Spirituality And Islamic Understanding Of Intrinsic (Hidden / Concealed) Knowledge

Islam's setup / order of spiritual system and moral ethics system is called as 'Tazkiya' in Quranic terminology. Tazkiya means purification. The words from Quran such as     are the witness of this fact. Because of the need of this, 'Tazkiya' (purification), there has always been an existence of a group of mystic (spiritual) and righteous people among muslim world in each era.

Tazkiya means purification of human 'hearts' (Qalb) and 'Nafs' (one's inner self) from bad habits and ethics (customs), and equipped or decorate them with superior (most dignified) ethics, manners, conduct and characters. Through this process of purification, the individuals are helped to reach and achieve the superior stage in their religious faith/ belief, ethics, kindness and loyalty.

Study of the Islamic divine law (Shariyat) and observation of 'routines and affairs' of Prophet (PBUH) indicates that Islamic conducts affairs are of two types:
 

The first type of conduct and affairs are related with daily visible (observable) routines such as, the rites of Salat (Qayam, Ruku, Sajood, etc.).

The second type of conduct and affairs are related with the one's innermost (hidden / concealed) schedule.

The first group of conduct and affairs compilation and narration was done by Muslim Jurist and scholars of tradition (one who are well versed in the Holy Prophet's (PBUH) tradition) and they called it as the 'visible knowledge'.

The narration and service of the second group of Islamic conduct and affairs was done by 'Awlyia' (Holy men), saints and 'Muqarabin' (people who are nearest to Allah (SWT)). This second group of conduct is called as 'spirituality' or 'intrinsic understanding', and in the mystic world, it is called as 'Sufism' (mysticism).

Consistent with this promise of protecting the 'Islamic faith'/ 'Deen', Allah (SWT) kept sending in each era and in all countries 'special people' to protect both 'Visible understanding' as well as 'Intrinsic understanding'. These 'special people' keep generating renewed spirit and faith in the Islamic world through their superior virtues and characters (conduct) and effect of their spirituality. These people helped muslim peoples in various ways such as helping in serving and perpetuating as the true slaves of Allah (SWT)  in order to achieve closeness to Him, helping the society with the wealth of most dignified ethics, helping the worshippers (devotees) and ascetic (mystic) people with the wealth of Ikhlas (ethics ). They also freed the people from the worship of Nafs and wealth, and created such an enormous Strength of faith and truth and nothing except truth of  to worship Allah (SWT) that they were not afraid of saying the 'Kaleema' of Allah (SWT).