What will save us on the Day of Judgement? Are we favored based on our race or color? No. Then what is it? It is the place in our body which Allaah subhanahu wa ta’alaa made the location of the most valuable possession of a human being: emaan (faith). It is your heart.
What favours you in the sight of Allaah subhanahu wa ta’alaa is the state of your heart. What will save you on the Day of Judgement is qalbun saleem— a sound heart.
Let’s get started and find out about the amazing position of the heart in Islam and learn the secrets of a productive heart.
This is the week’s central ayah: So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts. [Quran, 22: 46]
The Significance of the Heart
In order to start moving in life you first need to have knowledge; with that knowledge you can define if something is important or not. Then it is up to you to make the move. The Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said about your heart: Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be sound, all the body is sound and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart. [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
Allaah ‘azza wajal informed us in the Quran about the “heart” (generally qalb in Arabic). For example, the word naas (people, mankind) is used 241 times, but the word “heart” is used no less than 137 times.
What is the State of Your Heart?
The state of your heart will decide what you do with your knowledge. Will you benefit from it by practicing it or not? For example, if you hear an ayah of the Quran or a hadith, does it make you feel you want to practice it straight away or does it not have much impact on you? Whatever the answer is, it will tell you about the state of your heart.
Sins have an effect on your heart; they can cause your heart to be sealed so that the light of knowledge doesn’t reach it anymore and the ayaat of Allaah don’t affect you anymore. May Allaah ‘azza wajal protect us from this.
There are many diseases we find in our hearts, like jealousy, envy, greed, lust, and showing off. Our aim should be to strive to purify our hearts and turn back to Allaah with a sound heart. Once a wise man made this dua: ‘ O Allah purify my heart from anything but You.’
The Heart and the Mind
When you say the word ‘Think!” most of us point to our heads, right? How many of us point to our hearts when we say “Think?” The Messenger of Allaah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Taqwa is here,” and he pointed to his chest. [Muslim, at-Tirmidhi, Ahmad]
Subhanallah, one of the functions of the heart is ta’aqqul (understanding). Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa gave us a heart to comprehend, to reflect, and to reason. That brings us back to the central ayah: and have hearts by which to reason . . .
Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullaah said that many doctors and philosophers have said that the mind is in the brain, so we think and understand with our brains and not with our hearts. He then said that the centre is actually the heart. Ibn Katheer said: The arrogant philosophers say that the mind is in the brain. [Tafsir ibn Kathir vol 4 p.508]
To believe, to disbelieve, to understand, to comprehend, to have tranquility, to feel confusion, to have tawakkul and to have khushoo’ are all functions of your heart.
Different Names for “Heart” in the Quran
In the Quran, Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa uses different words to describe the heart; qalb, fu’aad and sadr.
Qalb is the general word for heart and the root word means something that turns around, something that changes easily. When Allah (swt) refers to emaan and the diseases of the heart, He uses the word qalb.
Fu’aad comes from a root that means “burning” or a flame and is used when the heart is inflamed with emotion. A beautiful example is when Allah describes the state of the heart of the mother of Musa alayhi salam: But there came to be a void in the heart (fu’aad) of the mother of Musa. [Quran, 28:10] Imagine how her heart was inflamed with emotions while she put her newborn, suckling son in a river!
Sadr means “chest.” When Allaah ‘azza wajal refers to secrets or motives, He uses the word sadr, like in Suratun Naas: The one who whispers in the hearts of Mankind. [Quran, 114: 5]
See how understanding the words of the Quran open a door to a whole new world of meanings for you?
What Do You Do With YOUR Heart?
Now the question is, what is your heart attached to? Is it attached to your house, your money, your favorite tv show, or to those special moments you spend with the Quran and reading about the Prophet?
Allah ‘azza wajal says: . . . when the only one who will be saved is the one who comes before Allah with a heart devoted to Him. [Quran, 26:89]
How can you train your heart to become devoted and sound? I came across this beautiful list of the signs of a devoted and sound heart and I pray you will be as inspired as I was!
But before examining your own heart, take this extremely important step: ask Allaah ‘azza wajal by His beautiful names to purify your heart. He is Al-Wahhaab (The Giver), so ask Him to give you a pure heart. He is Al-Qareeb (The Close One), so ask Him to make your heart close to Him. He is Al-Wadood (The Ever-Loving), so ask Him to fill your heart with love for Him. It’s as simple as that.
Now it’s time to test yourself on the signs of a pure and devoted heart!
- It continues to push its companion until he turns to Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa and repents.
