The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 107
3. EFFORT AND NATURAL APTITUDE. There are some people who attain exalted spiritual station without effort and striving on their part. Their very nature is such that without any effort or striving, they love God and come to have such spiritual relationship with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as can never be surpassed. As time passes, their inner fire of love for God continues to grow stronger and with it grows the fire of love for the Holy. Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. ) In all these matters God becomes their Guardian and Provident. When that fire reaches its climax, they fervently desire that the glory of God be manifested upon the earth, and this becomes their greatest delight and their ultimate purpose. Thereupon God's signs appear for them on the earth. God Almighty does not manifest His grand signs, nor does He convey information of great future events to anyone except those who are wholly lost in His love, and are as desirous of the manifestation of His Unity and. Glory as He Himself is. They are unique because special. Divine mysteries are revealed to them and the unseen is disclosed to them with the utmost clarity. No one else is honoured in this unique way. [Haqiqat-ul-Waḥi, Rūḥānī Khazā'in, vol. 22, p. 68]. The Sufis have mentioned two ways of spiritual progress effort and natural aptitude. Effort is to embark upon the way of Allah and His Messenger out of a wise choice. As God says: