Actions that purify the heart

None is more beneficial than that which is consistent even if it is slight. Take the example of two rusty coins. On one you scrub it vigorously once then put it to the side, on the other you consistently scrub it lightly for a long time. The second one will become brighter and shinier and stay like that with time. The first will eventually rust again.

The proof of this is that the Sahaba were consistent even in the Nafila.

If we use the example of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and the fact that he sometimes fasted, and sometimes didn’t, sometimes woke up at night and sometimes didn’t etc. we have to remember that he (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is a universal Messenger. In him everyone could find an example. He encompasses every good in all believers.

The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) understood that everyone has been given a different opening, for some its waking up at night, for others its reading Quran, for others its fasting, etc. That’s why there are more than one door to Jannah. Abu Bakr (radhiallaahu anhu), asked if anyone would be able to enter all the doors of Jannah, and the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said yes, and he hoped Abu Bakr (radhiallaahu anhu), will be one of them.

Imam Malik used to wear nice clothes. He liked musk, and was always dressed nicely, and surrounded by a lot of people because he taught a lot. One Zahid looked at him and wrote him a letter, chastising him for being around people and wearing nice clothes. Then Imam Malik wrote a nice letter back to him, telling him that Allah has openend many doors of righteousness, some people have fasting, some sadaqa, etc. He said “I am pleased with what Allah has given me, and I don’t think I am less than you”.

General Treatment Plan for the diseases of the heart

We will deal with a comprehensive plan for the treatment of the heart. This is the last disease.

If we look at the 7 deadly sins:

1. Pride

2. Anger

3. Envy

4. Sloth

5. Greed

6. Gluttony

7. Lust

We notice that he covered the first five but not gluttony and lust by themselves. He deals with Shahwa (gluttony and lust) as causes but not diseases in themselves. This is because these are both fitrah inclinations. Even in the Catholic tradition they are the last two, because they aren’t considered as bad as the rest. Gluttony is fuel for lust. Imam Al Ghazali covers these two extensively in his book “Breaking the Two desires” by Abdul Hakim Winters (translation). This is an excellent book, that’s highly recommended as an addition to this course. The point is to balance those two, control them, and not completely eliminate them.

General Treatment Plan for the diseases of the heart

The treatment plan that’s comprehensive is to prohibit the self from what it desires coupled with hunger. Vigilance in the night, silence and Meditation. Prohibiting the self from what it desires, “None of you truly believes until his hawaa is in accordance with what I have brought” a hadith. This incorporates prohibiting the self until it no longer desires disobedience.

“The nafs is like an infant if you neglect it, it will grow loving to suckle and if you wean it, it won’t want to”. In Israel they did a study and discovered that there is an increase in IQ by 3 points for every month a baby was breastfed! Also the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said “Beware of the wet nurse who is not intelligent, because she nourishes the brain”. Halima (The Prophet’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said wet nurse) was very eloquent, in the hadith she narrated she uses very difficult words, that ulamaa spent a lot of time on their commentary with.

The one who fears Allah and prevents his self from doing what it desires acquires self discipline. In this culture all the self help books are for people who can’t control themselves. We have prayer, fasting, cleanliness, and all these are related to learning how to discipline ourselves.

Al Hazu’u – Derision or making fun of people

Disease: Al Hazu’u (Derision or making fun of people)

Nowadays we have a whole industry of derision, caricatures, comedians etc. The cure for this is the same as the cure for arrogance as it is a type of kibr. Sayyidna Ali said “Don’t belittle anyone because he may be a Wali of Allah”. Even if you see someone vomiting and drunk you shouldn’t look down upon them because you never know what their seal will be. Umar (radhiallaahu anhu) even when he was bowing to idols was still a beloved of Allah, because it was only a temporary state he was in. “Don’t let one people mock another people lest they should be better than them”. “Don’t curse those who worship other than Allah, because they might curse Allah”. e.g burning a U.S/Israeli flag, this might incite them to burn the Quran or a Saudi flag (With la illah Illa Allah written on it).

