it’s diseases, their causes, symptoms, and cures · pursuit of vanity. you can’t always get...

AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE HEART IT’S DISEASES, THEIR CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND CURES

QALAM INSTITUTE PRESENTS

PRACTICAL PURIFICATION O

F THE HEART

#THEGOODLIFETHE HEART OF THE MATTER

يوم ال ينفع مال وال بنون

إال من أتى ال بقلب سليم

SURAH SHU’ARA 28:88-89

A day when money will not benefit, neither will children - except whoever comes to Allah with a “saleem" heart.

secure soundpure submitting


قلبHeart.

flipping, reversal

toppling, overthrown

center, essence


إن ف اجلسد مضغة إذا صلحت صلح اجلسد كله, وإذا فسدت فسد اجلسد كله.

أال وهي القلب“Verily, in the body there is a piece of flesh - if it’s upright, it

will rectify the body completely. And if it’s corrupt, it will corrupt the body complete - verily, it (the piece of flesh) is

the heart.”THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD, PEACE BE UPON HIM

SAHIH AL-BUKHARI 52, BOOK 2, HADITH 45


ولقد ذرأنا لجهنم كثيرا من الجن واإلنس لهم قلوب ال يفقهون بها ولهم أعني ال يبصرون بها ولهم آذان ال يسمعون بهاأولئك

كاألنعام بل هم أضل أولئك هم الغافلون“And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and

mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears

with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.”

SURAH AL-‘ARAF 7:179


THIS IS SERIOUS.

#THEGOODLIFE“CHEAP AS CHIPS”

57:24لكيال تأسوا على ما فاتكم وال تفرحوا مبا آتاكم وال ال يحب كل مختال فخور

57:25الذين يبخلون ويأمرون الناس بالبخل ومن يتول فإن ال هو الغني احلميد

57:23ما أصاب من مصيبة في األرض وال في أنفسكم إال في كتاب من قبل أن نبرأها إن ذلك على اهلل يسير

No disaster strikes upon the earth or among yourselves except that it is in a register before We bring it into being - indeed that, for Allah , is easy - In order that you not despair over what has eluded you and not exult [in pride] over what He has given you. And Allah does not like everyone self-deluded and boastful - those who are

stingy and enjoin upon people stinginess. And whoever turns away - then indeed, Allah is the Free of need, the Praiseworthy.

Explanation

Stinginess - بخل


Stinginess - بخلHadith about the stingy leader.Two kinds of stinginess - with Allah, and with others

Explanation & Causes

Causes

Intense, stubborn love of this world (temporary) over the next world.Deficiency of trust (tawakkul) that Allah will provide.


Stinginess - بخلBeing cheap in the process of charity.

Symptoms & Cures

Not paying zakat, or doing so reluctantly (compare with paying taxes or fees).

Thinking/treating of guests harshly when they damage or ruin an item in your home.

Cures

Quality of life vs. quantity in bank account.Think about how much disdain is shown to stingy people.Reflect on the generosity of Allah.

#THEGOODLIFEI DO WHAT I WANT

Disregard - بطرExplanation and Causes

وال تكونوا كالذين خرجوا من ديارهم بطرا ورئاء الناس ويصدون عن سبيلاهلل واهلل بما يعملون محيط

“And do not be like those who leave their homes batara, showing of before people and preventing others from the path

of Allah - and Allah encompasses all that they do.”

Inability to bear blessings, dislike of something undeserving of dislike, reckless extravagance, excessive mirth and exuberance.

AL-ANFAL 8:47

#THEGOODLIFEI DO WHAT I WANT

Disregard - بطرSymptoms and Cures

Usually occurs in societies with high standards of living.Keeping up with the Joneses.Ease and lack of concern with entering into debt.

Cures

Willfully limit consumption (fasting, etc).Seriously reflect about death (reflect vs. remember).

#THEGOODLIFEI CAN’T STAND THEM

Hatred - بغضExplanation, Causes, Cures

“Do you want to see a man of Paradise?”Bad hatred vs. good hatred.

Cures

Pray for the person toward whom you feel hatred.

#THEGOODLIFEYOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

Iniquity - بغيExplanation

ا أنجاهم إذا هم يبغون في األرض بغير الحق يا أيها الناس إنما بغيكم فلمعلى أنفسكم متاع الحياة الدنيا ثم إلينا مرجعكم فننبئكم بما كنتم تعملون

“But He saves them, at once they commit injustice upon the earth without right. O mankind, your injustice

is only against yourselves - just for the enjoyment of worldly life. Then to Us is your return, and We will

inform you of what you used to do.”YUNUS 10:23


Iniquity - بغيExplanation and Causes

Harming anything in creation without just cause.Desiring something to the point of transgressing the rights of others to attain it.

