Purity of the heart
Purity of the heart is one of the best deeds and tasks because the center of our deeds, rewards, punishment, acceptance and rejection – among other deeds - is the heart. Almighty Allah says what can be translated as: “The Day when wealth or children will not benefit anyone. Only those who will come to Allah with a sound (and clear) heart (Will be saved).” (Ash-Shura’a – consultation: 26: 88 – 89)
Prophet Ibrahim (Peace Be Upon Him) was a man with a pure and clean heart. Almighty Allah says what can be translated as: “Moreover, among his (Prophet Noah’s) confirmed loyal supporters and adherents, was most surely, Abraham, when he came to his Lord with a pure heart (full of faith).” (As-Saffat – Devotional Ranks 37: 83 - 84)
In the above-quoted verses, we understand that Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham AS) turned to his Lord sincerely and exclusively; “with a sound heart;” a heart that was free from all kinds of moral evils and weaknesses of faith, from every crookedness, confusion and complexity, and free from every evil inclination and desire. His was a heart that neither cherished any malice or jealousy or ill-will against anyone, nor had any evil intentions.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said what can be translated as: “Do not envy one another; do not hate one another; do not inflate prices by overbidding against one another; do not harbor malice against one another, and do not enter into commercial transactions when others have already entered into them, but rather be, you, O servants of Allah, as brothers...”(Saheeh Muslim)
It is essential for Muslims to heed this call and strive to purify their hearts of negative qualities such as sin, malice, envy, greed, and arrogance. A very important characteristic of believers is sensitivity of the heart that enables them to derive pleasure from worshipping Almighty Allah alone, and abiding by the values and morality stipulated in the Noble Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
About the purity of the heart, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said what can be translated as: “Verily, Allah neither looks at your faces nor your wealth, but (rather) He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” (Saheeh Muslim). We understand from the above hadith (prophetic narration) that the reward for deeds depends on the sincerity and good intention determined within the heart. Thus, caring about reforming the heart and its attributes, should take precedence over actions of the body; for it is the action of the heart that makes deeds valid.
In another hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said what can be translated as: “Beware, there is a piece of flesh in the body; if it is healthy, the whole body is healthy, and if it is corrupt, then the whole body gets spoilt; and that is the heart.” (Al-Bukhari)
The heart is the place of belief and piety, or alternatively, of disbelief, hypocrisy and polytheism – among others. It should be well understood that purity of the heart is not attained with water and clean clothes like the purity of the body, but rather by eliminating reprehensible characteristics and adopting good character; and this includes getting rid of polytheism and its encumbrances. All the deeds of a pure heart are performed for the sole purpose of seeking Almighty Allah’s Pleasure. The person with a pure and clean heart doesn’t ask for praise, appreciation, or reverence from anyone.
A sincere Muslim purifies his heart towards his Muslim brothers (and sisters). He doesn’t envy them for the blessings that the All-Merciful Allah has bestowed on them, but rather he rejoices because he knows that wishing goodness for a Muslim is what the Majestic Allah has enjoined upon him, and that if he violates that, he violates one of the obligatory tenets of faith. This is in accordance to what Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, translated as: “None of you is a (true) believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself.” (Al- Bukhari and Muslim)
Sins have an effect on your heart; they can cause your heart to be sealed to the extent that the light of knowledge doesn’t reach it anymore. Good character confers a high degree on a true Muslim. Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) said what can be translated as: “By (virtue of) his good character, a believer will attain the degree of one who fasts during the day, and prays during the night.” (Sunan Abi Dawud)
A person of good heart should always hasten to reconcile with those who hurt or annoy him. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) related that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The gates of Paradise are opened on Monday and Thursday, and every Muslim servant (of Allah) who does not associate any partners with Allah is Forgiven, except for the man between whom and his brother is enmity. It is said (three times) about them (to the angels): ‘Leave these two until they reconcile (with each other).’ (It was reported by Imam Muslim, Malik and Abu Dawud)
Finally, we should keep it in mind that the only heart worthy of being called a pure heart is the one adorned with the love of Almighty Allah. So, let every believer pay attention to the heart and carefully watch its movements. Let every one of us concentrate on the proper education and purification of his/her heart. — Courtesy of Kuwaiti Society for Cultural Dialogue