“The day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, except him who brings to Allah (swt) a clean heart.” (Ash-Shuara 26:88-89)
Take a step toward change, and Allah (swt) will change your heart. This is the rule of reform. There is no hope if we don’t take our hearts seriously.
If we are already practicing Muslims, we must not disassociate with the believers who are struggling in the way of Deen. Peer support and companionship with the travellers on the road to purity heals the heart faster.
Do you possess Qalb-e-Saleem?
The litmus test to determine whether or not one has Qalb-e-Saleem is to observe one’s prayers performed alone. If we are able to perform Salah beautifully and consistently in solitude, we can say that we have a sound heart and a strong relationship with the Lord (swt). However, if our Salah in congregation differs from the one performed in solitude, we need to check ourselves.
We can invoke Allah (swt) that He always makes us pray better in solitude than when we pray in congregation.
The Prophet (sa) informed us that the heart of every individual is between the two fingers of Allah (swt). He can tilt it in any direction He wishes. (Muslim)
We are taught the following invocations to beseech our Rabb (swt):
رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ
“Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Bestower.” (Al-Imran 3:8)
اللَّهُمَّ مُصَرِّفَ الْقُلُوبِ صَرِّفْ قُلُوبَنَا عَلَى طَاعَتِكَ
“O Allah (swt), Turner of the hearts, Direct our hearts to Your obedience.” (Muslim)
يَا مُقَلِّبَ الْقُلُوبِ ثَبِّتْ قَلْبِي عَلَى دِينِك
“O Allah (swt), O Changer of the hearts, keep my heart firm on the religion.” (Tirmidhi)
Philip James Bailey (22 April 1816 – 6 September 1902), an English poet, wrote the following poetic verses:
We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.
Partially adapted from Br. Wael Ibrahim’s talk by Rana Rais Khan.
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