The Journey of Faith
From Self to Service
A transformative guide to spiritual growth and personal development through the lens of Islamic wisdom.
Join Verita
Welcome to Your Spiritual Journey
This book is dedicated to my mentor, Faiz Hassan Seyal, whose wisdom transformed my life. My first encounter with him was in 2001 at Haier Factory. But the real learning began in 2011 at Verita.
Since then, I've attended countless sessions. Each one brought new insights. I became his regular student. I made him my mentor. The journey changed everything.
This book shares what I learned. It's for everyday readers in Pakistan and beyond. Anyone seeking spiritual guidance will find value here.
Muhammad Humayun

Important Note: I'm not a professional writer. I've written carefully to avoid mistakes. Any errors reflect my limited experience, not the teachings themselves.
"Our life's reality is what we believe. Our beliefs shape our actions. What we think, we become."
— Faiz Hassan Seyal
The Story Behind This Book
Years ago, I attended a training session at Al-Balagh. Sir Faiz introduced me to the "Faith Cycle." That moment changed my life trajectory completely.
This model wasn't just theory. It offered practical solutions to real problems. Whenever I faced difficulties—personal or professional—I returned to this cycle. It always provided guidance and courage.
01
Discovery
First exposure to the Faith Cycle in 2011
02
Application
Testing the model through life's challenges
03
Documentation
Recording insights from various sessions
04
Creation
Developing this guidebook with mentor's encouragement
The Faith Cycle reminded me: inner world and outer world must both improve. When projects failed, self-awareness helped. When personal difficulties mounted, service brought peace.
This isn't a destination. It's a continuous journey. Like daily prayers where we recite Surah Al-Fatiha: "Guide us to the straight path." We constantly need guidance and growth.
Why We Need This Framework
Life is a continuous journey. Sometimes easy, sometimes filled with trials. We face challenges and opportunities. During this, we connect with ourselves, our environment, and our Creator.
The Quran reminds us repeatedly of this reality:
"We have certainly created man into hardship." (Surah Al-Balad, 90:4)
This verse teaches us: difficulties are part of human existence. Accepting this truth makes challenges easier.

Key Insight: "If you understand that life is difficult, then it's not difficult anymore." This mental revolution prepares us for challenges and transforms our thinking.
Faiz Hassan Seyal developed the "Faith Cycle" based on Quranic teachings and practical experience. This comprehensive model divides spiritual and personal growth into stages. Following these stages brings positive life changes and community transformation.
The Six Stages of Faith
The Faith Cycle presents six distinct stages. Each builds on the previous one. Sometimes people move through them in order. Other times, they revisit earlier stages. Both patterns are natural.
1. Self-Awareness
"Whoever knows themselves knows their Lord." Understanding strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and intentions.
2. Discipleship
"Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim." Finding teachers and resources for growth.
3. Service
"The best people benefit others most." Using knowledge and time to help others.
4. Inner Journey
"Actions depend on intentions." Examining heart, thoughts, and motivations for purity.
5. Outer Journey
"Religion is sincere advice." Promoting good and reforming society at all levels.
6. Complete Submission
"Allah is pleased with them and they with Him." Total contentment with Allah's decree.
Stage 1: Self-Awareness
Know Yourself First
The journey begins within. Before changing anything external, we must understand ourselves. This means examining our qualities, flaws, emotions, thoughts, and intentions honestly.
Self-awareness reveals where we are now. What strengths has Allah given us? Where do weaknesses hold us back?
Recognize Your Patterns
Notice recurring behaviors and reactions. Understanding these patterns is the first step toward change.
Identify Your Strengths
What natural abilities do you possess? Gratitude for these gifts opens doors to their proper use.
Acknowledge Weaknesses
Honest assessment of limitations isn't defeat. It's wisdom. Only acknowledged weaknesses can be addressed.
Examine Your Intentions
Why do you do what you do? Pure intentions transform ordinary acts into worship.
"The one who knows themselves, knows their Lord." This profound statement links self-knowledge with divine knowledge. Inner exploration becomes spiritual discovery.
Stage 2: Discipleship & Stage 3: Service
The Path of Learning
After self-awareness comes the hunger for knowledge. We realize how much we need to learn. This stage drives us to seek teachers, mentors, and resources.
Seek Knowledge
Find authentic sources. Learn from qualified teachers. Study with sincerity and dedication.
Find Mentors
Guidance accelerates growth. A mentor sees what you cannot. Their experience illuminates your path.
Apply Wisdom
Knowledge without application remains sterile. True learning transforms behavior and perspective.
The Joy of Service
Learning naturally leads to service. Knowledge creates responsibility. Skills demand application. Time becomes precious when used for others.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best people are those who benefit others most." Service isn't sacrifice—it's fulfillment. Helping others brings spiritual satisfaction nothing else can match.
Service takes many forms: sharing knowledge, offering time, providing resources, lending support. Every act of kindness counts. Every moment spent helping others elevates the soul.
Stage 4: The Inner Journey
Looking Within
While serving others externally, we must also examine our internal landscape. This stage requires deep honesty. We investigate our hearts, thoughts, feelings, and true intentions.
1
Purify Intentions
All actions depend on intentions. Pure motivation transforms simple acts into profound worship. Check your why.
2
Remove Negative Traits
Pride, envy, greed—these inner poisons corrupt everything. Identify them honestly. Work to eliminate them systematically.
3
Cultivate Positive Qualities
Replace negativity with virtue. Develop patience, gratitude, humility, compassion. Let these become your nature.
4
Seek Divine Closeness
The ultimate goal: nearness to Allah. Cleanse the heart for this sacred relationship. Make your inner world worthy.
"Actions are judged by intentions." This hadith reminds us: external deeds matter, but internal purity matters more. The inner journey cleanses the source of all actions.