CausesPower, position.Love of, and dedication to, this world.Pursuit of vanity.


Iniquity - بغيCures

Remembrance of death.“What Allah has written for me…”Avoiding taking power.*“Certainty in the ultimate destiny of humanity.”“If you desire immortal glory, seek glory in the Immortal!”

#THEGOODLIFEIT CAN BE FOR YOU, OR AGAINST YOU

Love of The World - حب الدنياExplanation

Falls under the five categories of classic legal rulings:

wajib mustahhab mubah makruh haram

وسخر لكم ما ف السماوات وما ف األرض جميعا منه

لك آليات لقوم يتفكرون إن ف ذ

“And He has subjected for you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth - all from Him. Indeed in that

are signs for a people who give thought.”JATHIYAH 45:13


Love of The World - حب الدنياCauses and Symptoms

It’s natural - just run it through the filter.

What is censured is (1) loving things that are sinful/lead to sinful matters, or (2) when permissible things become obstacles on the path to Allah.

Preference of temporary to eternal.*Symptoms

Harming/oppressing others for worldly benefit.Love of praise, particularly for something one has not done.


Love of The World - حب الدنياCures

“The world is a bridge…don’t build on it.”

Evaluate what you love - reflect and ponder the effects.

Urgency of actions are an instant test of love.

Give gifts, donate charity. When you feel you don’t want to…

تهادوا حتابوا“Give gifts, you will love one another!”

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD, PEACE BE UPON HIM ARBAIN OF SHAH WALIULLAH

#THEGOODLIFEWHY DO THEY HAVE THAT?

Envy - حسدExplanation

رناكم ثم قلنا للمالئكة اسجدوا آلدم فسجدوا إال ولقد خلقناكم ثم صواجدين إبليس لم يكن من الس

نه خلقتني من نار قال ما منعك أال تسجد إذ أمرتك قال أنا خير موخلقته من طني

7:11

7:12

“And We have certainly created you, and given you form. Then We said to the angels, "Prostrate to Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He was not of those who prostrated. [Allah] said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" [Satan] said, "I am better than him.

You created me from fire and created him from clay."A’RAF 7:11-12



“Envy consumes good deeds the way that fire consumes dry wood.”

“Creeping upon you is the disease of the peoples before you: envy and hatred. And the hatred is the thing that shaves. I do not say it

shaves hair, but it shaves the religion. By the One in whose hand is my soul – or he said: by the One in whose hand is the soul of

Muhammad – you will not enter Paradise until you believe. And you do not believe until you love one another. Certainly, let me inform you of that will establish such for you: spreading the greetings (of peace)

among yourselves.”

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD, PEACE BE UPON HIM ON THE AUTHORITY OF ABU HURAYRAH, NARRATED BY ABU DAWUD

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD, PEACE BE UPON HIM NARRATED BY IMAM AHMAD (R)



What is the difference between envy &

jealousy?


Envy - حسدCauses and Symptoms

Has their eye on other people.

Displeased with the situation that Allah has given them.

Vying for the attention or love of others.

SymptomsAlways find their eyes looking at others’ things - and heart focused on their things, as well.“Unable to let good things be said about a person.”“Shutting down” or feeling sad when good happens to others.

Low self-esteem.


Envy - حسدCures

Being mindful of yourself - self-awareness is key!

Stand directly in opposition of your envy.

Reflect on Allah’s wisdom in bestowing His blessings.

Realize that envy only brings harm to your self, no one else.

Do something that will benefit the envied.

#THEGOODLIFESEE WRONG? FIX IT.

Blameworthy ModestyExplanation and Causes

Virtuous modesty is rooted in generosity, shyness and kindness - default of modesty.Blameworthy modesty is rooted in concern for image, position of power, and shame to do what’s right.

“[Believers], when you are invited, then enter. And when you have completed the meal, disperse, and do not linger on for

conversation. This used to hurt the Prophet, but he shied away from [telling] you. But God is not shy of the truth”

AL-AHZAB 33:53

#THEGOODLIFEALWAYS CHECKING BANK ACCOUNTS?

Fear Of PovertyExplanation and Causes

غفرة يطان يعدكم الفقر ويأمركم بالفحشاء واهلل يعدكم م الشنه وفضال واهلل واسع عليم م

“Satan threatens you with poverty, and he commands you to immorality. But God promises you His forgiveness and bounty,

and Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing.”BAQARAH 2:268

Love of this world, clinging to wealth, lack of charity.Causes

Believing that you are the source of sustenance.

