(Maqam). A spiritual station is acquired and earned through the effort and sincerity of the traveller, but such an acquisition is ultimately through the Grace of Allah. A station is a 'fixed' quality of the self, in contrast to the fleeting nature of a spiritual state (hal). When the traveller ascends to a higher maqam he does not 'leave' the lower one but rather he travels with it. Once the noble qualities pertaining to a specific station are acquired they become firmly fixed and remain with him in his endless ascent.