- It doesn’t grow tired of the remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta’alaa or His worship.
- If it misses out on an act of obedience it feels a pain that is more severe than the pain felt when losing money.
- It finds sweetness and delight in worship greater than any delight from food and drink.
- If it enters salah, its worries and troubles from this worldly life leave it.
- It is stingier with its time being wasted than a miser’s stinginess with his money.
- It is more concerned with a good deed being performed correctly and accepted than the actual deed itself.
Homework:
Memorize and use this beautiful Qur’anic dua in your daily life:
Who say, Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower. [Quran, 3:8]
Praying you will benefit,
Khawlah bint Yahya ~ United Kingdom
THE AYAH JOURNAL, Qur’an & Productivity is a global project with the exciting goal to inspire every Muslim worldwide to open the Qur’an every day, pick one ayah, and apply it to your own life by making acting on the ayah your mission for the day. Let’s bring back the message of the Qur’an to our daily life! Check www.ayahjournal.com and follow us on www.facebook.com/ayahjournal for vibrant Qur’an & Productivity tips.
this is so beautiful and soul inspiring, mashallah.
Masha Allah! I absolutely loved reading this article. It is full of gems on how to improve, upgrade and focus our hearts on the worship of Allah SWT. May Allah SWT reward you abundantly for this effort. Shukran JAK!
assalamualaikum. jazakallah for the informative article. the 3 descriptions of the heart were really worth pondering. may Allah accept our efforts and use us to serve His religion.
Ma sha Allah! Loved this! Very informative and powerful. Really leaves a person thinking. Ya Allah make me from the people of jannah in sha Allah!
Question please, can we memorize the ayah in English?? Will it be accepted or in Arabic is better?
Koran was revealed in Arabic so it is better to put koran into heart through the way it was revealed [ in Arabic text]. May Allah guide us and protect us ameen
Jazakillah (swt).
Fu’aad to my understanding is processing and comparing, the given information, for arriving at a decision.
Ma sha Allah, the article was very informative and will be useful in my day to day practice .
jazak Allah khawla bint Yahya.it was such an informative essay,cannt describe you,how I never wanted this to end.i really enjoyed reading this .please special pray for me so that I can truly become his slave.i will keep on striving ,but need a dua from a good person like you…..thanks
Even though I grew up in a Muslim country, our curriculum was based on the western system.
And so we were taught that the heart was nothing but a pump.
It was later after reading various hadeeth that I learnt that the heart was way more than just a pump.
Not that we as muslims need any prood, but current research is showing that the heart actually thinks and communicates with the brain. This was research conducted by the Heart Math Institute
Also….i want you to watch this amazing documentary on the hearts cellular memory
Its fascianting
If it has any unislamic elements then please disregard that
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIDwRnBcrGw&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Jazak Allah Kheir.. very inspiring..
وَإِن يُكَذِّبُوكَ فَقَدۡ ڪَذَّبَتۡ قَبۡلَهُمۡ قَوۡمُ نُوحٍ۬ وَعَادٌ۬ وَثَمُودُ
أَفَلَمۡ يَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمۡ قُلُوبٌ۬ يَعۡقِلُونَ بِہَآ أَوۡ ءَاذَانٌ۬ يَسۡمَعُونَ بِہَاۖ فَإِنَّہَا لَا تَعۡمَى ٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرُ وَلَـٰكِن تَعۡمَى ٱلۡقُلُوبُ ٱلَّتِى فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَبِٱلۡيَوۡمِ ٱلۡأَخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ (٨) يُخَـٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَمَا يَخۡدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمۡ وَمَا يَشۡعُرُونَ
And of mankind are some who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, when they believe not. (8) They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves; but they perceive not.
فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ۬ فَزَادَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ مَرَضً۬اۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمُۢ بِمَا كَانُواْ يَكۡذِبُونَ
In their hearts is a disease, and Allah increaseth their disease. A painful doom is theirs because they lie
I don’t have a pure or sound heart. I am sad all the time and when it comes going to Islamic functions I don’t go. I live in isolation and just feel sad. Ibaadah is very hard for me. Woe.
Salam aliakum.
Dear sister, my duas are with you. It sounds as if you are going through a depression, and many of us know how this feels. Don’t listen to those who tell you that real Muslims don’t get depressed (that’s like saying Muslims don’t get the flu). Listen to Allah (swt) and cry out to him for help all day and night. He is compassionate and merciful and aware of your suffering. There is light at the end of the tunnel— just keep walking.