#THEGOODLIFEALWAYS CHECKING BANK ACCOUNTS?

Fear Of PovertySymptoms and Cures

Give gifts, donate money. Separate from your wealth.Cures

Constantly concerned about money, dictating mood.Transgressing laws of Allah, being lewd, just to gain profit.Becoming bogged-down by hypotheticals.

Reflect on times that Allah has sustained you. Be content.What do you value? Bank account = what you worship.

#THEGOODLIFEHEY, LOOK AT ME

Ostentation - رياءExplanation and Causes

“I don’t fear that you will worship the sun, the stars, and the moon, but I fear that you will worship other than God through riya`.”

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD, PEACE BE UPON HIM

أرأيت الذي يكذب بالدين فذلك الذي يدع اليتيم

وال يحض على طعام املسكني فويل للمصلني

الذين هم عن صالتهم ساهون الذين هم يراءونويمنعون املاعون

Have you seen those who deny the Day of Judgment?

For that is the one who repels the orphan

And does not encourage feeding the poor

So woe to those who pray -

Those who are, in fact, heedless of prayer

Those who are/want to be seen

And withhold assistanceMA’UN - 107:1-7


Ostentation - رياءExplanation, Causes, and Symptoms

Doing acts for purposes that lead to other than Allah.

Intense desire to please others - more than pleasing Allah.

Symptoms

Laziness to do good/acts of worship when alone.Lack of action in the absence of people.

Increasing one’s action when one is praised, decreasing when praise is removed.


Ostentation - رياءCures

Removing love of praise.

Removing fear of blame.

Removing desire for worldly benefit from people.

Removing fear of harm from people.]

Certainty that only God controls benefit and harm.


Ostentation - رياءCures

Rush to do good deeds when you’re alone.

Do more good in private than in public.

Have certain deeds that you tell absolutely no one.

Allow your praise to pass you by without claiming it.

#THEGOODLIFEI DON’T DESERVE THIS

Displeasure with DecreeExplanation

وعسى أن تكرهوا شيئا وهو خير لكم وعسى أن تحبوا شيئاوهو شر لكم واهلل يعلم وأنتم ال تعلمون

“…and it may be that you dislike something, though it is good for you. And it may be that you love something, though

it is bad for you. And God knows, and you do not know”BAQARAH 2:216


Displeasure with DecreeCauses, Symptoms, and Cures

Misunderstanding the nature of the world - who is in control?De-valuing our responses in trials (learned helplessness).A deficiency in sabr - patience vs. perseverance?*

Symptoms

Being hyper-cynical, perpetually negative.Not displeased with the results, but with the source.


Displeasure with DecreeCures

Life between four occurrences and results:

Blessings Tribulations Obedience DisobediencePerform acts of

worship - obligatory and

extra acts

Sabr - patiently persevering,

with a “beautiful patience.”

Recognize that it is a blessing from Allah.

Beware of self-righteousness.

Tawbah - sincerely

repenting to Allah and

returning to Him.

Ibn ʿAbbās said that if a person is tested with a tribulation, he will find in it three blessings: firstly, the tribulation could have been worse; secondly, it was in worldly matters and not in spiritual ones; and thirdly, it came in the finite world and not the

infinite one. All these are reasons to thank God even for tribulations.

#THEGOODLIFEMAYBE, JUST MAYBE

False HopesExplanation

Having good hopes in Allah vs. false hopes.

قل يا عبادي الذين أسرفوا على أنفسهم ال تقنطوا من رحمة اهلل إن اهلليغفر الذنوب جميعا إنه هو الغفور الرحيم

“Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah

forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."ZUMAR 39:53

Hoping for a long life, living like we’ve got short ones.

#THEGOODLIFEMAYBE, JUST MAYBE

False HopesCauses, Symptoms, and Cures

Investing all of your energy and emotion in the present.“Alas, a ship does not sail on dry land.”

Symptoms

Hoping and dreaming without planning.Skipping obligations and responsibilities, assuming that you have a long life ahead of you.

Cures

Reflect on quality of your repentance - basis of acceptance.

#THEGOODLIFEDID YOU HEAR WHAT THEY DID?

Negative SuspicionExplanation

سوا يا أيها الذين آمنوا اجتنبوا كثيرا من الظن إن بعض الظن إثم وال تجس وال يغتب بعضكم بعضا أيحب أحدكم أن يأكل لحم أخيه ميتا فكرهتموه

واتقوا اهلل إن اهلل تواب رحيم

“OH you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah

; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.”HUJURAAT 49:12

#THEGOODLIFEDID YOU HEAR WHAT THEY DID?

