How to Protect Your Heart From Silent Killers That Lead To Destruction
But No! Their hearts have been stained by all the evil they used to commit! — Qur’an 83[Al-Mutaffifin]:14
In the spiritual realm, the heart is a creation of Allah, an organ encapsulated in the human body which many fail to understand its functionality beyond being the mitochondrion of the circulatory system. The human heart is often likened to a fortress — a stronghold of belief, fortified by faith and experiences over time.
Yet, despite its strength, this heart is also a delicate vessel, susceptible to the influences it is exposed to. As Muslims, understanding the dual nature of the heart can help us appreciate its resilience and vulnerability, guiding us in nurturing and protecting it.
Imagine a serene, vibrant garden brimming with life, color, and fragrance. Now, picture what happens when toxins infiltrate this sanctuary. The flowers wither, the vibrant colors fade, and the once harmonious symphony of nature turns into a dismal silence. In much the same way, the heart, which serves as our spiritual core can be tainted by certain destructive elements, leading to its eventual decay.
This is why the renowned Islamic scholar Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyya identified five elements that can silently destroy the heart. In this piece, we want to embark on a journey to explore these silent killers and learn how to protect our heart which serves as the bedrock of our spiritual well-being. These are the five silent killers that destroy the heart and how you can practically strive against them.
1. Associating Partners with Allah — Ash-Shirk:
In Islam, the gravest sin is Shirk! This is like a potent poison for the heart. It involves attributing partners to Allah in worship, belief, or attributes. It is the opposite of At-Tauhid which is the essence of the Islamic faith — monotheism. When this core principle is compromised, it corrupts the foundation of a believer’s relationship with his Creator. Shirk is not just an outward act; it can subtly creep into our intentions and beliefs — Ar-Riyyah, diluting our pure devotion to Allah. It’s crucial to remain vigilant and regularly renew our commitment to monotheism, ensuring that our worship is directed solely towards Allah.
- Protection Strategy: Deepen your knowledge of Allah and understanding of Tauhid by knowing who your Lord is and submitting unto Him Alone. Ensure that all your acts of worship, such as prayer, sacrifice, and supplication, are performed with sincerity solely to please Allah. In addition, avoid superstitious practices that involve seeking help or blessings from anyone other than Allah.
2. Persistent Sinning:
Imagine a stream that gets polluted over time by a continuous trickle of waste. Persistent sinning works similarly on the heart the same way. Repeatedly engaging in sinful behavior hardens the heart, creating a barrier between you and the mercy of Allah. Whether it’s major sins or minor ones done habitually without repentance, each act leaves a stain.
Abu Hurairah narrates that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “Surely, when the servant sins, a black dot appears on his heart. If he repents from it, his heart is polished clean. However, if he increases in sin, the blackness continues to increase. That is the statement of Allah: كَلَّا ۖ بَلْ ۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِم
‘No! But that which they used to commit has covered their hearts with rust. [ 83:14] — Tirmidhi
- Protection Strategy: Ibnul Qayyim advises regular self-reflection and sincere repentance to cleanse the heart and keep it receptive to divine guidance. Take time daily to reflect on your actions and identify any sinful behavior. As Umar ibn Khattab would say: ‘Hold yourself accountable before you're held to account on the day of accountability’. In addition, always seek forgiveness from Allah, make a genuine effort to repent, and avoid repeating sins.
3. Excessive Indulgence in Permissible Things:
In our pursuit of worldly comforts, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overindulgence. Even permissible things, when indulged in excessively, can distract us from our spiritual goals. Think of it as overeating at a feast; what starts as nourishment turns into discomfort and sluggishness. Overindulgence in food, entertainment, or any form of luxury can lead to spiritual lethargy. It’s essential to maintain a balance, enjoying the blessings of Allah in moderation while keeping our hearts focused on our ultimate purpose — worship.
- Protection Strategy: Be mindful of the balance between enjoying permissible pleasures and maintaining spiritual discipline. In addition, keep up with your daily acts of worship, such as prayer and recitation of the Qur’an, to keep your heart connected to Allah. Finally, embrace a simple lifestyle to reduce attachment to worldly comforts.
4. Attachment to Other Than Allah:
Attachment is such a powerful force! If directed towards Allah, it elevates you; when directed elsewhere, it can lead to spiritual downfall. For this reason, Imam Ibnul Qayyim Al-Jawziyya warns against developing attachments to anything other than Allah, be it people, wealth, or status. Such attachments can overshadow our devotion and reliance on Allah, making us more vulnerable to despair and disappointment. To cultivate a heart that is truly connected to Allah, we must strive to center our love, hope, fear, and trust in Him Alone.
- Protection Strategy: Know, that Allah is the ultimate source of all help and support. Set spiritual goals that keep you focused on pleasing Allah rather than seeking worldly approval. Remember the words of Allah’s Apostle ﷺ to his cousin Abdullah ibn Abass as a young man thus:
…Know that if the nations gathered together to benefit you, they could not benefit you unless Allah has decreed it for you. And if the nations gathered together to harm you, they could not harm you unless Allah has decreed it for you… — Tirmidhi
5. Prolonged Hopes:
We all have dreams and aspirations, but when these hopes become excessively long and unrealistic, they can steer us away from our spiritual path. Many of us think we’re too young to die or we lie to ourselves that we still have time to enjoy life and later on we shall repent and do good deeds before death comes. Prolonged hopes will make you procrastinate in performing good deeds, just like we learned from the story of Ka’b ibn Malik. This distraction often leads to negligence of our duties towards Allah and a false sense of security about the time we have.
Protection Strategy: Ibnul Qayyim encourages living with a sense of urgency in our spiritual lives, focusing on the Hereafter and making the most of our present moments. Regularly remind yourself of the transient nature of this life and the certainty of death to stay motivated in your spiritual pursuits. He also mentioned in his book Al-Fawaaid:
The two things that kill the heart are incessant hope and waste of time. Wasting time is worse than death because death separates you from this world, whereas time wastage separates you from Allah.
The heart, like a garden, requires constant care and vigilance. By avoiding these silent killers identified by Ibnul Qayyim, we can nurture a heart that is vibrant, pure, and closely connected to Allah. Regular self-reflection, sincere repentance, moderation in all things, exclusive devotion to Allah, and living with a balanced perspective on our hopes and aspirations are keys to maintaining a healthy spiritual heart.
The Muslim heart, with its strong threshold for belief, is a testament to the power of faith. Yet, it remains a delicate vessel, needing constant care and protection. As we navigate the challenges of life, let us strive to protect our hearts from these silent destroyers. Let us strive to keep our spiritual core a sanctuary of faith, love, and divine connection. If we do this diligently in sha Allah, we may be among those whom Allah will say to them:
O, tranquil soul! Return to your Lord, well pleased with Him and well-pleasing to Him. Enter you then among My honored slaves, And enter you My Paradise! — Qur’an 89[Al-Fajr]:27–30
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Yaumul Jumah 23rd Dhul Qadah 1445H // Friday 31st May 2024
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