In Sufism , a state of mind reached from time to time by mystics during their journey toward God.
The aḥwāl (plural of ḥāl ) are God-given graces that appear when a soul is purified of its attachments to the material world. Unlike maqām s, which are based on merit, aḥwāl cannot be acquired or retained through an individual's own efforts; the Sufi can only wait patiently for their arrival, which fills him with spiritual joy and renews his desire to seek God. The aḥwāl most often referred to are those of watching, nearness, ecstasy, intoxication, sobriety, and intimacy.