Tazkiyah

only way to self-development consists in removing ungodly persons from positions of power and authority and in devoting one’s total energy and resources to upholding and enforcing Sharī‘ah in the land,

a pious person refuses power and authority, he cannot perform most of his obligations towards Allah. For, if rebels against Allah assume power and have control over culture, politics and economy, it might result in the suspension of Sharī‘ah commands.

The Islamic concept of virtue loses all its meaning if an individual severs his ties with collective, social life. If the individual takes up fewer responsibilities, he hardly undergoes any test and fails to develop his character.

Self-development is attainable only by taking control of one’s life and by personal initiative. It cannot be gained simply by studying books, listening to lectures and sermons, attending training courses and programmes and keeping the company of elders and righteous people. For it is a law of nature that none can do for you what you are obliged to do. Of course self-development is not possible without the ability and guidance provided by Allah. However, even this can be earned by one’s own efforts.

-development as understood by mystics and Sufis signifies self-purification from all bad traits and habits and devotion to the worship of God, cutting oneself off from worldly affairs and leading a pious life in order to achieve gnosis of some other kind or degree of union with God.
However, orthodox Islamic teaching about self-development is quite different from the above two concepts. According to the Qur’ān and the Sunnah piety is not running away from the problems of life, nor is it attainment of union with God.