Righteousness and Piety (Birr & Taqwa)
Heart purification is an essential concept in Islam, highlighting the importance of cleansing one's inner self to achieve spiritual growth and connection with Allah.
The Quran and Hadith emphasize the significance of purifying the heart and soul through self-reflection, repentance, and critical self-analysis of one's thoughts & actions, this leads to a deeper understanding of oneself and a stronger relationship with Allah.
To begin with, the Quran and Hadith stress the significance of purifying the heart in order to achieve true spiritual growth.
Rasoolullah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said;
"أَلَا وَإِنَّ فِي الْجَسَدِ مُضْغَةً إِذَا صَلَحَتْ صَلَحَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ وَإِذَا فَسَدَتْ فَسَدَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ أَلَا وَهِيَ الْقَلْبُ"
"Indeed, there is a piece of flesh in the body, which, if it is pure, the whole body is pure; and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt, that piece of flesh is indeed the heart" (Sahih al-Bukhari).
The Hadith Shareef highlights the importance of a persons heart in determining the state of the individual's spiritual well-being.
A pure heart leads to righteousness and piety (Birr & Taqwa) while a corrupt heart leads to sin and transgression.
Moreover, the Quran repeatedly mentions the importance of purifying the heart and soul. In Surah Ash-Shams, verses 9 & 10, Allah says;
"قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا
وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا"
"Indeed successful is the one who made it pure.
And indeed failed is the one who covered it in sin."
This verse emphasizes that purification of the self is essential for success in this life and the Hereafter. By purifying the heart and soul, one can achieve closeness to Allah, attain inner peace & tranquility & enjoy spiritual gifts which Allah bestows upon the hearts.
This process of heart purification in Islam involves critical self-analysis and reflection on one's actions and intentions. Where students of knowledge are concerned the emphasis here has to be focused on inward actions.
There are many students of knowledge who don't lack outward actions but unknowingly carry hatred, ignorance & even pride in their hearts.
'Critical self analysis' is the basis of Tasawuf, that is 'knowing oneself', it requires individuals to examine their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to identify any negative traits or qualities that need to be rectified.
This self-awareness is absolutely crucial for spiritual growth and development, as it allows individuals to recognize their shortcomings and strive towards improvement & gain a higher level of 'God-consciousness' (Taqwa).
Tawba (repentance) also plays a key role in the process of heart purification. Real repentance is the act of seeking forgiveness from Allah for one's sins and turning back to Him in 'Sincere Repentance', there is also a way of knowing when Allah has forgiven you for what you repented from..
The Quran states;
"وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ"
"O Muslims, all of you turn in repentance together towards Allah, in the hope of attaining success."
Repentance is a means of cleansing the heart from impurities and seeking Allah's forgiveness for one's mistakes, this is also the foundation for implementing Tasawuf.
Moreover, the Quran emphasizes the importance of self-restraint and controlling one's desires in order to purify the heart.
Allah says in Surah Al-Qiyama, Verse 20 and 21;
"كَلَّا بَلْ تُحِبُّونَ الْعَاجِلَةَ
وَتَذَرُونَ الْآخِرَةَ"
"No! But you love the present life"
And have forsaken the Hereafter."
"The verses highlight the importance of prioritising the Hereafter over worldly desires and striving towards spiritual growth and purification, we forget were on this Earth being tested..
"..قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ 'أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقًا خَالِصًا وَمَنْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَتْ فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ حَتَّى يَدَعَهَا إِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ وَإِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَإِذَا عَاهَدَ غَدَرَ وَإِذَا خَاصَمَ فَجَرَ'"
"..The Mesenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said;
'There are four signs that make someone a pure hypocrite and whoever has them has a characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it, when he makes a covenant he is treacherous, when he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he argues he is wicked (foul-mouthed).”
May Allah save us from having these signs, Ameen.
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