Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi (rahimahullah) once mentioned the following:
Hazrat Moulana Siddeeq Ahmad Saheb Ambhetwi (rahimahullah) (the khaleefah of Hazrat Moulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi [rahimahullah]) in relation to the terminology of the Sufis, “Wusool ilal Allah” (acquiring the close proximity of Allah Ta‘ala) mentioned that:
The system of Allah Ta‘ala is that when sulook is found from the side of the servant i.e. a servant, to the best of his ability, strives for Deen and fulfils the commands of sharee‘ah, then Allah Ta‘ala grants him jazb (i.e. a special attraction and motivation from the side of Allah Ta‘ala which enables him to do good deeds and helps him refrain from sins).
It is through this jazb (special attraction and motivation) that one is able to arrive at his destination in acquiring the love of Allah Ta‘ala and His close proximity. Without Allah Ta‘ala blessing a person with this jazb (this special attraction and motivation), a person’s personal effort and striving alone will be insufficient in causing him to reach his destination.
In previous times, people were required to carry out great acts of mujaahadah (disciplining the nafs) after which they would be blessed with this jazb (special attraction and motivation).
However, in this day and age, since there is a decrease in people’s physical strength and spiritual potential, even without engaging in strenuous mujaahadah, people receive the jazb from the side of Allah Ta‘ala. Nevertheless, the condition for acquiring this jazb is for one to ensure that he follows the mubaarak sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in all departments of his life.
The reason is that receiving jazb (special attraction and motivation) is a sign of one becoming beloved to Allah Ta‘ala, and Allah Ta‘ala mentions in the Quraan Majeed,
قُلۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تُحِبُّوۡنَ اللّٰه فَاتَّبِعُوۡنِیۡ یُحۡبِبۡکُمُ اللّٰه
Say (to the Ummah, O Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam]), “If you love Allah, then follow me, (the result of following the sunnah is that) Allah will love you…” (Surah Aal Imraan v31)
In this verse, Allah Ta‘ala commands Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to inform his Ummah that through emulating the beloved of Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), they will become beloved to Allah Ta‘ala.
(Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 24/134)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za