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Allah emphasises the purification of the heart in the Holy Qur’an. In Surah Ash-Shu’ara (Verses 89-90), Allah says: “The Day (Day of Judgement) when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit. Only those who come before Allah with a pure heart (will be saved).”
This verse shows that the only passport to
Paradise is a clean heart, free from hatred, jealousy, and resentment. In Surah
Al-Hajj (Verse 33), Allah says: “That is so. And
whoever honours the symbols of Allah, it is certainly out of the piety of the
heart.”
And in Surah Al-Baqara (Verse 11), Allah says: “There is sickness in their hearts, and Allah (only) lets
their sickness increase. They will suffer a painful punishment for their lies.”
This verse proves that the heart can become
diseased or corrupted by hypocrisy, hatred, and jealousy; and it can be
purified by faith (Iman), remembrance of Allah (Zikrullah), and
sincerity (Ikhlaas).
In Surah Al-Ra’d (Verse 29), Allah says: “Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the
remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find
comfort.” This verse is a reminder of true Iman, a solid Iman
(faith) which is firmly anchored in Zikrullah (the remembrance of Allah)
is true nourishment for our soul and our heart.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said in a Hadith
narrated by Muslim: “Allah does not look at your bodies or your faces, but
He looks at your hearts.” In another version, he (pbuh) said: “Allah
does not look at your faces and your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and
your deeds.” In yet another version, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah
does not look at your bodies (your outward appearance or the colour of your
skin), but He looks at your hearts and your accomplishments.”
Therefore, a person’s worth before Allah is not
based on their outward appearance, skin colour, or even their social standing,
whether they are rich or not, but rather on the sincerity of their heart. A
heart filled with hatred and jealousy destroys faith; a heart filled with
forgiveness and love elevates a person to nobility and a high rank in the sight
of Allah.
In Surah Al-Imran (Verses 134-135), Allah says:
“And hasten to the forgiveness of your Lord and
to a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the
God-fearing, who spend in the way of Allah both in prosperity and adversity,
who restrain their anger, and forgive others. Allah loves those who do good.”
This verse shows humanity that forgiveness and restraint when anger rises are
qualities of a pure heart.
Therefore, Allah has shown through His own
teachings and those of His beloved Messenger (pbuh) that only a pure heart will
enter Paradise, a heart free from pride or arrogance, a heart that is not
asleep, that is to say, one that is spiritually awakened.
In a Hadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, narrated by
Jabir bin Abdullah (ra), a number of angels visited the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
while he was sleeping. They used a parable to describe his sleep and explained
his spiritual state and his mission as a prophet in an extraordinary way. While
some of them said that he (pbuh) was sleeping, the other angels said, “His
eyes may be sleeping, but his heart is awake.” And they gave the example of
his advent and his message as a person who built a house and prepared a banquet
(feast), and then sent a messenger to invite people to come to his house/s and
eat from his feast. That house, or those houses, is Paradise, and the one who
invited those people was Muhammad (pbuh), the Messenger (Prophet) of Allah.
Therefore, whoever obeys the Prophet has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys him
has disobeyed Allah. And the Prophet truly came to separate people; that is to
say, to separate the bad people – those who have been afflicted by evil – from
the good people. Therefore, those who answer His call form part of the
inhabitants of Paradise, those who obey Allah and His Prophet.
This is an extraordinary anecdote and analysis
that the angels have helped us understand through this conversation that Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) lived in his sleep while his conscience, his inner heart, was
awake. It is an important reminder that obedience to Allah and His Prophet is
very important. Whoever desires to keep their heart spiritually awake and gain
divine love and mercy must respect and love Allah and His prophets. Obedience to
the prophets of Allah is an entry into Paradise. Responding to the call of a
Messenger of Allah is responding to the call of Allah.
Therefore, my advice to you: Keep your hearts
constantly awake through the remembrance of Allah (Zikrullah) until
Allah Himself declares your hearts to be living, awakened hearts. And think carefully
before taking any action, lest it causes you to slip away from divine mercy.
Reflect carefully on your actions and also on your intentions. Keep your hearts
pure, cleansed by good thoughts and by the remembrance of Allah. Keep the name
of Allah constantly on your tongue and in your thoughts. Develop an unbreakable
relationship with Allah, where you do not forget Him in any situation, whether in
good times or bad times. Do not forget that only Allah can remove all your
misfortunes. When you recognise that Allah alone is your Lord and Creator, and
that you are aware that He alone has the power to forgive you and make you as
pure as before your birth on this earth, and even purer than that, then you
must turn to Allah in repentance and ask Allah for forgiveness for all your
sins and shortcomings. Keep your hearts alive in the remembrance of Allah, and
in having good thoughts, and stay far from all the impurities of Satan who will
try by all means to lead you astray.
In a Hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Amir (ra),
there was a question asked to the Noble Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh): “Who
among people is the best?” Then Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) replied: “All
those who are pure of heart (Makmum Qalbi) and sincere in their words
(Saduuqil-Lisaan).” Then they said: “We know about being sincere in
words, but what does it mean to have a pure heart (Makmum Qalbi)?” Then
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) replied: “It is a pious and pure heart, without any
sin, injustice, resentment, or envy (jealousy) in it.”
In other words, it is an innocent heart, like
that of a newborn baby, a pure heart, devoid of animosity, jealousy, or hatred;
a heart free from injustice. Therefore, we find that the value of a believer is
not measured by the quantity of Salat (Namaz) or Duahs, or even
fasts (Sawm/ Roza) that a person does, but is measured by the quality of
their heart.
