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I The above is the correct path of purification and getting closer to Allah. If anyone follows a path other than that path-- of obeying and submitting to Allah by performing the obligatory and voluntary deedshe is simply deceiving himself. If he claims that he is getting closer to Allah by another path, his claim is no different from that of the polytheists who claimed that they were getting closer to Allah by worshipping their idols. Allah states their claim in the Quran, / ... ... it.J .,, / ... .... - / ., '" J 0 J / "' "" / "'"""" / ,., J "' ,., "' "" " L. ;4JI 5J6 ஔ IJ7I .._:_.r:!::UIJ 8G:J\ LT-:UI 9 \)\ "Surely, the religion (worship and obedience) is to Allah alone. And those who take protectors and helpers besides him [say,] 'We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.' Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever" (al-Zumar 3). It is very important to note that this path is not a path that necessarily takes a long amount of time or requires that the person passes through certain stages. A person can become one of the auliyaa of Allah very quickly by sincerity and devotion to Allah. This true sincerity and devotion may come after he performs only a few deeds. Indeed, from the outset, he may perform those deeds that are obligatory upon him and he becomes beloved to Allah. Then he continues on that path, with Allah guiding him to what is good and proper. This will be a sign that he is continuing as one of Allah's auliyaa. This is part of the great mercy and blessings of Allah. 2 The Goal of Purification According to the Quran and Sunnah When a person is seeking a path of purification, it is important that he recognize what is the goal of his purification. An incorrect goal can be very dangerous to his process of purification. The goal of Islamic purification is clear: the goal is to become as complete and truthful a servant of Allah that one can be. The goal of life is to worship and please Allah-- and receive His pleasure in return. This is accomplished by strengthening one's faith and humbly submitting to Allah 1 Quoted in Fareed, Tazkiyah, p. 24. 2 Cf., Hilaal, p. 1 49. 1 162 Hadith #38: "Whoever Shows Enmity to . . . " through the obligatory and voluntary deeds. This submission includes the outward submission as well as a submission of the acts of the heart. Allah has described the most noble of creation as His slaves and servants. This is the foremost praise that Allah has bestowed on any of the creation. Allah has said about the angels, for example, c:.. .... ., ,.. 'Q) ࣚ;ࣛ:;. o.,+/,.: ¢ 'Q .. DE £) ´j.'J\) ୙y..:. 11  ;. .. ž) "To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on earth. And those who are near Him (the angels) are not too proud to worship Him, nor are they weary (of His worship)" (al-Anbiyaa 19). Allah also says, (.. ., ,., J ,.. ,,,. ., ,., ୥.;J ). / ., ,., ,,... ,.. ;.) 0;.?J .. 11 ̀I 'Q) 9 1¥ 0ࣙ ui ́I ͂ J ̓ ̈́I ¬ઽ kb " l ,_AJ;m :;. n / ,,,. ; \. . ,,,. ,,.. ,,. / ,,,. "The Messiah [Jesus] will never be so proud to reject being a slave to Allah, nor the angels who are near (to Allah). And whosoever rejects worshipping Him and is proud, then He will gather them all together unto Himself' (al­ Nisaa 172). Allah has described the Messenger of Allah Muhammad (peace be upon him) as His slave and servant in numernus places in the Quran. For example, Allah said, J/1 ,,.1{\ |\ ¾ . i:J L-0ಐ 4/ " r e>.:JI C ( " J ; .... ,.. ; ஓ .. ..... .. · :. r ... ஒ "Exalted be He who took His slave [Muhammad (peace be upon him)] for a journey by night from al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the area of which We have blessed, in order that We might show him some of Our signs. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer" (al-Israa 1 ). The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was the most purified of mankind. He was the most complete servant and slave of Allah. Through his teachings, he also purified his noble Companions. In his teachings, the Creator and the creation always remained distinct. There was never any merging of the two of them. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was always the slave and Allah was always the Lord. The two never became united into one. Such "unification" is not the purpose or goal of mankind.