What is Suluk?

Suluk means to constantly keep the body and the heart occupied in the obedience of Allah. This should be done in accordance with the Shariah and the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, to such a degree that it becomes second nature.

Suluk is to follow the Sunnah in actions and in habits, as the external and the internal of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ were most perfect. The effect is such that one starts to despise the blameworthy traits and the praiseworthy traits are attained. For the believer, following the Shariah becomes second nature, the heart finds peace in the obedience of Allah, and the acts of worship become easy to perform.

Hafiz Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah said, "The Most High revealed to these respected individuals the way of the pure Sunnah. One of the blessings of the noble Sunnah is that Satan has very little opportunity to interfere with the seeker's path. It is clear that if a person was to diligently perform those actions that the Prophet ﷺ did, such as offering Salah with congregation etc., and if a person was to stringently offer the fard, wajib and the al-sunnah al-mu'akkadah (emphasized sunnah) prayers then he would not experience devilish insinuations. The person would not consider himself as a wali and others will also not consider him as the perfect pious."

The benefit of taking the path of Suluk is that it removes indolence and makes it easy to follow the Shariah.