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The Sound Heart (1/2)

Imam Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali

Source: The Key To Paradise

Published On: 27/8/2015 A.D. - 12/11/1436 H. Visited: 9050 times

None will be victorious tomorrow except for one who meets Allah with a sound heart, containing none save Him,

“...the Day when neither wealth nor sons will be of any use - except for he who comes to Allah with a sound and flawless heart.” [Surah al-Shu'ara’ (26): 88-89]

The sound heart is that heart which is secure of the filth of opposition.[1] The heart which has been sullied with despicable matters is not worthy of living in the vicinity of the Holy (al-Quddus) except after being purified by the bellows of the Fire. Only when its stains are removed does it become worthy of residing in His vicinity, "Allah is pure and accepts only that which is pure."[2]

As for hearts that are pure, immediately are they deserving of living in His vicinity,

“Peace be upon you because of your patience! How wonderful is the Ultimate Abode.” [Surah ar-Ra’d (13): 24]

“Peace be upon you! You have done well so enter it timelessly, forever.” [Surah az-Zumar (39): 73]

“...those who the angels take in a virtuous state. They say, 'Peace be upon you! Enter the Garden for what you did.’” [Surah an-Nahl (16): 32]

Whoever, today, does not ignite his heart with the fire of sorrow over what he has done in the past, or the fire of desire: desire to meet the Beloved, should know that the Fire of Hell is incomparably hotter!

None requires to be purified by the Fire of Hell except for one who did not complete his actualisation of Tawhid, and did not establish its rights and duties. The first to be hurled into the Fire from the servants who followed Tawhid will be the worshippers who showed off: the scholar, the Mujahid, and the one who gave in charity.[3] This is because a small amount of ostentation amounts to shirk[4] The ostentatious looks to creation with respect to his deeds because of his ignorance of the greatness of the Creator. The ostentatious imprints false stamps in the name of the king in order to gain ill-gotten money; he pretends that he is from the elite of that king, yet in reality he does not even know him. The ostentatious paints the picture of the king on counterfeit money so that it is circulated, but it only finds way past the uncritical.

(Continued)

[1] The teacher of the author, Hafiz ibn al-Qayyim, has a beneficial discussion explaining the meaning of the sound heart. This can be read in Appendix 1.

[2] Muslim #1015/2346 on the authority of Abu Hurayrah.

[3] Muslim #1905/4923 on the authority of Abu Hurayrah with the words, 'The first man (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgment, will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought forth and Allah will recount His blessings (which He had bestowed upon him) and he will acknowledge them. Then Allah will ask, "What did you do with them?" He will reply, "I fought for Your sake until I died as a martyr." Allah will say, "You lie. You fought so that you might be called a 'brave warrior' and you were called so." Then a command will be given and he will be dragged on his face and cast into Hell.

And a man who acquired knowledge and taught it and recited the Qur'an. He will be brought forth and Allah will recount His blessings (which He had bestowed upon him) and he will acknowledge them. Then Allah will ask, "What did you do with them?" He will say, "I acquired knowledge and disseminated it and recited the Qur'an for your sake." Allah will say, "You lie. You acquired knowledge so that you might be called 'a scholar/ and you recited the Qur'an so that it might be said, 'He is a Qari’ and it was said. Then a command will be given and he will be dragged on his face and cast into Hell.

And a man whom Allah had made abundandy rich and had granted every kind of wealth. He will be brought forth and Allah will recount His blessings (which He had bestowed upon him) and he will acknowledge them. Then Allah will ask, "What did you do with them?" He will say, "I spent money in every cause in which You wished that it should be spent for Your sake." Allah will say, "You lie. You did so that it might be said, "He is generous," and it was said. Then a command will be given and he will be dragged on his face and cast into Hell.'

[4] Ahmad #23630-23631-23636 records on the authority of Mahmud ibn Labid that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, "What I fear for you most is the minor shirk." When asked what that was he replied, "Showing off (riya’)"

It was declared sahih by ibn Khuzaymah #937, Mundhiri said its isnad was jayyid and Albani, Sahih al-Targhib #32 ruled it sahih.

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