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Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, Allah (swt) have given me the Tawfiq again
and also the Ilm (knowledge) to continue the 4th part
of the Friday Sermon on the heart.
The heart is the abode of Iman. If someone
believes in Allah and His Rasul (pbuh) and he has no atom of Kufr and Nifaaq in
his heart, then such a person can never be a non-believer. No non-believer can
be pious, virtuous or a follower of the Quran and the Sunnah of Rasullullah
(pbuh). Allah Ta’ala says: “Allah has not assigned unto any man two
hearts within the body.” (33: 5).
We learn from the above that no two opposing
ideologies can be founded on one platform like how two hearts cannot be formed
in a body. A true Muslim will befriend the friends of Allah and stay away from
the enemies of Allah. Since the heart has an important position, only what is
in it will be taken into consideration. It is reported in a Hadith that
Rasullullah (pbuh) has said: “Allah neither looks at your appearance
nor at your wealth but looks at your hearts and your deeds.”
The heart is the abode of Iman. Those who
claim to be believers and do not haveIman in their hearts have been
warned by Allah in the following words: “The Arabs of the deserts say:
“We believe. Say: You do not believe (yet), but rather say “We submit”, for Iman has
not yet entered into your hearts.” (49: 15).
Allah has also said: “Whoso disbelieves in
Allah after his belief – save him who is forced thereto and whose heart is
still content with Iman…” (16: 107).
Hard-heartedness is a special type of stubbornness.
They reject the verses of Allah and their hearts do not accept virtuous
advices. Allah says regarding the Bani Israel:“Then, after that, your hearts
were hardened and became as rocks or worse than rocks, for hardness”. (2:
75).
Soft-heartedness is a means of gaining proximity to
Allah while hard-heartedness is a means of becoming distant from Allah. The
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is reported to have said: “Allah has placed
His container in the hearts of the people populating this universe. Your Lord’s
container is in the hearts of the virtuous. Allah loves most the hearts that
are soft in nature.”
The severest punishment given to a person is
hard-heartedness. When Allah is displeased with a nation He removes the faculty
of mercy from their hearts.
Allah has said that He has sealed the hearts of the
disbelievers. “As for the disbelievers, whether you warn them or
not; they will not believe. 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:
7-8).
The heart is a fountain and source of intentions.
Reward is granted on the basis of these intentions. And on the basis of these
intentions you will be questioned. Allah (swt) says: “Allah will not
take you to task for that which is unintentional in your oaths. But He will
take you to task for that which your hearts have garnered. Allah is Forgiving,
Clement.” (2: 226).
Accountability is dependent on intentions and it is
the heart that intends. Allah says:“And there is no sin for you in the
mistakes that you make unintentionally, but what your hearts purpose (that will
be a sin for you). Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.” (33: 6)
A thankful heart and tongue engage in the remembrance
of Allah is the best and most valuable gift of Allah. The Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) is reported to have said:“A thanksgiving heart, a tongue engaged in
the remembrance of Allah and a virtuous wife assisting you in this world as
well as for the hereafter is a most precious treasure.”
Allah (swt) is all aware of the secrets hidden in
every heart. He advises the believing men in the following words.
“And fear Allah, for Allah knows well the secrets of
your hearts.” (5:
8)
“Allah knows what is in your hearts (O people), and
Allah is ever Forgiving, Clement.” (33: 52)
Regarding the Munafiqeen Allah says:
“Those are they, the secrets of whose hearts Allah
knows. So oppose them and admonish them, and address them in plain terms about
their souls.” (4:
64)
The heart is the recipient of warning, advice and
admonitions. Allah says:
“Of them are some who listen to you, but We have
placed upon their hearts veils, lest they should understand, and in their ears
a deafness.” (6:
26)
There are such veils upon their hearts that they are
unable to accept any advices or warnings.
“Already have We urged unto hell many of the jinn and
humankind, having hearts wherewith they understand not, and having eyes
wherewith they see not, and having ears wherewith they hear not. These are as
the cattle – nay, but they are worse! These are the neglectful.” (7: 180)
These people do not accept and understand the reality
of guidance nor do they ponder over it with their hearts. Allah (swt) says:
“Have they not travelled in the land, and have they
hearts wherewith to feel and ears wherewith to hear? For indeed it is not the
eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts, which are within the bosoms, that
grow blind.” (22:
47)
I end my sermon here today and I pray to my Rab that
He gives me the Tawfiq to continue the same topic of my sermon
next Friday, Insha-Allah.
I end with this duah: Oh my Rab, place me among those who seek
forgiveness, place me among Your righteous and obedient servants and place me
among Your close friends through Your mercy, Oh the Most Merciful of the
merciful. Ameen.
- Friday Sermon of October 17, 2014 delivered by the Khalifatullah (atba).