Negative SuspicionCauses, Symptoms, and Cures

Intimately linked to jealousy.Internal weaknesses - projecting instead of introspecting.

Symptoms

Always assuming the worst of people - think public.The topic of conversations tend to revolve around people.

CuresPraising the person who is suspected.Seeking forgiveness from the transgressed.Empathy - how many times have you been “judged?”

#THEGOODLIFECHECK ME OUT

Vanity - عجبExplanation

ن خلقي نت خلقي ، فحس اللهم كما حس“Oh Allah, just as you’ve beautified my being,

please beautify my character.”DUA OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW]

“When a person rejoices in their blessings, whilst forgetting The Source of their blessings.”

IMAM MAWLUD [R]

#THEGOODLIFE

Causes, Symptoms, and Cures

Allah, alone, is The Capable.We, without Allah, are utterly incapable.

Symptoms

Trying to display the temporary, as though it will last.Being impressed with yourself without acknowledging Allah.

CuresReflect on the people of the past - their highs and lows.Give credit to The Source - recognize our incapability.Don’t indulge your self with vain behaviors.

#THEGOODLIFECHECK ME OUT

Vanity - عجب

#THEGOODLIFEIT’S NO BIG DEAL

Fraud - غشExplanation

من غشنا فليس منا“Whosoever deceives us is not from amongst us.”

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW] NARRATED BY ABU HURAYRAH

“There are three whom I will oppose on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gave his word then betrayed; a man who sold a free man into slavery and kept the money; and a man

who hired someone, benefited from his labour, then did not pay his wages.”THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW]

SAHIH BUKHARI

“There are four features, whoever has all of them is a true hypocrite and whoever has one of them has one of the qualities of a hypocrite until he gives it up: when he is trusted, he is unfaithful; when he speaks he tells lies; when he makes a promise, he proves treacherous; and when he disputes,

he resorts to slander.” THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW] SAHIH BUKHARI & MUSLIM

#THEGOODLIFEIT’S NO BIG DEAL

Fraud - غشCauses, Symptoms, and Cures

Deficiency in Taqwa.Placing material success at the highest level of priority.

Symptoms

Rationalizing dishonesty.Abusing the privilege of being trusted, without remorse.

CuresPonder and reflect deeply on having taqwa.Humanize those that are being abused.

#THEGOODLIFEI’M SO UPSET RIGHT NOW

Anger - غضبExplanation

“Do not get angry.”

خواننا الذين سبقونا والذين جاءوا من بعدهم يقولون ربنا اغفر لنا وإليمان وال تجعل في قلوبنا غال للذين آمنوا ربنا إنك رءوف رحيم باإل

“And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying, "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed.

Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful."

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW] SAHIH BUKHARI

HASHR 59:10

#THEGOODLIFEI’M SO UPSET RIGHT NOW

Anger - غضبCauses, Symptoms, and Cures

“The swelling ocean of all diseases.”“I am a human being, and I become angry like you.”

Symptoms

A feeling of consumption, becoming fixated on the object.Usually includes a rash response - verbal, or active.

CuresRemember the goodness of forbearance and humility.Three step process.

The inflation of the ego.

#THEGOODLIFETHE FATAL FLAW

Boasting & Arrogance - كبرExplanation

“Assuredly, Allah knows what they conceal and what they declare. Indeed, He does not like the arrogant.”

NAHL 16:23

“I am the son of so-and-so!”JAHILI ARABS BEFORE ISLAM

ون وما يعلنون إنه ال يحب املستكبرين ال جرم أن اهلل يعلم ما يسر

“No one who has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will enter Paradise.”

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW] NARRATED BY ABDULLAH BIN MAS’OOD IN SAHIH MUSLIM

#THEGOODLIFETHE FATAL FLAW

Boasting & Arrogance - كبرCauses, Symptoms, and Cures

When a person deems his or herself superior to others.Displaying contempt or scorn for others.

Symptoms

Critical of everyone else, while taking excuses for yourself.Being judgmental and having a feeling of superiority.

CuresRemember your origins, weaknesses, and inevitable return.Realize what you’re losing - arrogant cannot be humble.

Pride in lineage and ethnicity.

#THEGOODLIFEIT’S NOT MY FAULT!

