Am I a salik?

A spiritual aspirant inquired, ‘I question whether am I a traveler (salik) on the path or not?’

Hakim al-Umma Hadhrat Mawlana  Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (may Allah have mercy on him) replied,

” This question is from the sub-sections of arrogance (kibr). It is arrogant to consider one’s self to be outstanding. Similarly, holding an assumption of be being from the outstanding is also arrogance, which is the basis of asking this question. You should repent and continue with your work. (Leave it for Allah’s decision) to make you a traveler on the path or keep you a non-salik.”

Tarbiyet us Salik, volume 1, page 360