other words, it is an environment appropriate to their natural qualities. I have witnessed many examples of this, as I have to work with living materials because of my profession. Have you ever observed how the tomato plant grows in 25-26 degree Celsius with rich water and nutrition? Have you ever seen how strong a bacterium grows in an incubator adjusted to 37 degree Celsius, which is the development optimum of it in an appropriate environment? Have you ever witnessed how a person argues excitedly and enthusiastically amongst the people who like to think and generate ideas like him, however he is in fact introverted and quiet?

Unfortunately, it is not always possible for a living thing to live in an appropriate environment. A tomato plant which is adjusted to 25 Celsius degree has to grow in 15 Celsius degree or an asthenic person who loves to think and generate ideas has to live with picnic type people who don't like to think but to run errands. Of course, this situation is a source of stress for those living things.

However, Allah (swt) never leaves helpless the creatures that He created with His mercy; He equipped almost each living creature with physiologic, somatic, and psychological mechanisms in order to adopt their environments.

# Physical and mental automation

The most advanced of these mechanisms is the physical and mental automation of the living things.

The actions that are repeated for some reasons transform into habits first and then they become passions and addictions. The memories, thoughts, and dreams repeated mentally become delusions and obsessions. However, habits and delusions are normal psychological phenomenon, obsessions and passions are psychological illnesses that must be cured.

I would like to give you a few examples for a better understanding.

If you can drive a car or play a musical instrument, remember the first days you were learning how to do these. You were showing a great attention towards the behavior you intend at first. Every move you wanted to do was so hard that you had to think about them for days. The difficulties might also be in your dreams at nights. However, after you learned, all the difficulties were lost and you began doing many things automatically without thinking. The automation of the repeated actions is called the "creation of habit" or "automation". The habits mean some activities which are realized with suffering and pain because they were hard becoming more enjoyable by automation with our inborn capabilities. If the behaviors, which became habits, are repeated because of pleasure, "passions" and "addictions" occur. It is observed that many young people who used to drive cars become addicted to it in time. You can always see young people who are addicted to music or games. People use the term "be crazy for something" for the addictions, which turn into illnesses.

Although in physical habits the heart is full with ideas and visions related to these actions at first, as the actions become automatic, the heart is relieved because the spiritual occupation is decreased. Mental habits are just the opposite of physical habits. Some ideas and memories become "delusions" that has more place as they are repeated. If these repetitions continue, they occupy the heart completely by creating "intellectual obsessions".

# Spiritual Affinities Emerged from Togetherness: "Spiritual Connections"

Dear Readers, there is also another type of automation, called "conditioning", that results from the repetition of the relations; it is one of the most important factors of spiritual affinities. I want to give you an example on the subject:

Consider the situation of a student in a country far from his own, at a university he is not familiar with. He has a new social environment composed of people he doesn't know. He begins to like good behaviors of some people in this environment. Some "spiritual relations" start towards these people in his heart. They are one-way sympathies.

If one of these people has time to greet or chat for a while, this one-way sympathy transforms into a communication. And the love for his new friend grows bigger. As this "spiritual connection" gets stronger, he has more ideas, dreams, and visions of his new friend.

If he continues the relations with his friend and they go out to eat or do sports or watch football match or see an exhibition together frequently, this "spiritual connection" gets stronger. Now that the lives of these two become the same. Therefore, he frequently remembers his friend.

One of the great Islam scholars, Abdulhakim Arvasi said "The heart is subject to eyes and ears". In other words, the heart will have visions and memories of what ears and eyes are busy with.

If these friends see each other very often then he is so unified with the other that he cannot do without him. His heart is full of the thoughts, ideas, and visions of him. If his friend is female, the visions at heart are accompanied by the sexual wishes and desires of the ego.

Those thoughts in mind now are "obsessions". He doesn't inhibit thinking or remembering his friend. He cannot erase the visions of him even he wants to do it. Because they are now part of his personality.

# Mentioning makes spiritual affinities stronger

Dear Readers, some "spiritual connections" emerge when people are always with some living and nonliving things, not only with their friends, because of conditioning.

It is not important what you are with. It can be a friend, an animal or even a non-living thing.

If a person goes for a walk on the same street continuously, some "spiritual connections" emerge in his heart. If he visits another city for a while, he misses everything on that street because of the spiritual connections he is not aware of. These spiritual connections become stronger if their memories are repeated by photos, films, videos, or conversations about them.

The human soul generally shows the same reactions to the dreams of the things and events as it reacts to the real ones. For example, a person who sees someone he loves is happy and when he remembers him, he becomes happy again. Many people are afraid of going out at night because they are afraid of the thoughts and ideas of them. Many people show mimics of disgust, as they see the thing in real, when a disgusting is mentioned. Because of this feature of the heart that it shows the same reactions to visions and realities, how the spiritual connections are formed at togetherness with the self of the goods, likewise spiritual connections are formed at togetherness with their dreams. Each time he remembers the thing, situation or the event, these spiritual affinities become stronger.

Dear Readers, this physical and spiritual automation and the spiritual connections are the most important factors that ease our adaptation to physical and social environment and make us happy.

These "conditionings" and the "spiritual closeness" that occurs in our hearts, of course, is a big mercy and gift of Allah. A "spiritual love circle" is formed between "human" and "everything around human". And a person will realize the love circle when he is away from this environment and begins to miss them. However, if the limits are exceeded in terms of these spiritual connections, they become "addiction" and "obsessions" like our mental activities. They transform into psychological illnesses that disturb our lives. Whereas the person must be in the midway. It is ordered in the Hadiths that:

" Avoid very extremeness and very scantiness." [Bukhari]

"Who is excessive would be destroyed.” [Muslim]

"The medium work is good." [Deylemi, Beyheki]

# The passion for Allah cleans off all the things in heart rather than Allah.

Therefore, Allah Who knows everything He created tries to protect human from this immoderateness. This is the reason why Allah ordered and advised human not to give importance to anyone or anything but Allah's will.

It is ordered in Qur'an 84 times that Allah must be mentioned as much as possible.

Rasulullah ordered in the Hadiths that:

"Mention Allah as much as you want, until (factious) people say that you are crazy" (Ramuz'ul Ehadis) 

When the person mentions Allah, a "spiritual closeness" is formed in his heart such as the spiritual connection for the material. Every time this remembrance is repeated, this "spiritual affinity" gets stronger. It becomes a "spiritual passion" after a while.

This divine passion for Allah clears off all the other things rather than Allah. Therefore, there is no love or commitment as a passion left in the heart rather than Allah. Allah is always loved the most. 

 The Muslims having real belief has no psychological obsessions, passions, or addictions.

Anyway, Islam itself is a divine order that tries to replace human in its real place by connecting him to the real deity Allah by purifying the human from all the things that his ego has divinized

Be entrusted to Allah.