3 Levels of Haya of the Heart (Fiqh Haya Al Qalb)

By

Umm Isam – Hiba Magazine Team Writer

Ibrahim At Tawejri, an Arab scholar from Madinah University has designed a brilliant curriculum for the human heart. It is called ‘Fiqh ul Quloob’ (Understanding of the hearts). The heart has two roles to play for human beings, a physical role and a spiritual role.

Physically a heart pumps blood and enables its circulation to assure life and a healthy body. Spiritually the heart recognizes Allah (swt) and is a source of guidance and right choices to assure a healthy soul.

Unlike the popular notion, Islam recognizes the human heart to be the central point of decision making. Naturally it needs, protection, nourishment, joys, defense from sorrows, etc. Armies of angels from Allah (swt) and armies of devils from Iblis contest for the human heart as per Allah’s (swt) grand plan. This is a test from Allah (swt) Who has provided detailed and complete guidance in the Quran and the Sunnah for mankind to ace this test. But those who chose to follow the devils willfully will find eternal doom.

According to the writer, modesty or Haya is a critical component of the human spiritual heart. It can feel Haya at three levels.    

Level 1

This type of modesty or Haya is born out of the realization that we are all under constant surveillance of Allah (swt) Al Baseer.  This vigilant perspective of the believer propels him to obey his Creator. The fear of punishment keeps him within boundaries and mindful of side stepping the surrounding sinful environment.

Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “And conceal your speech or publicize it, indeed He is Knowing of that within the breasts. Does He Who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Aware?” (Al Mulk 67:13-14)  

However, the higher level of Haya is when the believer obeys Allah (swt) out of His love for the Creator. Committing sins become unthinkable for him.

This intense love of Allah (swt) prevents man to complain about his fate to the ordinary creation. He is shy of complaining about Allah’s (swt) divine decree to people such as parents, spouses, kids, friends, strangers, etc.

The original state of the heart was that of a grateful and modest worshipper. But years of malpractice has transformed us into habitual critics and complainers. We are so accustomed to complain that we imagine future scenarios and begin to complain about incidents that have never even occurred. Our mind delivers the content we have been producing for years.

As believers we have to take the reigns in our hands and be modest about what and how we think about Allah (swt) and what we allow our mind, heart and tongue to process.

Level 2

The second level of modesty or Haya encourages a believer to draw closer to Allah (swt). It is his utmost wish to be in Allah’s (swt) company, to seek His pleasure, to convert every recitation into a conversation between him and Allah (swt).

Allah (swt) grants closeness (Qurb) to such a worshipper. He accepts his invocations and grants him reward for his worship and good deeds.

Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “And when My servants ask you, (O Muhammad) concerning Me – indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when He calls upon Me. So let them respond to Me (by obedience) and believe in Me that they may be rightly guided.” (Al Baqarah 2:186)

Abu Hurairah (rta) reported that Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “The servant is closest to His Lord during prostration, so increase your supplications therein.” (Muslim)

Level 3

When man’s heart and soul jointly seek Allah (swt), away from the worldly temptations and distractions, a worshipper develops this level of modesty. The creation is no more his concern. Allah’s (swt) majesty envelopes this heart. Allah (swt) is endless in His Being and in His Giving.

“He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing.” (Al Hadid 5:3)

Allah’s (swt) praise, grandeur and nobility is the Highest. As a believer increases in his gratitude and obedience, Allah (swt) covers him with His spiritual bounties, blessings and rewards, the ultimate being Jannah. This is not connected to material or tangible Rizq that worldly people desire.

“This is a reminder. And indeed, for the righteous is a good place of return – Gardens of perpetual residence, whose doors will be opened to them. Reclining within them they will call therein or abundant fruit and drink. And with them will be women limiting (their) glances and of equal age. This is what you (the righteous) are promised for the Day of Account. Indeed, this is Our Provision for it there is no depletion.” (Saad 38:49-54).

These believers will receive constant and everlasting increase in their gifts from Allah (swt) as they are connected to Allah Al Wasay, the Boundless.

A beautiful beginning

As life ends in Dunya for the modest and devout believer with his death, a bountiful and eternal life awaits him full of Allah’s (swt) divine delights.

“And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous, not far, (it will be said), ‘This is what you were promised – for every returner (to Allah) and keeper (of his covenant), who feared the Most Merciful in the unseen and came with a heart returning (in repentance). Enter it in peace. This is the Day of Eternity.’ They will have whatever they wish, and with Us is more.” (Qaaf 50:31-35)