Matters of the Heart

By Janan Badier (Guest)

Bismillah 

Today’s society is a myriad of trials and temptations and as Muslims, it is imperative to avoid these obstacles which block our path to Paradise and eternal happiness. We must remain steadfast in worshipping our Lord and fulfilling our purpose in this life. Thus, adherence to the decrees of Islam and the preservation of our faith requires determination and persistence. Such dedication to please Allah is found in our hearts and may be strengthened through augmenting our eeman.

As narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim, our Prophet sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam conveyed: “Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be whole, all the body is whole and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart.” 

Clearly, our hearts determine our actions, and thus affect our destiny in the Hereafter. Purification of the heart requires sincerity and devotion, as well as utmost love and trust in God. Purging any evil from within our hearts will strengthen our desire to emulate the footsteps of the Prophet sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam and will also shield us from the widespread corruption around us. Armed with a heart full of faith, a Muslim may abstain from all prohibited deeds, follow the teachings of Islam, and with the Mercy and Will of Allah, may also secure a place in Jannah. Through Allah’s guidance and benevolence, Muslims will portray Islam in its true light and will positively influence others.

However, in our quest to attain higher eeman, we must not succumb to the plethora of traps around us, all of which lead to immorality and sin. 

As stated by the Prophet Mohammed sala Allahy alayhi wa sallam: 
“That which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which not many people know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful…” 

As conveyed, association with anything not clearly lawful in Islam must be stringently avoided. The temptations of this world are great and as a result, we must strive to fully protect ourselves from prohibited acts as well as anything dubious which could lead to the degradation of our hearts and faith. Engagement in any deed that has not been made plain to us will only lead to fulfillment of the haram and all that is dear to Iblees, the devil. The straight path, which is often invoked during supplication to God, may be achieved only through protection against evil and anything alluding to sin. As human beings, we are imperfect and are always prone to commit mistakes. By delving into doubtful matters, we doom ourselves to fall into deeds clearly prescribed as haram. Avoiding dubious matters will protect us from transgressing the boundaries of Islam and will maintain our spiritual health. 

A Muslim who adheres to the hadith of the Prophet sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam is much less likely to sin as he or she would avoid falling into doubtful matters before actual haram. Such dubious matters act as a buffer between pure, halal practices and acts which are hated by Allah. On the other hand, a Muslim who regularly engages in doubtful matters would be guaranteed to sin once he or she experiences a decrease in faith. By following the teachings of the Prophet sala Allahu alayhi wa sallam, the heart of a Muslim will remain healthy and it will drive him or her to please Allah.

As Muslims, we should collectively rise against any negativity around us and purify our hearts to serve our Creator. It is crucial to protect our hearts in the face of peer pressure as well as any negativity or opposition. While striving to attain Jannah, we must constantly avoid anything connected to prohibited actions.


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Posted in: Guest,Heart,Janan Badier,Paradise,purify the heart,Society