The Keys to the Life of the Heart
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
by Shaykh Ibraaheem ibn `Abdullaah al-Haazimee
Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "The keys
to the life of the heart lie in reflecting upon the Qur'aan, being
humble before Allaah in secret, and leaving sins." [Haadee al-Arwaah ilaa
Bilaad al-Afraah (p.45) of Ibn al-Qayyim.] Allaah, the Most High, said:
A Book which We have sent down to you, full of
blessings that they may ponder over its verses, and
that men of understanding may take heed. [Saad (38):29]
So Allaah informed us that He sent down this Great Qur'aan, blessed
in its wording, meaning, commands, prohibitions and regulations.
Amongst its blessings is that the one who recites even one word of it
then he has a reward, and this reward is increased tenfold, as
mentioned in the hadeeth reported by at-Tirmidhee, and
at-Tirmidhee said that it is hasan saheeh. Also amongst its blessings
is that the one who reads it and actts upon it shall not be misguided in
this world, nor fall into distress and misery in the Hereafter as stated
by Ibn Abbaas in the commentary to the verse,
Whoever follows My guidance shall neither go astray
nor fall into distress and misery. [Taa Haa (20):123]
Amongst its blessings is also that the one who learns it and teaches it
is from the best of people as occurs in the hadeeth reported by
al-Bukhaaree, "The best of you is the one who learns the Qur'aan
and then teaches it." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree Eng. Trans., 6/501 no.545]
Amonsgt its blessings is that it will be an intercessor on the Day of
Judgement for its companions who used to act by it in this world as
occurs in the two ahaadeeth reported by Muslim in his Saheeh.
[Saheeh Muslim Eng. Trans. 2/385-385 no.1757, 1759]
He, the Exalted informed us that He revealed the Qur'aan so that its
meanings, commands and prohibitions may be reflected over, such
that if one were to come across a verse commanding something then
he should follow it. If one were to come across a verse forbidding
something then he should leave it. If one were to come across a
verse concerning the Mercy of Allaah then he would hope for this
Mercy and ask for it. If one were to come across a verse threatening
with punishment then he would fear this and seek refuge with Allaah
from it. If one were to come across a verse concerning the
glorification of Allaah then he would glorify Allaah, and through this
faith, knowledge, guidance and taqwaa will increase.
Allaah said while describing the believers,
And when His verses are recited unto them, they
increase their faith. [Soorah al-Anfaal (8):2]
Due to their containing promises and threats that motivate hope and
fear; and Allaah, the Most High, said,
Do they not ponder over the Qur'aan or are there
locks upon their hearts? [Soorah Muhammad (47):24]
Amongst the ways of giving life to the heart is to be humble to Allah
in secret. Meaning to desire and long for Allaah through
supplication, seeking forgiveness, turning to Him, asking for victory,
Paradise and shelter from Hellfire at the time when Allaah descends
to the lowest Heaven in the last third of the night, as occurs in the
authentic hadeeth,
"Our Lord descends tot he lowest heaven when a third of the night
remains, saying: Who is supplicating to Me that I may answer
him? Who is asking of Me that I may give him? Who is seeking
forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him?" Reported by
al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.
This hadeeth contains encouragement to stand in the last part of the
night, praying, supplicating, and asking for forgiveness, Paradise and
safety from the Fire, and supplicating for good in this life and the
Hereafter. Indeed Allaah has commanded us with supplication and
promisd to reply, and He who is far removed from imperfection,
does not break His promises. Amongst the times that this reply will
be attained is the last part of the night, and this is a blessing that
Allaah bestows upon whomsoever He wishes, and Allaah is the
Possessor of great blessings and bounty.
And from the ways of giving life to the heart is to leave the sins that
kill it, as in the hadeeth,
"When the servant performs a sin a black spot appears on his heart,
and if he seeks forgiveness this black spot is removed, and if he
returns to sin the black spot grows until his heart becomes black,
and this is the 'Raan' about which Allaah spoke,
'Nay! But on their hearts is the covering of sins (raan)
which they used to earn.'" [Sooraah al-Mutaffifeen (83):14]
[Reported by an-Nasaa'ee and at-Tirmidhee who said it was hasan
saheeh.]
The poet said,
I saw the sins killing the hearts
breeding ignominy due to their addiction
And in the leaving of sins lies its life
and it is best for your soul that you preserve it.
Source: Hearts & Their Cures
Translator: Abu Rumaysah
Courtesy Of: Islaam.com