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Question:
I have been working for sixteen years, and my performance has not only been
satisfactory but is often praised by my superiors in the office. Despite this,
after all these years, I have yet to be granted permanent status or any
promotion. I cannot comprehend why, as I perform my five daily prayers and have
never missed a fast since it was made obligatory upon me. Yet, I continue to
face failures in this regard.
Answer:
If your adherence to the practices of prayer and fasting is driven by the
belief that such acts will directly lead to worldly outcomes aligned with your
desires, then this approach is flawed. Prayer and fasting are obligatory acts
commanded by Allah, and these practices, while essential for spiritual growth,
should not be seen merely as means to an end for resolving worldly issues. Just
as eating and drinking are necessary for the sustenance of the body, prayer and
fasting nurture the soul. Through the performance of these acts, the soul
receives strength, and our connection with the Divine is deepened. However, to
approach prayer and fasting with the mindset that they are tools solely for
overcoming personal struggles or achieving material gains is an incomplete
understanding of their purpose. Allah, in the Quran, has warned against such an
attitude, stating that for those who perform their prayers without
understanding or true devotion, their prayers can lead to their own ruin. Your
query suggests that your focus on prayer and fasting has shifted from being a
means of spiritual connection to a tool for alleviating worldly concerns. When
this mindset infiltrates the heart, it leads to spiritual stagnation,
diminishing the true essence of these practices. This stagnation unsettles the
human consciousness, leading to restlessness and a feeling of helplessness. It
is this restlessness that has rendered you frustrated in your career and
personal endeavors. Reflect on your intentions. Perform your prayers for the sake
of Allah, not as a mechanism for worldly resolution. Establish this connection
with sincerity, and, Inshallah, a shift in your mindset will naturally bring
clarity and resolution to your challenges. Your issues, including the lack of
career advancement, will align in accordance with a deeper, more meaningful
spiritual practice.
Khwaja Shamsuddin Azeemi
Nearly three decades ago, the esteemed spiritual scholar and blessed guide, Khwaja Shamsuddin Azeemi (R.A), inaugurated a mission of public service with the objective of liberating humanity from afflictions, psychological distress, and physical ailments. For ten years, he remained in contemplative retreat, silently advancing this sacred commitment to the service of creation (khidmat-e-khalq). As the hearts of the people began turning toward him, he employed the medium of mass communication. In 1969, this initiative was formally introduced to the public through newspapers and spiritual journals. According to conservative estimates, through written correspondence and face-to-face interaction—particularly via national publications and the Roohani Digest—Hazrat Azeemi has extended spiritual guidance and healing to over 1.4 million men and women, addressing intricate personal crises and intractable medical conditions. Today, it is not uncommon that wherever a few individuals gather, and a seemingly insoluble dilemma or incurable illness is mentioned, someone inevitably suggests: “Establish contact with Azeemi Sahib—the matter will be resolved.”
Through the grace of Allah the Almighty, the spiritual affinity with the Prophet (P.B.U.H), and the continued beneficence of the blessed guide, four volumes of Roohani Daak (Spiritual Correspondence) have now been compiled. The first volume is hereby presented to you for contemplation and benefit.
