Heart
“Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
— (Quran 13:28)
Heart: The Spiritual Guide on Our Journey
As we’ve established, the body is like a car, and the mind functions as the dashboard, directing us along the way. Today, we shift focus to the heart.
Heart as the Spiritual Engine
Consider the heart from two perspectives. Physically, it powers the body, acting as an engine. But spiritually, the heart is far more than a muscle; it’s the seat of our emotions, the essence of our feelings. Where the mind handles our thoughts, the spiritual heart holds our emotional landscape.
Heart as Guiding Light
In the journey of life, the spiritual heart filled with Iman (faith) becomes our guiding light. In our car analogy, it’s the headlights—lighting the road ahead. Without this light, we’d navigate in darkness, battling uncertainty and fear. But with Iman, we see the path clearly. We need to make sure to keep it clean.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “Surely, when the servant commits a sin, a black dot appears on his heart. If he repents from it, his heart is polished clean. However, if he increases in the sin, the blackness continues to increase.”
Spiritual Heart filled with Iman only illuminates our Path. It is still on us, to make the move. This is where Soul comes in. For now, remember that a heart rooted in Iman is our guiding light.
Communication and Connection
The mind governs self-dialogue, but the heart shapes our communication with others. A healthy heart recognizes that everyone is on their own journey; it doesn’t compete or undermine others. Competition driven by envy or superiority signals a heart in need of healing. A pure heart sees others as fellow travelers, uplifting them whenever possible. Most importantly, it remains focused on Allah as the ultimate destination, striving to stay connected to Him and purifying itself along the way.
The Role of a Healthy Heart
A heart aligned with Allah understands its purpose—to embody sincerity, compassion, and kindness. It knows that each person is seeking purpose and fulfillment, that we’re all travelers on the same road. This heart resists arrogance or envy and finds joy in helping others grow.
By keeping its focus on Allah, a healthy heart remains pure and open, a source of strength and light for both itself and others.
Without Iman, our journey grows dark and uncertain. A heart filled with faith, however, illuminates our path, giving us the clarity and direction to walk toward Allah. To succeed on this journey, we must fill our hearts with faith and trust in Allah, letting His light be our guide. A healthy heart constantly aligns itself with Allah, avoiding the distractions that would pull it off course.
Keeping up with the Joneses
It is an expression that describes the act of comparing oneself to others, particularly in terms of material possessions, social status, or lifestyle. It reflects the desire to match or surpass one’s neighbors, friends, or peers in outward signs of success and wealth.
In a way, it exactly describes my lifestyle since I came to Denmark in 2003 for the next 10 years. First I finished my studies and started working. Then got married. Then moved a larger apartment. It turned into a house. Then we got a car. Then we I moved to another job. You got the point.
After a while, I got bored. In the end, I didn’t need 50 cars or 10 houses. There was always someon who got a better car or a better house. How long was I supposed to play this game?
Like everyone, I’ve compared myself to others—thinking about who has more, who seems better. These comparisons introduce negative emotions like envy, jealousy and so much more.
On the other hand, I was also soul searching at the same time. Alhamdulillah, I was guided back to Islam. I came accross this verse in the Quran:
˹Some of˺ the nomadic Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “You have not believed. But say, ‘We have submitted,’ for faith has not yet entered your hearts. But if you obey Allah and His Messenger ˹wholeheartedly˺, He will not discount anything from ˹the reward of˺ your deeds. Allah is truly All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
–Quran, 49:14
Faith Beyond Words
This verse speaks to the heart of what it means to be Muslim. It’s about more than just saying “I believe” or “I’m a Muslim”—it’s about living it, feeling it, embodying it. Allah addresses a group of Bedouins who came to the Prophet ﷺ and claimed, “We have believed.” But Allah corrects them, saying they haven’t truly believed yet. Instead, they should say, “We have submitted.” Why? Because Iman—true faith—hasn’t yet entered their hearts.
The Difference Between Submission and Faith
Here, Allah shows us the difference between Islam and Iman. Islam is the outward act of submitting to Allah’s commands—praying, fasting, following the rules. But Iman is something deeper; it’s when that belief becomes part of your heart, something you feel and carry with you. Iman goes beyond the surface. It changes how you see the world, how you respond to others, and how you handle challenges.
