Diseases of the Heart and How to Overcome its Doubts
And (remember) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said, “My Lord! Show me how You give life to the dead.” He (Allah) said: “Do you not believe?” He [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: “Yes (I believe), but to be stronger in Faith.” He said: “Take four birds, then cause them to incline towards you (then slaughter them, cut them into pieces), and then put a portion of them on every hill, and call them, they will come to you in haste. And know that Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” — Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]:260
The story of Prophet Ibrahim Alayhis Salam is not an alien one to many of us. He’s one man, one nation who displayed extreme optimism, patience, and steadfastness. It may surprise you to know that Prophet Ibrahim Alayhis Salam who was also known as a beloved friend of his Lord had struggled with doubt of uncertainty. This is to establish to us that it’s normal to have doubts but don’t let them settle in your heart. As depicted in the verse above, it tells that Prophet Ibrahim Alayhis Salam wanted to achieve three things in order to clarify his uncertainty level:
- Ilmul Yaqeen: Have knowledge of certainty about the resurrection of life after death.
- Aynul Yaqeen: See with the eye of certainty how Allah will give life back to the dead.
- Haqqul Yaqeen: Establish tranquility at heart by ascertaining the truth of certainty.
Today, we live in a world of changes: cultural change, migration, recession, climate, and so forth. The heart itself is changing with trials of doubt causing confusion that leads people to turn apostate. Without an iota of doubt, the human heart is one that frequently changes from state to state. Today you’re a Muslim and tomorrow you could be something else. A man could wake up in the morning in a state of high super-charged eeman and by night it’s in the lowest of states.
Allah’s Apostle peace be upon him told us in the hadith of Abu Musa Al Ashaari: “The parable of the heart is that of a feather blown about by the wind of the desert.” — Sunan Ibn Mājah
Besides this level of change, the heart is also in a continuous state of fitnah. Trials, tribulations, and desires, are often presented to the heart on a frequent basis. What makes it more compelling is that we live in an era of change itself. So there’s so much access to contents as it’s never been examined before. Hence, the need to remain cautious of what you feed the subconscious mind. In addition, there’s a greater challenge awaiting us all with regard to salvation on the day of reckoning — it is meeting Allah with a sound heart that’s free from change.
This is why the Prophet Ibrahim Alayhis Salam prayed to Allah thus:
And disgrace me not on the Day when all the creatures will be resurrected. The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, except him who brings to Allah a sound heart [clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifaq (hypocrisy)]. — Qur’an 26[Ash-Shua’ra]:87–89
Having mentioned these, it is important to pay adequate attention to the matters of the heart as this is the citadel for nurturing our eeman. The doubts increases in the heart in the same way belief is strengthened right there. The heart is largely affected by two major spiritual diseases as mentioned by Imam ibnul Qayyim Al Jawzi:
- Shaawaat: The subtle desires
- Shubuhaat: The doubtful matters
The subtle desires include love of the world, women, wealth, and the lustful desires that the body yearns for. These could be seen as sins that we fall for as humans and with sincere repentance, we can earn Allah’s forgiveness. The doubtful matters on the other hand are more delicate and misleading as it affects your entire religion and belief system. Its dangers stem from the fact that it resembles the truth and those who indulge in it confuse themselves without certainty. It’s like a wolf in sheep's clothing, in fact, it is more complicated than that. When this doubt increases in the heart, you will find shreds of evidence for this ugly act and back up your arguments with conflicting proof.
Now, let’s examine how to deal with these doubts before they arise or settle in the heart.
1. Awareness: Bare in mind that there’s something called shubuhaat — doubtful matters and it requires that you pay attention to it in order to avoid it. If Prophet Ibrahim could struggle with the doubt of uncertainty and the companions of the Prophet would fear nifaq — hypocrisy like they hate to be thrown into the fire. Then, let’s not feel secure from the trial of doubts.
2. Avoidance: Don’t give any shubuhaat an attentive ear. Avoid books, forums, and videos that are flying around creating doubts in the heart. Pay less attention to gatherings where they’re discussing doubtful issues because the heart is a fragile vessel that is weak. If you’re not strong and protected by Allah’s fortress, you’d definitely fall.
3. Association: Your company matters a lot. Stick to a gathering of people of eeman who will strengthen you. Also, avoid mingling with people who will weaken your belief system as this can influence you negatively.
4. Acquisition of Knowledge: Knowing your religion is critical in times like this. Knowledge is a light that guides you whenever these doubts arise. Make a commitment to study the religion with sincerity. Find a scholar who is a dedicated student of knowledge and not the accredited ‘sheikh’ google or bing.
In addendum, it’s also important to examine how to deal with these doubts if you’re already being affected. Here are a few tips:
- Cut off the negative thoughts: Before the thought arises or goes deeper, leave it at the level of was-wasa — an insinuation. This way, you’d have no sin in sha Allah. In this hadith of Abu Hurayrah, Allah’s Apostle peace be upon him told us:
Satan will come to one of you and he will say, ‘Who created this and that?’ until he says to him, ‘Who created your Lord?’ When it comes to this, let him seek refuge in Allah and stop such thoughts. — Bukhari and Muslim
2. Develop a critical way of thought: Return back to the fitrah which is your natural way of instinctive intellectual thoughts. You don’t have to challenge everything or find a rationale behind things. Don’t make your heart a sponge that takes everything but sieve things and keep it like a crystal glass that sees through the doubts.
3. Seek help from a Specialist: This does not necessarily have to be an Imam. It could be a therapist or a counselor but preferably a Muslim who’s upon the Quran and Sunnah. That way they understand your issue and can admonish you appropriately.
And We sent not before you except men to whom We revealed [Our message]. So ask the people of the message if you do not know. — Qur’an 16[An-nahl]:43
4. Du’a It: Supplicate that Allah safeguards your eeman from this trial. This is very important because many people take this for granted. Never abandon your five daily salawaat and other acts of worship. Repent and pray that Allah forgives you and verily He’s ever forgiving and merciful to His slaves.
Allah’s Messenger peace be upon him used to supplicate: “Oh Turner of Hearts! Keep our hearts firm on your Religion. Oh Turner of Hearts! Keep our hearts firm on your path. Our Lord! Save us from trials that lead to disbelieve, polytheism and hypocrisy.”
We ask Allah — the Greatest, to increase us in steadfastness and save us from trials beyond our capacity. May our hearts never deviate after it’s been guided to the straight path. We equally ask Him to guide those struggling with the shubuhaat and return them back to the straight path. Amin!
Yaumul Jum’ah 25th Rabiul Awwal 1444H//Friday October 21st, 2022.
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