Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:
When treating spiritual sicknesses and maladies, the way that is most effective is by treating the root cause. The root cause for committing sins is the urge and demand of one’s nafs (carnal desires) to commit sins. Hence, the treatment is for one to refrain from fulfilling those urges and demands by one exercising self-restraint.
If one takes up the courage to oppose his nafs in this manner, then all his spiritual maladies will be treated and rectified. However, if one does not adopt this approach and tries to treat each malady and sickness individually, then this will indeed be an arduous and difficult task.
This approach of opposing the nafs is known as ‘mujaahadah’ (making effort and striving to gain the proximity of Allah Ta‘ala), and engaging in zikr assists one in this mujaahadah. The reason is that through engaging in zikr, one draws closer to Allah Ta‘ala, and this will be the means for one receiving the divine assistance of Allah Ta‘ala through which one’s mujaahadah will become easy.
If one only engages in zikr (without carrying out the mujaahadah of opposing the nafs and leaving sins), then one will not find the desired result.
For this reason, I generally say that two things are important and necessary (in the path of self-reformation); ittibaa and ittilaa.
Note:
Ittibaa is to remain committed to following the guidance and instruction of the Shaikh – spiritual guide.
Ittilaa is to regularly inform the Shaikh of one’s condition, weaknesses, etc. so that one may know how to rectify one’s weaknesses.
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 26/438)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za