The Difference Between the Means (Wasilah) and the Path (Dhari'ah)

Question : What is the difference between the path (dhari'ah) and the means (wasilah)?

Answer : The means (wasilah) is that which leads to the goal, either with certainty or with probability. The path (dhari'ah) is that which may lead to the goal, but it is neither certain nor probable. So, reaching the goals by means (wasail) is closer than reaching the goals by what? By paths (dhara'i). It is closer because the means (wasilah), by its name, is a connector. The letters sin and sad always alternate. It is said, "Guide us to the straight path," right? And the straight path is a means (wasilah), a wasilah, a wasilah. So, the means (wasilah) leads to the goal.
Either with certainty or with a probable probability. But a path (dhari'ah) may lead to it, and that is why we call it a path (dhari'ah), because a person uses it as a pretext, as if he extends his arm to this thing to reach it. So, the path (dhari'ah) is not a connector by certainty or probability, but it may be a path. Well, companionship, companionship. A man of evil. Right? And not a means? Right? No, it is a path. But I mean, his friendship and affection, apparently, is a means (wasilah), because love always makes a person imitate whom? His beloved. Even Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned this when he spoke about the annihilation (fana') of the Sufis, and that they annihilate themselves in the love of Allah until they are absent from the world, and he prays without knowing that he is praying, right? And he remembers Allah without knowing that he is remembering, he is absent from his love because of his beloved, from his remembrance because of the one he remembers, and from his worship because of the one he worships. He said that one person loved another person with intense love. And this person threw himself into the sea, the beloved. The beloved threw himself into the sea, so the lover who loved him threw himself in. And he said, "Why did you throw yourself?" He said, "By Allah, I was so absent that I thought you were me, that I was you, that I was you. I was absent, I did not know I fell, and I did not know, and I was intending, as the common people say. So, the important thing is to say that sitting with a man of evil is a path (dhari'ah) to corruption, but if the companionship and affection become strong, it becomes a means (wasilah). Why? Because love necessitates that a person be affected by the morals of whom? His beloved. And Allah knows best.