By
Umm Zahra – Hiba magazine content writer
Physically a heart may be pumping blood to the whole body and fulfilling its function, however Allah (swt) informs us in the Quran that the heart He created also has a spiritual role that is much more vital. Spiritually, there are three categories of the human heart:
1, The sound heart
2, The diseased heart
3, The dead heart
1, The sound heart (Qalbin Saleem)
This is the original make up of a human heart that Allah (swt) created and designed for him. Every human baby is born with it regardless of gender, race and especially religion that his parents give him. That is the reason why if a child dies before reaching puberty, Allah (swt) does not hold him accountable as he was upon Fitrah (natural disposition) and was in a learning phase.
The sound heart is free from lusts and desires of the world. Similarly it also doesn’t harbor doubts and disbeliefs related to Allah (swt) or His Deen. This heart is pure and doesn’t ascribe any partners to Allah (swt) as his only Creator, Owner and God. It does not worship anyone but Allah (swt). When presented with choices in life between the Sunnah and others, it does not follow anyone but Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) way of life.
The loyalty of this heart is not seasonal. It is guided in good or bad times. The heart pins all its hopes, fears, reliance, aspirations and ambitions to its Creator only. These are different aspects of worship of the heart.
It gives, holds, befriends or battles for the sake of its Rabb only. It submits willingly, completely and happily before Allah (swt). This is the sound heart called “Qalbin Saleem”.
Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “The day when there will not benefit (anyone) wealth or children. But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.” (Ash Shuara 26:88-89)
In the hereafter when everyone is resurrected by Allah (swt) and held accountable for their life in the world, humans will be asked about the state of their heart. How well did they take care of it in their worldly life? This heart is a trust (Amanah) and a means to recognize Allah (swt). That is its primary objective and role. We will have to ensure all our life that it remains corruption free and does not become a weapon of the Satan.
Does that mean that a believer should never fulfil any of his desire in the world? No, it means that he can pursue such desires that do not clash with the divine scripture and his faith. For e.g. if one feels like indulging in ice cream, he can have it as long as the dessert is Halal (permissible) and Tayyab (pure).
2, The diseased heart
This heart contains two types of tendencies: good and evil. They both pull each other. In response such a person carries a dual personality. In the Masjid you will find him praying as a pious worshipper. In the market or in public you will find him disobeying Allah (swt) to go with the flow.
Such a person’s life is not governed by purpose or principles. He carries two identities. Whenever the environment is suitable for Allah’s (swt) obedience he follows. Whenever he is attracted by sins, he goes astray.
The diseased heart consists of some level of Iman (faith), Akhlaaq (good conduct) and Ikhlaas (purity of intent). But it also carries Shahwaat (lusts) and Shubhaat (doubts). It is ambitious to acquire the worldly pleasures that lead it to vices such as jealousy, arrogance, pride.
Such people wrongly assume about themselves that they are good however, they are void of Taqwa (Allah consciousness). They cause corruption and oppression the world due to their status and authority. Their incorrect self-evaluation leads them to destruction.
The diseased heart is dwindling between Daar ul Aakhirah (home in the hereafter) and Daar ul Aajilah (home in Dunya). One calls to delayed gratification while the later calls them towards instant gratification.
It’s like being invited to two parties. When the invitee attends both, it tires him. He cannot enjoy either one of the occasions. Similarly this heart tries to fulfill both of its obligations but when it goes to a place of sin, it may feel guilty but not muster enough courage to refuse the invitation. Similarly when this person is praying, he is constantly remembering his worldly tasks and not able to enjoy his worship.
Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “And among them is he who says, ‘Permit me (to remain at home) and do not put me to trial.’ Unquestionably, into trial they have fallen. And indeed, hell will encompass the disbelievers.” (Al Anfal 9:49)
3, The dead heart
This heart forgets or disregards its origin. It mutes every voice of reason and conscience. It refuses to follow any divine guidance. It thrives on pleasure and lusts no matter where they take him. The heart is not bothered about Allah’s (swt) warnings, anger, punishment, hell, etc. Its desires reign supreme. Such a person is wrong to assume that he does not worship any God. He actually worships his Nafs or desires. So actually this heart is enslaved.
The dead heart’s hopes, fears, pleasures, love and submission are all associated to some one other than Allah (swt). The heart is led by ignorance. It rides upon heedlessness. Evil is his trade and sins are the produce of it. This is the most corrupt heart that follows transgressing men and Jinn. It is impure and vile.
Sometimes when someone receives Allah’s (swt) blessings for a long time, it turns them thankless and heedless too. His worship loses the sweetness, his actions become weightless and his heart becomes dysfunctional. He becomes a creature of habit even when he prays. Nothing revives his dead heart. No sight or sound reaches his heart to move it or penetrate it.
Allah (swt) states in the Quran: “And they said, ‘Our hearts are wrapped.’ But (in fact), Allah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is it that they believe.” (Al Baqarah 2:88)
Allah (swt) tests all three hearts in the world. The distinguishing factor among the three categories of hearts are mainly how each of them:
1, perceives the truth (Haqq)
2, submits before it
3, accepts the truth with certainty
We have examples of all three categories of the heart in our history. Abu Bakr As Siddiq (rta) had Qalbin Saleem. As soon as the truth was presented to him, he accepted it and passed every single trial from that day onwards, never doubting or disbelieving in Islam.
Allah (swt) describes such believers in the Quran: “… And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and (therefore) believe in it and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allah the Guide of those who have believed to a straight path.” (Al Hajj 22:54)
Similarly Abdullah bin Ubayyi was a hypocrite in Madinah, who neither perceived the truth of Allah (swt) and His Prophet (sa) and nor did he submit to it with any conviction. Such people have been described by Allah (swt):
“And whenever a Surah is revealed, there are among them (i.e. the hypocrites) those who say, ‘which of you has this increased in faith?’ As for those who believed, it has increased them in faith, while they are rejoicing. But as for those in whose hearts is disease, it has only increased them in evil (in addition) to their evil. And they will have died while they are disbelievers.” (At Taubah 9:124-125)
The example of the third category of a dead heart is that of the people of the book (Jews and Christians). Majority of them rejected Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) prophet hood in spite of recognizing him as per the signs given in their own earlier divine scriptures as the final messenger. A dead heart readily refutes the truth. Allah (swt) describes them in the Quran:
“Those are the ones over whose hearts and hearing and vision Allah has sealed, and it is those who are the heedless.” (An Nahl 16:108)
Assess yourself, which category do you belong to? And make Dua for guidance and prepare an action plan for yourself to develop Qalbin Saleem and protect it from Shaitan until you meet Allah (swt).
Adapted from Ibrahim At Tuwajri’s Figh ul Quloob, taught by Safiya Khan
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