Practice Of The Heart

He said, "That is not what the shaykh says, and it is not a correct transmission."

The obedience and practice of the Messenger was immersion in self. For practice is practice of the heart, service is service of the heart, and servanthood is servanthood of the heart. It is immersion in the Object of one's own worship.

Nonethless, since  he knew that not everyone had a way to that true practice, and that few people would be given that immersion he gave them the commandments that are the five prayers, the thirty days of fasting, and the rituals of the hajj, so that they would not be deprived and so that they would be distinguished from others and be delivered. And perhaps they might even catch a scent of that immersion. Otherwise, what dows hunger have to do with being a servant of God? What do these outward prescriptions of the Law have to do with worship?

"Me & Rumi" William C. Chittick - Following Muhammad - 70