The Journey to True Faith
Allah SWT acknowledges that faith doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s a journey. Sometimes we start by doing the outward actions, by submitting. But over time, through consistency and sincere effort, we begin to feel that connection to Allah deeply. The heart starts to wake up, and that’s when true Iman begins to grow.
Obedience as the Path to Faith
Allah continues, “If you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not deprive you from your deeds of anything.” This is a reminder that even if your faith isn’t fully developed yet, your efforts still count. Keep obeying, keep striving. Through obedience and dedication, you can nurture that faith and move closer to Allah. Every small act of sincerity is valued, and none of it goes unnoticed.
Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy
Finally, Allah reassures us: “Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” He understands that we’re all at different stages of our journey. He knows faith is a process, and He’s willing to forgive and show mercy as we grow. The doors are open for those who are still finding their way.
The Takeaway
Faith isn’t just words; it’s a journey of the heart. You may start by outwardly submitting, by showing up and doing the actions. But over time, if you stay committed, something beautiful begins to take root within you. Iman grows, transforms, and lights up your path. Remember, Allah values every step you take towards Him, and His mercy is always there, embracing you as you go.
Discovering the Power of Allah’s Names
One of the things helped me a lot during that time was learning Allah’s Names.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
“Allah has ninety-nine names; whoever memorizes them will enter Paradise.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)
This hadith is more than just a promise of Paradise. It’s an invitation to know Allah on a deeper level, because knowing Him changes everything—including how we handle our emotions.
As I began my journey of learning the 99 names of Allah SWT, I uncovered a powerful truth: at the root of every negative emotion, there’s a misconception about who Allah truly is. It’s like a veil that clouds our understanding, keeping us stuck in feelings that don’t serve us.
Take envy, for example. When we feel envious, we’re essentially unhappy that someone else has something we want. But what does that reveal about our belief? Envy implies a lack of trust in Allah as Ar-Razzaq, the Provider. It suggests we think Allah hasn’t given us what we deserve, or that He’s limited in what He can provide. But Allah’s blessings are limitless, and He distributes them with wisdom and justice. Understanding Allah as Ar-Razzaq helps us let go of envy and trust that He has provided us exactly what’s right for us at this moment.
Or consider jealousy, where we fear someone else might take something that’s meant for us. Here, there’s a missed understanding of Allah as Al-Wakeel, the Ultimate Trustee. Allah is in control, and He guards what’s meant for us. When we truly believe in Al-Wakeel, we realize that no one can take away what Allah has decreed for us. This belief dismantles jealousy at its core.
Learning these names has been transformative. Each name of Allah reveals an aspect of Him that speaks directly to the emotions we struggle with. Every negative feeling—whether it’s fear, doubt, resentment, or disappointment—has its roots in a misunderstanding of who Allah is. As I grww in knowing Him through His names, those misconceptions faded, and my heart found peace. It’s not an overnight change, but with every name I learned, I felt the burden of negativity lifting, replaced by a deeper trust and serenity. I strongly suggest you start learning and living Allah’s Names as well.
Competing with Myself, Not Others
As I continued learning the 99 names of Allah SWT, I realized something transformative: knowing Allah isn’t just about theology or memorization—it’s about reshaping how I see myself and my journey. This understanding brought me to a crucial insight: on this Path, my only competition is who I was yesterday, not anyone else.
Knowing Allah’s names taught me that every blessing, every provision, every success in this life comes from Him alone. When I truly understand Ar-Razzaq (The Provider), I don’t feel the need to measure myself against someone else’s success or wealth. Allah has written my sustenance, my opportunities, and my trials just as He has done for everyone else. My focus shifted from comparing my path to someone else’s to nurturing my own unique journey, rooted in gratitude and acceptance.
When I reflect on Al-Adl (The Just), I’m reminded that Allah’s wisdom is beyond human understanding. He has created each of us with a unique purpose, and His distribution of strengths, opportunities, and challenges is perfectly just. This understanding freed me from the cycle of comparison. Instead of asking, “Why don’t I have what they have?” I started asking, “How can I make the most of what Allah has given me?” Each day became an opportunity to improve upon who I was yesterday, to take one more step closer to Allah.