When the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) went into Makkah he walked in with his head bowed down, humbly. It’s Mustahhab to make dua for your enemies to guidance, (it’s not wajib), you can curse them too. But remember they are still humans and can be Muslim. Hind at the liver of Hamza (radhiallaahu anhu), it doesn’t get any more barbaric than that! And she was still guided to Islam later on. Even Wahsh the man that killed Hamza became Muslim. People do things in war and they end up paying for it for the rest of their lives. More soldiers committed suicide later, than died in the Vietnam war! There is duas in the Quran cursing the oppressors, liars, etc. The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said “One might read the Quran and it may be cursing him”. Know that one’s purpose to deride others is to humiliate them, and yet he is humiliating himself before Allah. He will be repayed by ignorance.

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Oblivion to Blessings

Disease: Oblivion to Blessings

Shukr is essential to the deen of Islam. A kafir is an ingrate and even Muslims can be Kuffar (Kufrul Nai’ma). The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) warned women of being ungrateful toward their spouses. Ayah “And there is no nai’ma that you have except from Allah”. In this culture we are told to count our blessings “If you enumerate blessings of Allah you’ll never encompass them”. The Quran we begin “Bismillahi Al Rahmani Al Raheem”

Al Rahman: Giver of big blessings. Al Raheem: Giver of subtle blessings e.g the blessing just of the fact that our eyes have lubrication. People who don’t have that, need to use drops, and know the pain of dryness of the eyes. The fact that we have sockets in our eyes for protection, the fact we blink and it cleanses our eyes.  Balance is another na’ima, we can walk upright…

All the subconscious systems our respiratory system, digestive, etc. Our brain. Our very thumb…”We enobled Bani Adam”. Our tastebuds, the fact that we enjoy a variation of food. Allah tells us in the Quran to look at our food. “We brought down the rain and split the earth”.

The importance of gratitude can’t be over estimated. Some ayas should strike fear in our hearts: “Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what’s within themselves”. Disobedience takes away your blessings. Al wakee was asked about his quick movements and he said “we guarded our limbs when we were young for Allah’s sake and Allah guarded them for us in our old age”. The keeping of na’ima is gratitude.
Allah subhanahu wa t’ala has announced to us that He will give us more if we are grateful.

Istidraaj: That Allah will allow you to continue on with disobedience and increasing you in blessings until you think “Allah loves me”. People think that difficulty is because Allah hates them, and blessings reflect Allah’s love for them.

Blame Hating

Disease: Blame Hating

Part of our nature is that we don’t like to be blamed. We teach our kids from a young age that blame is bad (it comes with beating, frowns, etc) and praise is good (comes with smiles, gifts, etc). Hatred of blame can become a disease. Concerns with creations opinions becomes an impediment to Ihsaan. The reality is that we are going to die at anytime and we should not worry about no one else but Allah. This disease prevents one from doing the right thing because the right thing is often what others detest.  Courageous stances most often become known later. Geronimo a Native American fighter who fought incessantly for his land, was betrayed even by his own people. Malcolm X was taking positions that were very unpopular back then. If he had worried about people he wouldn’t have said the truth. Even their own enemies co opt them now… now that they are no threat to them.

Overcoming this barrier entails knowing that no benefit or harm can come from anyone except Allah subhanahu wa t’ala. Recognise the two names of Allah Al Nafi (The one who benefits) and Al Dharr (The one who harms). If you notice this is a cure for many diseases. Thinking that others can somehow benefit us is being delusional about reality itself. But still recognise the Asbab (means for things to happen in this world). The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) still wore two coats in the battle of Uhud. We should use diplomacy and our intellect in all situations. “The greatest Jihad is speaking the truth in front of a tyrant” the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said. But there are situations when we have to measure things out.

The impermissibility of this disease is what leads to the prohibited. e.g If you have to enjoin good and forbid evil and you get scared or you need to pray but you are afraid of your co-workers etc.  Being worried about blame for doing haraam things is normal. Real Imaan doesn’t establish itself in our hearts until blame and praise mean the same thing to us (i.e. all that you do is for the sake of Allah). In the desert they never encourage little children to display their Quranic skills, knowledge, etc. because it leads to a desire to do these things for praise, and thus the early roots of Riyaa. It’s normal to have some pride in the achievement of your children..eg. When the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked his Sahabah “Which tree is like a Mumin?” and no one could answer. Abdullah bin Umar bin Khattab knew it was a palm tree but was afraid to say so, because everyone around him was older. He later told his father, and Umar Bin Khattab remarked “I would have loved for you to have said that”.

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