Purification of the Heart: Its Diseases and Their Cures

by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim

The heart is the ruler and the limbs execute its commands – the limbs are the implementers of its commands and are responsive to its guidance. The actions of the limbs do not materialize unless there is an objective and intention from the heart, since the heart is responsible for all of them just as every shepherd is responsible for his flock. Due to this, the concern to rectify and correct the heart should be the utmost priority for anyone seeking the right path, and analysing and remedying its illnesses should be the most important ritual that the worshippers undertake.

When the enemy of Allāh, Iblīs, learned that the heart is the focal point and is relied upon, he attacked it with whispers, presented it with various forms of temptation, and adorned for it situations and actions that would block it from the right path; providing it with a means of deviation that cut it off from the means of success. He sets traps [and lures] the heart, so that whoever escapes falling into them would not be safe from being hindered by them. So there is no escape from his traps and schemes except through constantly seeking the help of Allāh, turning to the actions that gain His pleasure, and directing the heart towards Him in its actions, inactions and sincere servitude.

Genres: Islam

304 pages, Paperback

Published June 13, 2023

Reviews

[eny · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Among the signs of a healthy heart is that it continues to disturb a person until it turns to Allāh and submits to Him and becomes as connected to Him as a desperate lover attaches themselves to their beloved, [without] whom there can be no life, success, pleasure, or joy except through His pleasure and nearness. With Him, the heart finds tranquility, solace, shelter, and joy; it relies upon Him, trusts in Him, hopes in Him, and fears Him. Therefore, mentioning Him becomes its strength and nourishment, and love for Him and longing for Him become its life, bliss, delight, and happiness. Turning to other than Him and attachment to anything else becomes its ailment, and returning to Him becomes its remedy.”

extremely beneficial book, it addresses the topic of purification of the heart through many different angles. a must read for anyone interested in authentic scholarly literature on tazkiyah.