A Gift Awaits My Fellow Otakus at the End…

It has been a year since I entered the path of the Karkariya, and in this time, every aspect of my life—spiritual, physical, and mental—has undergone profound transformation. With each step, I have come to see the world through new eyes, even in the most unexpected places.

One of those places, for me, is anime.

While it is often dismissed as a distraction, a moment of heedlessness (ghafla), the gaze of a spiritual wayfarer changes everything. By the grace of my Shaykh, Sidi Mohamed Faouzi al-Karkari—may Allah sanctify his secret—even anime has become a means of learning. Among the countless lessons I have encountered, one anime in particular stood out as a mirror to my own spiritual journey: Solo Leveling.

No spoilers ahead, but if you have seen it, you may understand.

When I first watched the anime and read the manga, a realization struck me: this is exactly my spiritual wayfaring!

Like Sung Jin-Woo, I began weak, at what one might call an E-rank in the spiritual world—struggling, striving, feeling small. But with the guidance of my Shaykh and the discipline of the path, I have grown stronger, step by step, by Allah’s grace.

Jin-Woo had his daily missions; so does the disciple. Every day, the wayfarer commits to the wird twice, alongside reading a juz’ of the Qur’an. In Solo Leveling, when Jin-Woo completed his missions, he received rewards from the system. Likewise, when the disciple fulfills their spiritual practices, Allah grants them openings—direct witnessing of the divine light (mushāhada).

And just as Jin-Woo would face punishment if he failed his missions—thrown into perilous challenges that could cost him everything—the disciple too suffers when neglecting their wird. A day without it is a day of spiritual exhaustion, where heedlessness creeps in, and the self (nafs) is left vulnerable to the whisperings of darkness.

But the most striking parallel lies in battle.

Jin-Woo conquered his enemies, turning them into his own soldiers, growing stronger with every soul he subdued. So too does the wayfarer face enemies—not external foes, but the forces of lust, laziness, envy, arrogance, and hypocrisy. These are the shadows we must vanquish. With the support of my Shaykh, I engage in this struggle daily, striving to subdue these forces within, until, one day, I might stand as the master of my own body and mind.

My Shaykh—may Allah sanctify his secret—once explained the verse:

“And enjoin prayer upon your family, and be steadfast in it. We do not ask you for provision; We provide for you. And the outcome is for the people of taqwa.”  (20: 132)

He said: Your family here is not your spouse or children, but your very own body—your hands, feet, eyes, and senses. This is your true family, the one you must guide and be patient with. For only when you master yourself do you become the true monarch of your own empire—the empire of body and mind.

And as Allah reassures: Do not worry about sustenance. We provide it for you.

So leave your anxieties behind. Engage in abundant remembrance of the Lord (dhikr), strive to subdue your lower self, and liberate yourself from the chains of desire. That is true victory. That is real power.

This is how Solo Leveling transformed before my eyes. What once seemed like a mere story of strength and conquest became a reflection of the inner struggle—the journey toward self-mastery. By the blessings of my Shaykh, my way of seeing the world has changed, and with it, my very being.

A Gift for My Fellow Otakus

As a former otaku, I salute you. And here is my gift:

I am free.

Yes, truly free. Free from the addiction that once consumed me.

Anime was not just a hobby; it had taken over my life. I loved it, but my love became enslavement. My screen time reached sixteen hours a day—twelve if I exercised some restraint. I charged my phone three times daily just to keep watching. I wasn’t merely an anime fan; I was trapped in an endless loop of watching, discussing, theorizing—first in Arabic, then in English, only to start again. Life was passing me by, and I was lost in the cycle.

But alhamdulillah, by the grace of my Shaykh, his teachings, and my daily wird, the addiction disappeared—effortlessly. I did not struggle against it, nor did I force myself to quit. It simply faded, as if a heavy chain had been unlocked. Now, I can watch an episode if I choose, but it no longer controls me. I enjoy it, and then I move on.

Our shaykh teaches us, indeed, that true freedom is not found in escaping reality, but in confronting it with clarity and purpose. It is the strength to break free from what binds us, to rise above the illusions that once held power over us, and to reclaim mastery over our own hearts and minds. We learn in the Karkari path through active wayfaring that every soul is engaged in a battle—some against the illusions of the external forces, others against the real hidden struggles within. But true victory does not come through force; it comes through light—through the remembrance of Allah, through the guidance of those who have walked this path before us, and through the unwavering resolve to seek truth over comfort, discipline over heedlessness, and meaning over distraction.

This journey is not about abandoning the world, but about seeing it through a new lens—one that transforms even the mundane into a sign of the Divine, even entertainment into a source of wisdom, and even personal struggle into an opportunity for spiritual ascension. What begins as a quest for self-improvement becomes a path to something greater: true nearness to the One who created us.

If you are struggling with any addiction or harmful habit, know that there is a way out. Perform the Karkariya wird with a sincere intention to break free, and you will be amazed by the results. This is not just my personal experience—it is the testimony of thousands from diverse backgrounds, across different cultures, faiths, and walks of life, each overcoming their own struggles through the transformative power of Karakri dhikr.

And remember, you do not need to be a disciple to recite the wird. Anyone can do it—whether seeking barakah in work, marriage, health, or wealth, or striving to overcome obstacles such as smoking, pornography, or any other burden that weighs on the soul.

If you wish to hear my full story of overcoming addiction, you can find it on the Tariqa Karkariya - English YouTube channel, titled: “I Cured My Addiction Thanks to the Wird & the Vision of the Divine Light.”

This is my gift to you.

In the end, I love you all and sincerely wish you to achieve true happiness—may you find success in every aspect of your life, God willing. If you find benefit in these words, know that it is a blessing from Allah and His wali. And if you do not, then the fault is mine alone.

May our paths cross in the realm of true happiness!