Khadijah my sister you have to keep going you can do it. Whatever worries or problems you have remember that Allah the almighty will never burden a soul with more than it can bear. So you have the ability. We will all have some good days and so not so good. Make the most of the good and be thankful to Allah and have patience and make istikfar on the ones that are not so good. It’s a constant battle with shaitan don’t let him win. He is our enemy.
Lastly, stay positive when life gives you every reason to be negative.
May Allah (swt) give us all the ability to do good in times of highs and lows. Ameen.
Very beautiful article. May Allah SWT give you the best reward. The article touched, appealed and convinced my heart. Thanks.
May ALLAH grant all those who read this article, to enlighten their hearts to follow the Qur’aan closely and get closer to ALLAH Subhanahoo. Ameen.
May Allah bestow his mercy on Dr. Abdul Karim. and all others. Jazakallah khaira
jazakumallah,out of this world
Thank you so much for this beautiful article. Your articles are always inspiring and eye opening. May Allah bless and reward you sister.
Asalamu Alayaikum, Jazakumallah, Hakika nafaidika sana na makala yenu, InshallAllah, Allah atawalipa kivuli siku ambayo hakuna kivuli(siku ya Kiyama)
Assalam Alaaykum Warahmatulah Wabarakatuh, Hii nakala kwakweli imenirudisha na kunijenga sana Moyo wangu, kwani Maisha yangu yanaelekea njia ya mstari Ulionyooka.
Allah(S.A) awaanyie wepesi kwakila kitu chenu na mzidi kutufundisha na kutukumbusha. AMIN.
Alhamdu lillah, you brought me here. Amazing article. I am currently rethinking about my life. May Allah bless us all with his unending mercy. Aameen.
assalamu alaikum ma sha allah
Alhamdulillah. Allah has guided us to this page. May Allah reward us with Jannah. Ameen
Mashallah so beautiful and inspirational it opened my heart allah bless this website and the Repliers of this website also i believe in all religons i don’t compare people’s specs or their religon or way of thinking but i use my heart also only god can judge us can he knows if we will go to heaven or hell he only knows the future more than us and we think and knowledge and education is a must to know how to use ur life in postive correct and more productive way for guidance just like the manual on any product like car microwave etc and also i’m trying to remember of what i had done in past life and try to correct it i know it hunts me but this time im trying to correct it with my heart then with my head with allah’s comparsion and judgement i’m actually christian and all religons are welcomed to my heart Ameen
I love your article.. MashaAllah so inspiring. Am experiencing the best moments right now cos with Allah’s help am finally learning how to purify my heart and thoughts…
Ma Shaa Allah! In my trainings on communication I introduce ‘Salat’ and ‘Qulb’ and I am so pleased that what I have been talking about is being understood and shared exactly the same way! The glorious Quran is a mystery that science would keep on following and things would get proven till Qayamah!
Prayers.
Hamid
jazakaluhu kheir for inspiring article
help us spread this noble work by sharing in your circles.
Jazakallahukhair..such a beautiful article… Thanks for enlightening us…May Allah give us all Qalbun saleem
JazakAllahu Khair for your feedback, help us spread this noble work by sharing in your circles.
wonderfull
JazakAllahu Khair, help us spread this noble work by sharing in your circles.
A solid and beautiful introduction to tasawwuf (the science of the heart)
JazakAllahu Khair for your feedback, help us spread this noble work by sharing in your circles.
I have a sound heart allahu Akbar
It is a beautifully written article.
For many months I have been thinking about the mention of Qalb, and it derivatives, in the Quran. It is definitely a Point to ponder.
In my very limited knowledge, according to science the Heart is an organ that pumps blood to the body, but the references in the Quran of the Heart are far beyond!
If you allow me, I would like to add to what has been so well written; I believe our soul (our inner self) rests in our hearts.
Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala says in the Quran regarding creation of a human being (Surah Al Hijr Verse 29) Translation: “When I have formed him, and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall down prostrating before him”
In my understanding, it is at this moment that the heart starts pumping blood to the body of the fetus.
While sitting in my office room this morning, just it came to my mind the thought what is a “Pure Heart”. I have read so many ayaats in the Qur’an and authentic hadiths as well about “Qalbun Saleem”. Alhamdulillaah I came across “Why is the heart so Important in Islam”. Going thru with its signs I felt so sad that my heart is so far away but it motivates me to work hard to have a sound heart in shaa ALLAAH. Jazzak Allahu khairan for all the beautiful reminders.
Jazak Allah Khair
Thank you! JZK for your beautiful reflections.