If it [Tasawwuf] consisted of practices, it could be acquired by effort (mujahada t), and if it consisted of sciences, it could be gained by instruction (ta'allum

but it is akhlaq and it is not acquired until you demand from yourself the requ irements (hukm) of akhlaq, conform your actions to them, and do justice to them. The distinction between practices (rusum) and akhlaq is this, that practices ar e contrived (bi-takalluf) actions proceeding from particular motives (asbab), su ch that their "outer form" (zahir) is at variance with their "inner truth" (bati n); they are actions devoid of essence (ma'na). Akhlaq, on the other hand, are n on-contrived praiseworthy actions not proceeding from particular motives. Their outer form is in harmony with their inner truth; they are actions devoid of pret ension.

The whole purpose of tazkiyah is to reform ones fitrah (core character). A person may adopt a facade for a certain time, however when he is tested, his true fitr ah emerges. On the path of spiritual purification, a person must strive and work hard in order to eradicate bad character.A spiritual guide can only help and ad vise, however the onus, effort and struggle is upon the individual.