SPIRITUAL STATE:Is the sublime state of life of closet relationship with Almighty Allah(swt)in which man (spiritual soul and material body)exhibit fully the natural pure nature/angelic qualities which is inherent in him by submitting to the Natural Truth of Allah’s commands which gives him the power that transcend the wickedness of the evils (Surah An-Nahl 16:45-47),helps him to overcome the pressure and deceit of material word (Surah Al-Kahf 18:46), fortifies him with command from all kind of weakness and sinfulness (Surah Muhammad 47:2) and is filled with spiritual light and power (Surah Al-Hadid 57:28).

Thus fulfilling the Prophet(SAW) saying that “the best of Allah’s servants are those who when seen remind one of Allah”.


ANY DIFFICULTY?
Attaining Spiritual perfection is more or less living your normal life but with a vigilant mind and carefulness in behaviour in respect to that which Allah approves and prohibits.“Abstinence from world is not forbidding what is allowed nor wasting wealth but,it is that,one be not pre-occupied with mundane activity in one’s hand but more firmly to what is in the hand’s of Allah” said Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

Allah says in Surah An-Najm 53:39-“And man shall have nothing except what he strove for”
It means that you must prepare your mind and have positive disposition to this matter,let there arise a burning desire for it in your heart,then Allah will make it easy for you (Surah Ar-Rad 13:11).
The Prophet (SAW) have spelt out the sacrifice as follows “there is no wisdom like organizing and no abstinence like self restraint and no distinction like good manner.”

Therefore try to organize your life,abstain yourself and display good manner.A little effort and sacrifice is required but the returns are enormous and everlasting according to the following!

HAVE FAITH
The firm faith and belief needed to serve as the solid foundation for spiritual growth and perfection and the force capable of taming the lustful drives and evil desires which may influence man’s pure nature and character is the unconfused Islamic monotheism belief that induces true character of a sincere servant of Almighty Allah(swt).Its principles are:
The sayings of the heart;
the actions of the heart;
the sayings of the tongue and;
the actions of the limbs in obedience to the objectives of articles of Islamic faith.

Following deep thinking and positive reasoning that differentiate man from animal it is then a matter of personal conviction to believe and mould your life on the objectives of articles of Islamic faith (Surah An-Nisa 4:136).
1)That Allah(swt) is Only True God who created,protects and sustains you (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:225).

2)Belief in angels makes you feel that you are in this universe with some invisible friendly and righteousness creatures who carry out Allah’s order on you (Surah Qaf 50:17-18).

3)Belief in the Holy book (Al-Quran) makes you feel at peace and ease of having complete divine manual for guided and successful life (Surah Al-Anam 6:38).

4)Belief in the Prophets (Peace be upon them all)opens way for you to know and take clue from them as a model of virtue and correct foundation of excellent moral necessary for spiritual growth and perfection (Surah An-Nisa 4:163-165).

5)Belief in the day of judgment drives you to control your behaviour and life according to the divine laws of justice and righteousness,making you conscious of grand accountability (Surah Az-Zumar39:70-72).

5)Belief in divine destine makes you grow stronger in the face of calamities and to face them with patience and courage,and not to succumb to them or be despaired (Surah Al-Hadid 57: 22-23)which consequently fortify your spiritual status.


EXHIBIT MORALS
The power of distinguishing right from wrong is inherent in individuals.Allah says in the glorious Quran in Surah Ash-Shams 91:7-9-“By the soul and its perfection and as to its enlightenment as to good and bad…”.

Holiness goes with godliness which is a must to be adorned every time.Take to forgiveness even to your enemy
Allah says in Surah Fussilat 41:34-“And good and evil are not alike,repel evil with that which is best.”
Nothing befits man in every aspect of life than moral habit and sincere faith is only fruitful when coupled with good character, hence anybody who separates faith from good work and kindness will never attain Spiritual growth or its perfection.When man performs good deeds he opposes satan and rises toward the angels “nobody can be a true believer unless he likes for his brother what he like for himself” said the prophe(SAW).
One should therefore have a good disposition toward every creature and endeavour to exhibit the excellent virtues of truthfulness,kindness,respect,modesty, humility and liberality and exert all his power to keep away from falsehood,idle-talk,injustice,backbiting,cursing,adultery, miserliness,pride and all sorts of evil deeds (Surah Al-Anam 6:120).