Understanding Allah as Al-Hadi (The Guide) also taught me to trust my unique path and timing. I don’t have to look at others and wonder if I’m “falling behind.” Allah is guiding me on my journey, step by step, according to His perfect plan. Instead of racing against others, I find myself striving to be more patient, more grateful, more sincere than I was the day before.
This mindset transformed my perspective on self-growth. Learning Allah’s names wasn’t just about memorizing words—it was about internalizing His attributes and letting them guide my actions and emotions. It turned the Path into a personal journey of growth, where I’m not trying to “catch up” or “keep up” with anyone. I’m simply trying to become a better version of myself, day by day, step by step, guided by the light of His names and attributes.
On this path, my only competition is yesterday’s self, and my greatest goal is drawing closer to Allah through the lessons embedded in His beautiful names. And ask the question “How is my Lord going to pull me towards Himself today?”
Relationship with Others
Our hearts are also the source of our relationships with others. A purified heart is one that fosters good relations, filled with compassion, empathy, and forgiveness. On the other hand, a heart weighed down by jealousy, resentment, or arrogance damages not just the individual but the community around them.
Heart Taqwa
Just as the mind can have taqwa (God-consciousness), so too can the heart. A heart filled with taqwa is always aware of Allah’s presence, even in the most challenging situations. It remains soft, humble, and receptive to the truth. A heart that has taqwa trusts in Allah’s plan and avoids becoming hard or desensitized by worldly concerns.
Focusing on the Heart’s Journey
As we conclude this chapter, let’s pause and reflect on the heart’s true purpose as our guiding light. A healthy spiritual heart isn’t just a source of emotion—it’s the compass that keeps us aligned on this journey toward Allah. When filled with the love of Allah, the heart naturally radiates love and empathy for His creation. This love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a way of being. It’s seeing others not as rivals but as companions on their own paths, with their own struggles and blessings, all crafted by the same Merciful Creator.
A heart connected to Allah doesn’t waste energy on competing with others. Instead, it focuses on improving itself, one day at a time, learning from yesterday’s missteps, and setting intentions for today’s growth. When we let go of comparison, we free ourselves from the distractions that pull us away from our true purpose. A heart rooted in Iman and guided by Ihsan—striving for excellence with sincerity—sees only one goal: coming closer to Allah with each step.
In this journey, a heart filled with faith and compassion becomes a bright headlight on the dark path of life. It helps us see beyond immediate obstacles, guiding us through challenges with patience and resilience. It reminds us to prioritize what truly matters—our relationship with Allah and our duty to uplift others.
So, as we move forward, let us nurture this heart, keeping it pure, humble, and aligned with our purpose. Let it be a source of kindness and strength, always focused on drawing nearer to Allah, step by step, day by day. And may this journey, illuminated by a heart of faith, be a witness to our sincere effort to reach Him.
Questions
- Mindset: What thoughts occupy your heart the most? Are they beneficial or harmful?
- Motivation: Why do you desire a pure heart? What does a peaceful heart mean for you?
- Methods: What actions can you take to cleanse your heart and nurture it with love, gratitude, and sincerity?
Methods
One of the most effective methods to purify the heart is engaging in dhikr (remembrance of Allah). The more you remember Allah, the softer and more aware your heart becomes. Another method is practicing forgiveness. Holding grudges or ill feelings can harden the heart, so letting go and forgiving others frees the heart from negativity.
Goals:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how you evaluate your Heart?
What are your Heart goals to achieve 10?
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Beliefs:
What are your beliefs about your Heart?
What is holding you back to achieve 10 out of 10?
Are you competing with others or yourself?
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Motivation:
Why does it matter to achieve these goals?
What happens if you do? What happens if you don’t?
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Methods:
What is your plan to achieve your Heart goals?
What simple steps can you take today?
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Dua
O Allah, turner of hearts, purify our hearts from envy, hatred, and arrogance. Fill our hearts with Your love, gratitude, and humility. Make our hearts soft and receptive to Your guidance and firm in Your Deen, and help us foster good relationships with others. Ameen.