The defects of the ego and ways to cure them

1. The ego thinks it has achieved salvation

Defect:

One of the weaknesses of the soul is that it thinks that it has been saved, that is, that it is a paradise. The servant knocks on the door of salvation with various dhikrs and prayers. These doors may even be opened for him. However, the servant thinks that he has already achieved the result, and is indifferent to the obligations and rewards of Allah, and then he goes astray again. May Allah protect him!

Let us listen to the following story that Husayn ibn Yahya heard from Masruq through Ja'far ibn Muhammad:

"One day, Rabi'a al-Adawiyah went to the meeting of Salih al-Murri. At that time, Salih al-Murri

“Whoever keeps knocking (on the door of salvation), God willing, the doors will be opened for him,” they used to say. Hearing this, Rabi’ah al-Adawiyah said:

"Indeed, the doors are open. But you are avoiding (entering it). If you take the wrong first step, how will you achieve your (original) goal?!" they replied.

So, how can a person who is a prisoner of his desires and ambitions be free from the shortcomings of his soul? How can a person who does not stop disobeying (the commands and prohibitions of Allah the Almighty) be free from being subject to his desires?

The wise men said:

"Do not expect to be cured (from spiritual diseases) while you have faults and defects (of the soul)... And do not expect to be saved while you continue to sin."

Treatment:

The way to get rid of this disease is as Sirri Sakati says:

"(It is) to follow the path of guidance, to earn lawful sustenance, and to be among the righteous."

From the book "The Defects of the Soul and Its Remedies" by Abu Abdurrahman as-Sullami