Allah says in Surah At-Tin 95:4-5- “We have created man in the best make (with moral deeds), then (if he works iniquity) we reject him as the lowest of the low”

AVOID EVIL THOUGHT
When man thinks he then translates his thought into action.People’s absorption in thoughts about a thing is the preparatory stage for that thing to happen.For this reason positive and good thoughts lead you to perform decent and godly actions while evils and bad thoughts prepares you to commit indecent and devilish actions, stunting and cutting you off the spiritual growth and gradually eliminating good thoughts and blackens your heart and soon become your habit that destroy your life.

Have time to reflect on attaining decent life and exalted post of spiritual perfection. Avoid your thought to centre on cheating, fornication,disobedience,lying,fraud, deceit,drunkenness,oppression or causing trouble.

“Good thoughts are part of good worship” said our beloved Prophet(SAW).Accustom yourself to reflecting on the verses of the holy Quran and hadith of the Prophet(SAW) is the simplest and easiest way towards spiritual growth.


LEARN RESTRAINT
Restraint is just like “Prevention which is better than cure”.One must try to resist the temptations of carnal self and to stand up against the pressure of emotional urges. Restraint will be meaningful and possible for you if you have strong conviction of your belief,see dignity in morality and have respect for human merit and self integrity. Bringing into mind the consequence of an act that violates above mentioned qualities according to Quran and Hadith will induce certain restrain,and this canbe improved upon.Restraint goes with positive reason and courage,for it requires to stand up for solat in the day or at night while others are busy merry-making or sleeping.

It requires courage to speak the truth when you are expected to tell lie and indeed it requires courage to vie for spiritual growth while your colleagues are in pursuit of material wealth.Restraint can atimes be accomplished by seizing one’s leisure time in dong religious deeds and by avoiding thinking or engaging in deals that can incite evils (Surah Al-Isra17:32)

Allah says in the glorious Quran in Surah At-Taghabun 64:16- ''So fear Allah as best as you can and listen and obey and spend in God’s way… and whosoever is restrained of the covetousness of his own soul shall be successful”.

To acquire Spiritual growth therefore demands that every temptation and evil desire be courageously restrained.

READ HOLY BOOKS
Holy books such as Quran,Hadith and good Islamic texts are sources of clear knowledge of divine guidance and law (Sharia)[Surah Al-Jatiyah 45: 18]that pave way for human betterment,happiness and Spiritual growth.

One should therefore cultivate the habit of reading them regularly,digesting and try to practicalising the commands therein.This undoubtedly leads to pious life,peace and spiritual wisdom and growth

Allah says in Surah Ibrahim 14:1-“This (Quran) is a book which We have revealed to you that you may bring mankind out of every darkness (of corruption) into the light (of Spiritual perfection)”

Reading corrupts books and magazines must be stopped as they have no spiritual or moral benefit but devastate the foundation of one’s faith and blind spiritual instinct.In his last message Prophet Muhammad(SAW) said “I am leaving two great things for you,these are Holy Quran and my practice (Hadith) if you follow them never will you be distressed or strayed.” Therefore,set up for yourself a functional and up to date Islamic library.


ASSOCIATE WITH PIOUS COMPANY

Allah says in Surah At-Taubah 9:119[b] “O ye who believe fear Allah and be among those who speak the truth”[/b]
A recommendation from Allah in order to attain spiritual perfection.You must associate with the pious because man necessarily yields to the influence of his group whether good or bad.A yoruba adage says “Sheep that flocks with dog will eat shit.”If you keep bad company,your character would gradually pick up their degenerated and deviant qualities falling you into ruin through their shallow reasoning,disobedient and sinful habits. Allah warns in An-Najm 53:29-“So turn aside from him who turns away from our remembrance and seeks nothing but the life of this world”.

