Pearls of Islam

An article by Sheikh Jamal Shaker Abdullah

O Muslims, what does it mean to have a pure and clean heart? A pure heart is one that is free from hatred, envy and dislike towards other Muslims.

It is one of the best characteristics a person can possess. The Prophet Muhammad used to be very keen on protecting his heart and making it pure. He would say in the prayer:

“Oh Allah, I ask you to make me firm in my affairs, and upon the guidance. I ask you to help me thank you for your blessings, and to perfect my worship, and I ask you for a pure heart.”

We can see an example of how the Prophet taught his people to purify their hearts from this hatred towards others. One time a group of Muslims started fighting with each other because they were from different tribes: Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj. Some of them got up ready to fight. When the Prophet Muhammad found out, he came to them in anger and said, “Allah, Allah, oh Muslims, are you calling towards Jaahiliyyah (ignorance) while I am still among you? Do not become disbelievers after me by killing each other.” When the people heard this they cried and made up to one another. He taught the people that when the people’s hearts are pure, and they are united, they will stay far from evil and disbelief. But when the hearts are differing and are impure, people will turn to evil. The purity of our hearts is important for out deeds to be accepted The Prophet told us that our deeds are presented to Allah every Monday and Thursday, and Allah forgives people as long as they do not make partners with him.

However, if there are two people that have hatred between them, Allah say to the angels, “put a Hold (on their good deeds) for those two until they make up with each other.” So see how much you will lose on your good deeds if you keep hatred and ill feelings in your heart.

The Prophet Yusuf was a beautiful example of forgiveness. Even after his brothers threw him in the well and wished him to die, he forgave them years later and asked Allah for their forgiveness. He even made excuses for them, saying that it was the Shaytaan that had led them astray. And years before this, in mankind’s beginning, was what Adam’s son Haabeel said to this brother when he found out that Qabeel wished to kill him. He said, “If you stretch your hand to kill me, I will never extend my hand to kill you. I fear Allah, lord of the worlds.”

How many of us cannot even forgive someone just because he forgets an invitation of ours? Or because he cuts in front of us with his car? Or because he said something and we take it the wrong way? Isn’t it the sign of a beautiful heart if you say whenever you shake your brother’s hand,

“May Allah forgive you and me.” And then he intends in his heart to forgive all his friend’s short comings. May Allah give us a heart that is pure and loving and a soul that bares small wrongs and mistakes of others and forgives each other’s mistakes. For remember that when your friend comes to you with one fault, he has with him thousands of other good characteristics.