Pleasure without Purpose

Once a person wrote the following to Hazrat Thanwi (RA), “I really enjoy reading your books, and I go through them day and night.”  Hazrat Thanwi (RA) replied in the following, “The quantity of your actions (‘amal) should be more than the quantity of your reading my works.  The reason for your fondness of reading is the pleasure you derive from the topics discussed and not the love of remembrance (hubb-e-zikr).

Taken from Tarbiyat-us-Saalik pg. 476

Subhaanallah, what foresight Hazrat Thanwi (RA) was blessed with!  Even in studying his works, he was able to ascertain the treachery of the nafs.  The nafs wants pleasure that’s it.  It will do all it can to derail us from reaching our goal and purpose which is the remembrance of Allah.

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