1 Inquiry (Beginning of the Search)

This is the first stage of knowledge, where a restlessness arises in the heart of man — an inner call emerges. This is the time when God Himself calls the servant to Himself.
The glitter of the world and its temporary pleasures become small and worthless in the eyes of man.
Now he starts searching for something that ordinary people do not search for.
This search creates a strange fog, a sorrow, a longing in his heart. This longing is actually the first sign of the journey of knowledge.

2 Study (The Light of Knowledge)

When the desire arises in the heart, the second step is toward knowledge. Allah Almighty grants knowledge to man either through books or through reliable and divine teachers.
To some fortunate ones, He teaches directly on His behalf.
In this stage, the condition of a person is such that if he does not learn something new during the day, he feels regret; and if he gains any knowledge, his heart swells with joy.

3 Commitment (Promise to Himself)

Now, when a person gains knowledge and recognizes the truth, he makes a promise to himself.
He pledges that he will adopt what he has learned in his life and refrain from the sins or mistakes he used to commit before.
This stage is actually the beginning of transformation.

4 Meditation (Keeping an Eye on His Promises)

This is the stage when a person monitors his every action throughout the day.

• Have I kept my promises?
• Have I broken the promise I made to God by following my desires?

This is the phase of constant awareness and self-monitoring, which protects a person from negligence.

5 Accounting (Review of the Day)

And finally, when he goes to bed at night, he reflects on the actions of the day. He thinks:

• Where did I make a mistake today?
• Which promises did I keep?
• Which ones did I neglect?

If there was any shortcoming, he scolds himself, warns himself — so that he does not repeat the same mistake tomorrow.

These five stages actually lead a person on the path of divine knowledge and closeness to Allah.
Whoever steps on this path, it is as if he has recognized his true purpose and place.

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