Company with pious group awakens piety in you and nourishes your soul and spiritual faculties due to their sublime thought and the inclination to virtue and piety.Enroll your self in an Islamic group known for its sunnah,good moral and spiritual inclination that avoids bid’ a and be active in all its programme.

Allah says in Surah Al-Maidah 5:55- “Verily your friend is none but Allah,His messenger and the believers”.

The Prophet(SAW) said To be alone is better than to have a bad companion and a good companion is better than being alone.

PERFORM SOLAT
Solat is a must for anyone who wishes to attain and perfect his spiritual status,as it is the mean of conversing with Allah reminds one of the covenant made with Allah (Surah Al-Araf 7:172).
It demonstrates the highest and true submission,respect,praise and worship of Allah which make the pursuit of spiritual perfection prosper (Surah Al-Hajj 22:77).It draws one near to Allah and makes one avoid evil and indecent deeds leading to spiritual growth and perfection (Surah Al-Ankabout 29:45).

Allah has prescribed that “Glorify your Lord (with solat) before the rising of the sun and before it setting and that you glorify Him in the sides of the day and at night that thou may find true happiness” Surah Ta-ha 20:130.

It is this true happiness that spiritual perfection brings to its possessor.In addition Tahajjud (Mid-night nafl,dhikri and supplication) is the driving force of attaining spiritual perfection;they speed the attainment,fortify and raise the spiritual status.
Allah says in Surah Al-Isra 17;79-“And wake up for it in the latter part of the night (Tahajjud) as a superogatory prayer for you, soon will Allah raise you to a station of praise and glory”.

That station of praise and glory is spiritual perfection.Prophet Muhammad said “the door of good deeds are observing the Tahajjud which draws man nearer to Allah”.
Solat and Tahajjud must therefore be humbly,devotedly and constantly observed.


TAKE TO FASTING
Fasting is not the name of merely keeping away from eating and drinking but it is also keeping away from wicked and obscene things …” said the Prophet(SAW). Fasting avoids pleasure and anyone who dismisses pleasure is less likely to misbehave for it is a resistance against vicious habits and opposition to canal desire,fasting upgrades one’s spiritual status.

The ProphetSAW) said “There is almsgiving for everything and the almsgiving for the body is fasting”


Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183- “Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may become righteous”.
Apart from the Ramadan fasting the Prophet(SAW) enjoined voluntary fasting on Mondays and Thursdays as well as the 13th, 14th and 15th days of every Luna month (Hijra Calendar) for your spiritual upliftments and perfection.

May Allah bless you for this. This is the essence worship - sincerity and a conscious mind. Otherwise our actions are like mechanical deeds without any spiritual connection

SUPPLICATE AND REPENT
Sincere Du’a (supplication) is a light that illuminates one’s mind and upgrades iman. It is of paramount importance to be making constant supplication,specifically on the attainment of spiritual perfection. Allah says in Surah Ghafir 40:60- “Call on Me (Allah) and I will answer you…”. Prophet Muhammad(SAW) said “Prayer is the sword of a Muslim”.

Fervent prayer should therefore be used to cut off any evil impediment on the way and to reap divine light, wisdom and power from Allah’s field of mercy.The supplication should also include seeking forgiveness of one’s misdeed with a penitent heart.

Allah says in Surah Muhammad 47:19- “Know therefore that there is no God except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sins and for believing men and women…”.

Moreover one should repent from past iniquities,this makes one conscious of his actions and resists one of going back to evils,which consequently lead to spiritual upliftment (Surah Az-Zumar 39:53-54).


PRACTICE GOD’S REMEMBRANCE Spiritual perfection is attained,fortified and enlivened by God’s remembrance (Dhikri) which contains celebration of Allah’s praises,recitation of Quran and Hadith and reflecting and contemplating on the meaning.Heart grows and enjoys the spiritual ecstasy associated with God’s remembrance and one is even rewarded and uplifted in spiritual status.It is through God’s remembrance that one can discover the secret of Satan (Surah Al-Araf 7:201), acknowledge the truth surrounding greatness of the reward of God’s command and the gravity of the punishment of His prohibitions which instill fear and obedience in one’s heart leading to peace and satisfaction of mind.

Allah says in Surah Ar-Rad 13:28- “Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in Allah’s remembrance, certainly in remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort”.

Anybody who shun or belittle this matter has indeed sold himself to satan and never would such find a way nor attain spiritual growth.
Allah says in Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:36-37- “whoever forgets the remembrance of Allah.We appoint for him a satan who become his companion… leading him astray…”.

Reserve a time in the night and/or day for Allah’s remembrance and you will no doubt achieve spiritual wisdom.

BARRIERS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH Whosoever disbelieved in oneness of Allah or failed to let the objectives of the articles of Islamic faith influence his life will deprive himself of spiritual wisdom and growth (Surah An-Nisa 4:28-30).
Sins,crimes and innovation (bid’ah) are barriers to salvation and spiritual growth. They stunt it and cut it off (Surah An-Anam 6:120).
Forbidden foods should be avoided (Surah Al-Maidah 5:3) as well as alcohol and smoking (Surah Al-Maidah 5:90-91), because apart from being haram,they tend to destroy “the body” that shelters “the spiritual soul” thereby hampering the spiritual growth.Also,pessimistic individual under the influence of negative thought or doubtful mind about the importance of spiritual growth will undermine his will and capacity to vie for it and never would such acquire spiritual wisdom or perfection.


Assessment
One need to be asking him/her self from time to time as to improving or reducing in Spiritual status (duties discussed) which can be answered by the fact that “the sign of attaining spiritual perfection is that every indecent,weakness and evil act arouse disgust in you and you feel shy and discourage of practice at all.”
The Prophet(SAW) said “When your good work gives you pleasure and your evil work grieves you,then you are a man of faith”.

By this you have attained the wisdom and achieved the perfection.


An ideal Muslim must be all round good (Surah Al-Furqan 25:63-75).
Allah has called in Surah Al-Maidah 5:35- “O ye who believe fear Allah and seek the way of approach unto Him and strive in His way that you may prosper”.

Pursuing and attaining spiritual perfection is the way to regain the angelic nature and post of Allah true vicegerent (Surah Al-Insan 76:3) with which individual man was created.

Prophet Muhammad(SAW) said “Allah says my servant continues to draw near to Me by voluntary service so that I love him and when I love him,I (Alla) become his hearing whereby he hears,and his sight whereby he sees and his hands wherewith he seizes and his feet wherewith he walks and if he asks of Me, I give him”.


This sublime,honoured and respected state is what you stand to acquire if you can vie and sacrifice for it.
“And of men there is he who would sell himself to seek the pleasure of Allah and Allah is compassionate to His servants” Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 207

To these people Allah would say “O soul in rest and satisfaction return to thy Lord well pleased with Him and He (Allah) well pleased with thee, so enter among My honoured servants and enter My paradise” Surah Al-Fajr 89: 27-30.

جزاك الله خيرا
I am finding this article highly useful.
Indeed, Nairaland is a platform to choose what to read. And I'm definitely enlightened after reading this.

@ empiree have u read this post

emekaRaj:
@ empir.ee have u read this post

Yes, i read and I "shared" it back then. Lanrexlan probably forgot this thread. He's currently yearning for spiritual growth

Empiree:
Yes, i read and I "shared" it back then. Lanrexlan probably forgot this thread. He's currently yearning for spiritual growth

LOL.... I was surprised wen I saw it

Empiree:
Yes, i read and I "shared" it back then. Lanrexlan probably forgot this thread. He's currently yearning for spiritual growth

Bump I just remembered I created a thread like this back then.

Thanks for bringing this back to life Emekaraj