How Do I Deal With a “High Standard” Feeling Issue Affecting Me Spiritually?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
How can I deal with this high-standard-feeling issue? Because of this, my spiritual growth feels unstable, rushed, and hard.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I hope you’re doing well, in sha’ Allah.
Spiritual growth is meant to be steady, not rushed. The feeling that your standards are impossibly high is itself a sign that your approach needs gentleness, not more effort. That is the merciful “high-standard” of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his folk).
The Problem with Unrealistic Standards
Imam Ghazali (Allah have mercy on him) warns against setting spiritual goals beyond one’s current capacity.
He explained, based on Prophetic teachings, that the path to Allah is walked step by step. When someone tries to leap ahead, they exhaust themselves and may abandon the journey entirely. The cure is to set small, consistent goals and build from there. [Ghazali, Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din, Book of Patience and Gratitude]
Consistency Over Intensity
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if small.” [Bukhari; Muslim]
This hadith is the governing principle for your situation.
Allah does not ask you to be perfect. He asks you to be sincere and consistent. A small act of worship done regularly, even two cycles of prayer (raka‘at) at night, or a few minutes of remembrance (dhikr) each morning, is more beloved to Allah than an intense burst of worship followed by burnout.
Practical Steps
Beyond the five daily prayers, which Allah has made obligatory expressions of gratitude:
Choose one act of worship you can sustain daily without strain. Do it for thirty days before adding anything else. If you miss a day, simply resume — do not make up for it by doubling your effort.
Speak to a reliable teacher who can guide your spiritual development in a way that fits your capacity.
Sidi Ahmad Zarruq (Allah have mercy on him) wrote that the foundation of turning to Allah is sound knowledge, and the key to it is taking things step by step. [Zarruq, Qawa’id al-Tasawwuf]
The governing principle is that the spiritual path to Allah Most High is built on gentleness and consistency. It doesn’t need unrealistic intensity and perfectionism. We worship the Most Merciful. Never forget that.
And beware of despair. Allah Most High says,
“Say, ‘O My servants who have committed excesses against their very selves, despair not of the mercy of Allah: Verily Allah forgives all sins soever: Truly He is the All-forgiving, the All-compassionate.” [Quran, 39:53]
Your next step: choose one small, sustainable practice and commit to it.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Related
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