Displeasure with BlameExplanation

BAQARAH 2:143

“Oh Allah, I complain to you about my weakness!THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW]

DUA AT TA`IF

ة وسطا لتكونوا شهداء على الناس وكذلك جعلناكم أم“And thus we have made you a just community that you will be

witnesses over the people…”

ال إله إال أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظاملني

ANBIYA 21:87

“There is nothing worthy of worship except You - Glory be to You! Indeed I have been of the wrongdoers.”

#THEGOODLIFEIT’S NOT MY FAULT!

Displeasure with Blame

Being more concerned with opinions of others over Allah.Symptoms

Feeling intense displeasure at criticism. Rationalizing.*Always putting others before yourself when identifying fault.

CuresReflect on a defining quality of the Prophets.Understand that this is a gate to sincerity.


#THEGOODLIFENEVER GONNA LET YOU GO

Antipathy Toward DeathExplanation

JUMU’AH 62:8

“Remember often the destroyer of pleasures.”

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW] DUA AT TA`IF

Say, "Indeed, the death from which you flee - indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you

about what you used to do."

ون منه فإنه مالقيكم ثم تردون إلى عالم الغيب قل إن املوت الذي تفرهادة فينبئكم بما كنتم تعملون والش

#THEGOODLIFE

A strong aversion to death - mentioning causes distress.

Symptoms

Feeling annoyed at the mention of death or the afterlife.Not feeling motivated at the remembrance of death.

CuresAnything with a finite availability is scarce.Work on being content with what you have, not wanting to attain more.


Antipathy Toward DeathNEVER GONNA LET YOU GO

Denial of reality.

#THEGOODLIFEWAIT, I HAVE THAT TOO?

Obliviousness to BlessingsExplanation

NAHL 16:53

“And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allah . Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help.”

ر فإليه تجأرون كم الض وما بكم من نعمة فمن اهلل ثم إذا مس

ا رآه قال الذي عنده علم من الكتاب أنا آتيك به قبل أن يرتد إليك طرفك فلمذا من فضل ربي ليبلوني أأشكر أم أكفر ومن شكر فإنما مستقرا عنده قال ه

يشكر لنفسه ومن كفر فإن ربي غني كريمSaid one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you." And when [Solomon] saw it placed before him, he said, "This is from the

favor of my Lord to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. And whoever is grateful - his gratitude is only for [the benefit of] himself. And whoever is ungrateful - then

indeed, my Lord is Free of need and Generous."NAML 27:40

#THEGOODLIFEWAIT, I HAVE THAT TOO?

Obliviousness to BlessingsExplanation

IBRAHIM 14:34

And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you should count the favor of Allah , you could not enumerate

them. Indeed, mankind is [generally] most unjust and ungrateful.

إن تعدوا نعمت اهلل ال وآتاكم من كل ما سألتموه ونسان لظلوم كفار تحصوها إن اإل

#THEGOODLIFE

Lack of attentiveness to the reality of life.

Symptoms

Constantly complaining about the status of life.Often will see the bad in a situation before the good.

Cures“Do you know what the completion of a blessing is?”


Not viewing the world with the “lens” of Rahman.

Obliviousness to BlessingsWAIT, I HAVE THAT TOO?

Finding happiness only in new material gains.

#THEGOODLIFETHE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM

The Root of All DiseasesExplanation

LUQMAN 31:16

[And Luqman said], "O my son, indeed if wrong should be the weight of a mustard seed and should be within a rock or [anywhere] in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it

forth. Indeed, Allah is Subtle and Acquainted.

يا بني إنها إن تك مثقال حبة من خردل فتكن في صخرة أوماوات أو في األرض يأت بها اهلل إن اهلل لطيف خبير في الس

#THEGOODLIFE

“Being satisfied with your self.”

Symptoms

Preferring this world to the next.Feeling overwhelming confidence that you’re “fine.”

Cures“A person’s character is that of the company they keep.”


Primary love of this world.

Working to grow in dunya, but neglecting deen.

The Root of All DiseasesTHE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM

Remember Allah, focus, make dua, and constant tawbah.

#THEGOODLIFEMULTIVITAMIN FOR THE HEART

Comprehensive TreatmentA comprehensive treatment plan for the heart’s diseases is to deny the self of its desires, Enjoin hunger, keep worship vigilance in the night, be silent, and meditate in private; Also keep company with

good people who possess sincerity, those who are emulated in their states and statements; And, finally, take refuge in the One unto whom

all affairs return. That is the most beneficial treatment for all of the previous diseases. This must be to the point in which you are like a

man drowning or someone lost in a barren desert and see no source of succor Except from the Guardian, possessor of the greatest power.

He is the One who responds to the call of the distressed.

it’s diseases, their causes, symptoms, and cures · pursuit of vanity. you can’t always get...

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