There are many entry points, there is no one way to begin the process of purification of the heart. One person may begin with love for Allah, other with fear for Allah. According to Imam Mawlud, a medieval Muslim scholar, the highest and noblest of beginnings is to have adab with Allah swt. To be courteous with Allah swt, the high and the majestic.
What does adab with Allah swt mean?
By practising modesty (haya) and humility (ijz). One aspect of haya is that you will not do something that is vulgar in front of a person you respect. For example, someone won't smoke cigarettes in front of their father.
Humility: to realise that Allah is the Malik and we are the abd. I am aajiz: I will do with my day what you want me to do. O Allah I want to do that, but it is my ijz that I will hold myself back.
Our desires and wishes become tempered (iffat: ability of self control) by haya and ijz.
(Mufti Kamaluddin Ahmed)
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