In Surah Al-Anfal (Verse 3), Allah says: “Those who believe are those whose hearts tremble when the
name of Allah is mentioned, and when they recite the verses of Allah, it
increases them in faith, and they rely upon their Lord.” This shows
that a sensitive and pure heart is a sign of a true believer.
Keep in mind that hatred is a poison that
destroys the heart, and forgiveness is a remedy that purifies it. In Surah
Al-Hashr (Verse 11), Allah teaches believers this supplication: “Our Lord! Forgive us and our fellow believers who preceded
us in faith, and do not allow bitterness into our hearts towards those who
believe. Our Lord! Indeed, You are Ever Gracious, Most Merciful.” That
verse is a supplication for the purification of the heart.
Nobility of heart means living among people
with purity, good character, without selfishness, and without revenge. A noble
believer congratulates his brother when he receives blessings; he recognises
Allah’s generosity and is not jealous. A pure heart is one that gives good
advice for the love of Allah; in his heart there is no deceit, no hatred, and
no jealousy.
Consider well that Islam condemns selfishness
and avarice; Islam is founded on love, family and social harmony, and
solidarity. A pure heart is a heart that beats and strives for good, that
resists evil, and that remains sensitive despite the temptations of Satan. In
Surah Al-Balad (Verse 18), Allah says (about those who truly believe): “Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin
patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and
compassion.” This shows that a noble heart is one filled with
patience and compassion.
Consider well that whoever slanders an innocent
person will not enter Paradise. Slander and hatred cannot coexist in the heart
of a true Muslim. Whoever conceals the faults of his brother, Allah will
conceal his faults on the Day of Judgment. Whoever exposes the nakedness of a
believer is like eating the flesh of a corpse, and that is truly repugnant.
Therefore, slander is a poison that destroys
brotherhood in Islam and blackens hearts. In Surah Al-Hujurat (Verse 13), Allah
says: “O those who believe, avoid much doubt
(supposition). Indeed, some of your assumptions (doubts) are sins. And do not
spy or backbite. Would one of you be pleased to eat the flesh of his dead
brother? You would hate that. So fear Allah (as required).” Here,
Allah shows us the seriousness of backbiting and spying, which destroy the
purity of the heart.
Envy (jealousy) is also a great evil. Allah
commanded Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and all his prophets and their followers to
seek refuge from the evil of the one who is envious. In Surah Al-Falaq (Verse
6), Allah says: “And from the evil of one who is
envious when he is envious.” The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said in a Hadith
narrated by Abu Huraira (ra) in Sunan Abu Dawud: “Beware of jealousy;
jealousy consumes good deeds like fire reduces wood to dust.”
The jealous (envious) person is never
satisfied; their heart is filled with jealousy, they suffer because of it, and
this jealousy destroys their faith. A humble believer seeks refuge with Allah,
stays away from jealousy, congratulates their brother, and understands that
every good deed is a gift from Allah. In Surah An-Nisa (Verse 55), Allah says: “Do they envy (other) people for the bounty Allah has
granted them?” Through this, we understand that Allah hates
jealousy, a jealousy that destroys, and not a jealousy that is beneficial, that
encourages people to compete in the path of Allah and to come closer to Him.
Allah is jealous, but not with an evil jealousy, but with a constructive
jealousy, based on His Truth and His Oneness.
Allah says in Surah Ash-Shams (Verses 10-11): “Whoever purifies his heart will be successful, and
whoever lets it become corrupt will fail.”
Therefore, consider well that eternal success
depends on the purification of the heart. Whoever forgives his brother,
conceals his faults, is not jealous or envious, pleases Allah, especially when
he holds fast to true faith, to the Oneness of Allah, and does not associate
anyone with Him in his worship.
A pure heart is also one filled with
compassion, such as freeing slaves (and being generous to those who work for
him), feeding the poor and orphans, and maintaining patience and enjoining
mercy upon others. This is a portrait of a noble heart, a heart that is not
jealous, a heart that is sincere towards Allah, and it is this sincerity that
makes him an example among all believers. He does not only pray, but he acts with
kindness and mercy.
In a Hadith narrated by Nu’man bin Bashir (ra)
in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “The
believers in their love, compassion, and mercy are like a single body; when one
limb suffers, the whole body feels pain (and fever).” Therefore, purity of
heart also means being sensitive to the suffering of our brothers, sisters, and
children who are suffering. We feel their pain and help them in any way we can,
and even if we are unable to provide them with material assistance, we invoke
Allah’s favour upon them, for the best provider of Rahma
(grace) is Ar-Rahman (The
Merciful – Allah) Himself.
Therefore, I recommend to all my disciples, if
you wish Allah to be pleased with you (to love you) and reserve His Paradise
for you, then preserve your hearts from the darkness of sin; keep a Makmum
Qalbi (a pure heart) within you. Obey Allah and obey His Noble Prophet
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and in this present age of Divine Manifestation, obey
His Khalifatullah who has come as the one who invites you to Allah and His
Paradise. Do not darken your hearts with hatred, slander, or resentment, for
all of this will become a barrier between you and Allah (and His Paradise).
Stay far from all the filth of Satan, and preserve your dignity within the
dignity and beauty of Islam. Beautify yourselves with Islam, and let divine
light enter your hearts. Keep your hearts awake in the remembrance of Allah (Zikrullah)
and extend compassion to all your brothers and sisters of the Ummah of Islam
and humanity in general. Insha-Allah. I pray that you will understand
the importance of maintaining your hearts in a pure (Makmum) state, for
the heart is the seat of your faith. Keep it pure, and let your whole life be
guided by purity as a consequence of this, Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 07 August 2026~ 23 Safar 1448 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.