Battles of the Heart

The Struggle between Divine Will & Ego’s Wish 

In daily life, every person finds themselves confronted by an inner struggle; a battle not visible to the naked eye, yet very real within the heart and mind. It is not a war fought with swords or guns, but a silent conflict – a battle between good and evil; between light and darkness. It is a clash between divine guidance and personal desires; between what Allah has commanded and what the Nafs (the passionate soul) yearns to do. This struggle does not begin in the streets or in society; it begins within the heart itself. It is a constant battle; it starts from childhood and lasts until death. Whoever triumphs in this struggle achieves true success.

 

The Holy Qur’an describes the Nafs in various ways. There is the Nafs that inclines towards evil, known as “an-nafs al-ammarah bis-su’,” as mentioned in Surah Yusuf, Verse 54: “Indeed, the soul commands evil, except for the one upon whom my Lord has mercy.” This state is dangerous, for it normalises sin; it justifies disobedience; it turns what is forbidden into pleasure. Yet Allah, in His mercy, grants the opportunity to purify this Nafs, to transform it into a tranquil soul (an-nafs al-mutma’innah), as mentioned in Surah Al-Fajr: “O soul at peace, return to your Lord, pleased and pleasing.”

Tawwakul: Trust in Allah

 

In the life of a Muslim, there is a fundamental principle that permeates every aspect of existence: it is trust in Allah, known as Tawakkul. This concept is not merely an abstract idea or a fleeting emotion; it is a way of life, a direction of the heart, a discipline of the soul. When a person truly understands Tawakkul in its depth, they begin to live with a peace that does not depend on external circumstances, but on an intimate connection with the Creator.

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah repeatedly emphasises the importance of placing trust in Him. For example, in Surah At-Talaq, Verse 4, He says: “And whoever places his trust in Allah, then Allah is sufficient for him.” This statement is filled with promise and comfort. It clearly conveys that if a person truly turns to Allah with trust, then they need not rely on anyone else. Allah is sufficient for that person; He knows all their needs, all their fears, all their desires, and He can satisfy their heart even when the entire world turns its back on them.

Spiritual Elevation: Three Stages

In life, many people seek to rise in rank. Some wish to be promoted at work; some long for respect in society; others hope to live a comfortable life. But do people also think about rising in rank with Allah? That is to say, attaining a higher place in Paradise, in the life to come? This is not merely a dream; it is a very real possibility. However, it requires effort, sincerity in action, and consistency in behaviour.

 

In Surah Al-Mujadila, Chapter 58, Verse 12, Allah says: “Allah elevates in degrees those among you who have believed and those who have been given knowledge.”

 

This verse is clear: it is Allah alone Who raises people in rank, and He grants this to those who have faith and seek knowledge. So, it is not just a matter of doing many deeds; those deeds must also be carried out with conviction and understanding.

Anti-Muslim Wars, and Our Duahs

A Call towards Allah and the Unity of Muslims

Today, for my Jalsa Salana speech, I return to a very important subject: the unity of Muslims, and the need to distance ourselves from things that hold no real value, so that we may be guided towards the vast blessings Allah has promised to those who follow His path – in the right way, and with Taqwa (i.e. with the consciousness of the presence of Allah and having an awe-inspiring reverence for Him).

Today, my call is not only to you, my dear followers, but to the entire Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and to humanity as a whole.

Major Sins in Islam- 2

On Hypocrisy, Deceit, Murder, & Addictions

 

In the light of Islam, there are certain prohibitions that not only prevent us from doing wrong, but also guide us towards divine mercy and eternal salvation. Allah has warned us against hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a spiritual illness of the heart; it is an inner corruption that destroys sincerity and disrupts the healthy functioning of community life.

 

The Quran describes hypocrites as follows: “The hypocrites, men and women, are alike. They encourage what is evil, forbid what is good, and are miserly. They have forgotten Allah, so Allah has forgotten them.” (At-Tauba 9: 67)

 

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) defined the signs of a hypocrite: “When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he does not keep it; and when he is entrusted with something, he betrays that trust.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

 

These are the signs of a hypocrite. The Prophet (pbuh) also said: “Four traits make a person a complete hypocrite: betrayal, lying, breaking promises, and concealing the truth during disputes.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

 

Social hypocrisy is also condemned. Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “There is nothing more serious than a person with two faces.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Major Sins in Islam- 1

 

Idolatry and Anger 

 

Islam, as a Deen (a way of life and a revealed religion), offers a path – a series of wise instructions and divine commands – so that a believer may build their life upon justice, compassion and uprightness. Among the core teachings of Islam are clear prohibitions, designed to preserve the moral and social balance of human society. These prohibitions are not merely rules; they are spiritual guidance meant to protect the soul of mankind from corruption and to promote a harmonious society. I will now present some major prohibitions in the light of the Quran and Hadiths:

 

1. Polytheism and Idolatry

 

We must keep in mind that the gravest sin in the sight of Allah is Shirk, i.e., associating any other (false) deity with Allah. The Oneness of Allah is the central pillar of Islam. Therefore, if someone attributes partners to Allah – partners He never had – this is considered the most serious sin in Islam. Allah says in the Quran: “Allah does not forgive that anything be associated with Him, but He forgives whatever is less than that for whom He wills. Whoever sets up partners with Allah has indeed gone far astray.” (An-Nisa 4: 117)

The Next Life

  

In the Islamic view of life, nothing is more important than success in the eternal life; the life after death. This success isn’t measured by wealth or comfort, but by entering Paradise after receiving Allah’s forgiveness. That is the true triumph: when a person rises above the limits of this worldly life and reaches an everlasting life filled with endless joy. In His infinite wisdom, Allah has set clear signs to guide us towards this noble destination. 

A Muslim is invited to seek Allah’s pleasure and stay away from anything that brings His anger. This doesn’t just mean avoiding sins; it means living a life that reflects divine values and principles, with the hope that Allah will welcome us with His mercy – not only when we leave this world, but also on the Day of Judgement. Allah says in Surah Al-Imran (3: 32): “Say: If you truly love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

 

This verse reminds us that Allah’s love comes through obedience to the Prophet – whether it’s the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), or any prophet sent in different times to revive Islam in the hearts of those who had forgotten it. We must remember that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the perfect example for all humanity, even for the prophets who came and who will continue to come after him. These prophets are called to uphold his honour, the honour of Allah –our Creator, and to restore the true value of the Qur’an. The life of the Prophet is a model of virtue for all of us. Whoever follows his path will receive Allah’s forgiveness and love – two essential gifts for entering Paradise.