What is the Condition of Your Heart?

What is the Condition of Your Heart?

(Excerpt from the Book - Emotional Intelligence; Reflecting on the Prophet’s Way)

By Muhammad Javed

The heart is certainly the spiritual seat/throne of the individual where the feelings, emotions and even thoughts rest. It is also the seat of the soul, and the king of our bodies. As Allah ﷻ says,

“The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children. But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” [Quran 26:88-89]

While some argue that the brain is the pilot of our human self, it is a well-acknowledged fact that the seat of our emotions is our heart. Studies have also shown that there are 1000’s of neuron receptors in our heart, which convey signals to our brains. {As a proof, heart patients experience severe emotional disorders!}[1]

The seat of faith or eman is also in the heart. Allah has explained that there are three types of hearts: The Dead Heart, the Intermediate heart and the Sound heart.

Our ultimate purpose in life is to overcome the challenges and tests - the fitan in this life, obey the commandments of Allah and reject Shaytan, so we die upon the truth and enter Jannah.

There are numerous tests that we need to overcome by rejecting the desires of our nafs (base self) which enjoins us to be lazy, to indulge in worldly desires that are prohibited by the Lawgiver and fall into sin and transgression. Only by doing so and by constant repentance for slipping into sin, can we keep our hearts sound and pure and protect it from the stains that will eventually lead to its hardening and prevent the heart from receiving the light of divine guidance.

There are Three main types of hearts:

The Dead Heart

 Every time we give in and commit a sin, a dark spot appears in our heart. If one indulges more and more making these sins habitual, eventually the heart becomes darker and darker, the moral compass gets rusted and we stop feeling remorse over sins. We lose that sense of guilt that Allah has implanted in us to help us repent and turn back to our Rabb. Eventually, this unchecked heart becomes dead in this stage, corruption is complete and Shaytan becomes the navigator, enjoying full control. Such a heart rejects goodness, rejects good advice and good people.

“No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning.” [83:14]

“Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing, and over their vision is a veil. And for them is a great punishment.” [2:7]

The Sick Heart

The sick heart has eman and faith in it. However it is not at the optimum level. It is also stirred by its desires, lusts and doubts. This type of heart has sincerity and love for Allah swt. Some times this type of heart is alive and connected with the creator and other times it is ruled by its desires. It is in a constant tribulation between these states and the type of company deeply influences the state of this type of heart. If they are surrounded by good company who reminds them of Allah Azzawajal, they will be motivated to do good and stay away from evil. If they are in the company of evil people, who encourage them to indulge in their desires and do evil, they follow their lead. 

 The Sound Heart

 On the other hand, if we regulate our nafs, are self-aware, know our weakness and call upon Allah ﷻ to help us overcome them, repent and turn to Allah as soon as we slip and sin, then the dark spot in our heart gets cleansed. The more we submit to Allah’s commands and seek forgiveness for our sins, the closer we get towards a “sound heart”.

Since only the sound heart enters paradise, Allah cleanses us of our sins either in this world by putting us through trials and tribulations; and / or punishment in the grave. If that is not sufficient, Muslims may be tried by the horror of the Hour and the Day of Judgement, crossing of the bridge. Even if all those are not enough to wipe of the corruption in our hearts, then one may be cast into Hellfire for a period of time, until Allah wills, and then be sent to Paradise, bee idhnillah. Of course, Allah may forgive whom He wills as He has dominion over all things.

So what type of heart are you? These questions should help you gauge the condition of  your heart:

Do we monitor our tongue and restrain it from uttering what displeases Allah? (backbiting, slandering, tale-carrying, foul language etc.)

Are we conscious of Allah swt while performing salah and not just merely performing the actions?

Does salah have a positive effect on our personality and psychology and help us obey Allah and stay away from temptations from one salah to the next?

Do we restrain our eyes from looking at haram things, fearing Allah’s displeasure and punishment?

When facing a temptation (fitna), be it sexual, material (wealth), do we ward it off by remembering Allah or do we regularly succumb to them?

Do we ward of confusions that shaytan insinuates (whispers) in us, and maintain seek refuge in Allah?

Do we maintain seelatur rahm (family bonds) and fear displeasing Allah from breaking them?

Do we control our emotions and channel them to please Allah swt instead of being controlled by our emotions and doing things that earn His displeasure?

In sha Allah, I'll post an article outlining the process of purification of your heart next week. Stay tuned...

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bH8gQezrws BBC: Heart vs. Mind – What Makes Us Human?