Engaging in Excessive Zikr without Reforming One’s Actions

Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:

Through merely engaging in excessive zikr, one will not succeed in gaining reformation in one’s life. Gaining reformation is dependent on correcting one’s actions and reforming one’s conduct (i.e. correcting one’s relationship with Allah Ta’ala and His servants). The effect caused in one’s heart through A’amaal is only strengthened through the zikr. Zikr only serves as a motivation to assist one towards the path one is treading. However, in today’s times many people who are ignorant of Deen confine their effort upon zikr, and do not pay any attention towards improving and correcting their actions and bringing it in conformity to the mubaarak sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 7/171)