The Best of Spiritual Actions – Imam Shadhili relates from his teacher, Ibn Mashish

Abu’l Hasan al-Shadhili relates from his spiritual guide, Ibn Mashish:

The best of spiritual actions are four after four.

[The four actions are:]

(1) loving Allah;

(2) contentment with Allah’s destiny;

(3) non-attachment to worldly matters; and

(4) relying upon Allah.

[These come after four:]

(1) fulfilling Allah’s commands;

(2) leaving Allah’s prohibitions;

(3) steadfastly leaving all that doesn’t concern one; and

(4) scrupulousness in leaving useless amusement. [Durrat al-Asrar]

And Allah alone gives success.