The Essence of Sulook

Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:

The essence and foundation of the entire process of sulook (self-reformation and acquiring a special relationship with Allah Ta‘ala) is to follow the Mubaarak Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). In other words, every department of one’s life should conform to the blessed sunnah, whether it is the department of ibaadaat (acts of worship), aadaat (habits and ways of carrying out mundane affairs) or akhlaaq (character and conduct).

(Qutbul Aqtaab Hazrat Sheikhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 495)