Reflection Point: The inner journey isn't separate from service. They complement each other. External service without inner purity becomes empty. Inner work without outward application remains incomplete.
Stage 5: The Outer Journey & Stage 6: Complete Submission
Transforming Society
Inner purity creates outer impact. A clean heart yearns to improve the world. This stage moves beyond personal service to societal reform.
We promote goodness everywhere: homes, workplaces, communities. We encourage virtue and discourage vice. We become agents of positive change.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Religion is sincere advice." Caring for others' wellbeing becomes natural. We share truth gently, guide compassionately, and lead by example.
The Ultimate Station
The final stage represents complete peace. The believer accepts Allah's decree wholeheartedly. Every situation, every challenge, every blessing—all received with contentment.
Total Acceptance
Allah's will becomes your will. No resistance, no complaint, no desire for different circumstances.
Inner Peace
Nothing disturbs your tranquility. Loss doesn't shake you. Only distance from Allah concerns you.
Complete Trust
Perfect reliance on Allah. Knowing He arranges everything for your ultimate good.
"Allah is pleased with them and they with Him." (Quran 5:119) This verse describes the highest achievement: mutual pleasure between Creator and creation. The soul rests in divine contentment.
Your Journey Begins Now
The Faith Cycle isn't just theory. It's a practical roadmap for life transformation. Each stage offers specific guidance. Each challenge becomes an opportunity for growth.
6
Stages
Clear steps for spiritual development
∞
Journey
Continuous growth throughout life
1
Goal
Divine pleasure and human service
Key Takeaways
  • Begin with honest self-awareness
  • Seek knowledge continuously
  • Serve others with your abilities
  • Purify your inner world
  • Work for societal improvement
  • Accept Allah's decree completely
This journey requires patience and persistence. You may revisit earlier stages. That's normal and healthy. What matters is continuous movement forward.
"Miracles happen every moment... and faith is the eye that sees them." — Faiz Hassan Seyal
May Allah guide us on this blessed journey. May He illuminate our hearts with faith's light. May we become sources of good for ourselves and others.

Prayer: "O Allah, show us truth as truth and grant us ability to follow it. Show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us ability to avoid it."
Books