Ans) The seeker should be youthful and courageous. Purification of the self, known as "Tazkiyah-e-Nafs," is necessary. It involves abstaining from vices such as greed, envy, malice, anger, lust, lying, backbiting, and abandoning all forbidden and disliked actions according to religious teachings. The seeker should detach themselves from worldly pleasures, sensory experiences, and material possessions. They should not count their efforts and struggles as accomplishments but rather understand that they have done nothing. It is excellent if they can find seclusion and solitude, especially in a cave if available in the desert.

The seeker should manage their lawful sustenance and take precautions in their work, ensuring they consume enough food to maintain physical well-being. Fasting is highly recommended, and some people consider fasting as a continuous state. They should make efforts to consume minimal water.

The seeker should obediently follow the instructions of their spiritual guide and not pay attention to trivial matters. They should sleep only for a short time and not be negligent during sleep and wakefulness, maintaining a balance.

The seeker should not take pride in their ancestry, lineage, or intellectual abilities. They should consider themselves the worst and most humble among all, as the person who thinks this way becomes closer to God.

They should not unnecessarily worry about the correctness of their ablution and purity to the extent that it causes delay in performing prayers and religious duties. I have repeated this multiple times and will say again that the seeker should pay the most attention to two things: self-purification and complete focus towards God. The Prophets were blessed with these two qualities, and they were taught these qualities.

If, for example, ablution is not possible, it is not a problem. The key is to keep the heart occupied with vigilance and presence. Self-purification means not giving in to worldly desires, while complete focus entails warding off all dangers from the heart. Despite the challenges, the Companions strived hard in supplication, prayer, and exertion due to these two things, and it was through these efforts that their ranks were elevated. It is not necessary for the seeker to pray for the safety of their faith. They should keep their goal in mind and accept whatever happens.