Once, a person wrote a letter to Hazrat Shaikhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) mentioning that despite him being punctual upon his ma’moolaat (devotional practices prescribed by the Shaikh e.g. zikr, tilaawah, etc.) he still did not perceive any change and improvement in his spiritual condition.
In reply, Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) wrote the following:
If one is punctual upon his ma’moolaat (and follows the advices of the Shaikh of remaining committed to the sunnah and refraining from sin), his condition will definitely improve. It is not possible for one to engage in zikr and take the most pure name of Allah Ta‘ala and not see any effect in his life.
Nevertheless, at times, the delay in perceiving the effect is due to the heart being filled with impurity. The more the impurity in one’s heart, the longer it will take to perceive the positive effects of the zikr. Making zikr of the most pure name of Allah Ta‘ala is the most effective method of purifying the heart. When the dirt on the clothing is little, then the clothing is cleaned very quickly. However, the dirtier the clothing, the longer it takes for it to become clean.
Visiting the Haramain Shareefain is a means of acquiring abundant blessings and making spiritual progress, and this will also assist one in one’s spiritual progress, hence you should certainly make the intention of visiting the Haramain Shareefain.
However, the extent to which the heart is cleansed and purified through engaging in the zikr of Allah Ta‘ala is such that nothing else can purify the heart to this extent. When one takes the name of Allah Ta‘ala, then even if he takes the name of Allah Ta‘ala in the state of unmindfulness, it will still have an effect.
(Qutbul Aqtaab Hazrat Shaikhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya [rahmatullahi ‘alaih] pg. 501)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za