heart matters
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How to Nurture Presence of Heart with God?
Without doubt, the greatest trait to nurture in our worship of God and in our journey to Him is hudur al-qalb – “presence of heart”. It says in one hadith: ‘Ask God [in a state where] you are certain of being responded to; and realise that God does not respond to a supplication from a heedless and inattentive… Continue reading
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“There Are Times Where My Heart Feels Clouded”
‘There are times where my heart feels clouded (innahu la yughanu ‘ala qalbi); and I seek Allah’s forgiveness a hundred times a day,’ said the Prophet, peace be upon him.1 Istighfar or “seeking forgiveness” of Allah is not simply confined to when we commit sins. Rather, courtesy (adab) towards Allah requires us to feel a sense… Continue reading
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What Matters at Heart
‘A servant is not afflicted with any chastisement greater than a hard heart and of being remote from God. ‘Hardness of the heart comes about by four things, when the level of need is exceeded: eating, sleeping, speaking and socialising. ‘Hearts that are attached to carnal passions are veiled from God to the extent of… Continue reading
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How Can Hearts be Softened?
This following piece by Ibn al-Jawzi (d.597H/1200CE) – Hanbali scholar, famous preacher, prolific author – is from his book Sayd al-Khatir. Part meditative, part autobiographical, part exhortational, the book is a rather frank account of his life, works, experiences, achievements, disappointments, hopes, burdens and aspirations. Since it was written over a period of twenty years,… Continue reading