Diseases of the heart are more severe than diseases of the body, because the eventual end of bodily diseases is death—and death is an inevitable outcome. Allah the Most High said:
Everyone shall taste the death. Then unto Us you shall be returned. Al-‘Ankabut 29:57
However, diseases of the heart are more dangerous, because if they persist, then indeed the heart dies—meaning it becomes completely ruined. The possessor of such a heart may become a disbeliever, or deviated, or among the open sinners. Therefore, diseases of the heart are more severe and more dangerous for people than bodily diseases. There is no cure for diseases of the heart except through the Noble Qur’an, which Allah sent as a cure for mankind. He the Most High said:
And We send down from the Quran that which is a healing and a mercy to those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism and act on it), and it increases the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) nothing but loss. Al-Isrā’ 17:82
(Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions).
Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). Qaf 50:17-18
These angels are the keepers and protectors who remain with a person during travel and residence, in all of his states: during his prayer, his prostration, and throughout his daily life. They do not leave him except during private moments, such as when he is relieving himself. They are constantly recording a person’s words and actions.
Shaykh Fawzan’s Muhaadaraat fee al-Aqeedah wa ad-Da’wa v.1 pg.275-276
Manners with Allah include establishing His worship and obedience, glorifying Him, the Mighty and Majestic.. A person should not put himself ahead of Allah by declaring lawful what is unlawful or declaring unlawful what is lawful, or by obligating something which Allah has not obligated – among other etiquettes and manners. Similarly, a person must not disobey Allah—whether in private or in public—because whoever disobeys Him has not shown proper manners with Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.
Fath Dhee Al-Jalaal wa al-Ikraam bi Sharh Buloogh al-Maram v.15 pg.5
Ibn al-Qayyim — may Allah have mercy on him — said:
“If you reflect on the condition of most people, you will find them looking at what (they believe) is their right upon Allah, rather than looking at Allah’s right upon them.
From this perspective, they become cut off from Allah, and their hearts are veiled from truly knowing Him, loving Him, yearning to meet Him, and delighting in His remembrance.
This is the ultimate ignorance a person can have — of his Lord and of his own self.”
If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise). An-Nisa’ 4:31
Allah’s statement contains a clear indication that sins are of different types: major and minor. Whoever avoids the major sins, Allah will pardon and forgive their minor sins. This is a promise from Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala.
وَنُدۡخِلۡكُم مُّدۡخَلًا كَرِيمًا
and admit you to a Noble Entrance (i.e. Paradise). An-Nisa’ 4:31
This too is a promise from Allah. Within this verse lies a refutation of the methodology of the Khawarij and the Mu’tazilah, who claim that the perpetrator of a major sin exits the fold of Islam. In contrast, the methodology of Ahlus-Sunnah is the truth—balanced, far removed from extremism, negligence, exaggeration (ghuloo) and transgression in the religion.
Those who avoid great sins (see the Quran, Verses: 6:152, 153) and Al-Fawahish (illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) except the small faults, verily, your Lord is of vast forgiveness. An-Najm 53:32
This verse is one of the evidences that sins are categorised as major and minor.
كَبَٰٓئِرَ ٱلۡإِثۡمِ
Major sins; refers to the various acts of disobedience which reach the level of a major sin.
Al-Fawahish is the plural of Faahishah and refers to sins that are especially abhorrent and repulsive.
His statement – the Most High – إِلَّا ٱللَّمَمَۚ (except the small faults) refers to minor sins, which are expiated through various means, including:
• Abstaining from major sins, as mentioned in the verse.
• Performing the five daily prayers.
• Enduring calamities that befall a person—such as illness, disease, grief, and the loss of loved ones.
• Even something as small as a Muslim being pricked by a thorn, as is reported in the Hadith.¹
All of these affairs expiate minor sins, this is from the favours of Allah.
Additionally, He the Most High, said in another verse in Surah ash-Shoora,
Al-‘Allaamah Ibn ‘Uthaymin (رحمه الله تعالى) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“O young boy, say Bismillah, and eat with your right hand.”
Know that when manners and etiquettes are taught to a child at a young age, they are not easily forgotten. A child will not forget what you teach him while he is young. However, when he grows older, it is possible that he may forget what you taught him, or even show some resistance. But whilst he is still young, he is more likely to be responsive and accepting of what you teach him.”
It is essential that during worship, a person remains conscious that they are performing the act in pursuit of reward. When one is mindful of this, they are more likely to carry out the action in the best possible manner. Intellect naturally guides a person to understand that the reward corresponds to the quality of the deed—if it is performed well, the reward will be greater; if it is lacking, the reward will be less. I believe this is an issue many people overlook, as they fail to pay proper attention to this important aspect.
“The remembrance of Allah, the Exalted, brings relief after hardship, ease after difficulty, and joy after sorrow and worry.
It is key in relieving distress, facilitating matters, and attaining comfort and happiness in both this world and the Hereafter.
There has never been a distress that was removed, nor a hardship that was alleviated, with anything better than the remembrance of Allah — Glorified and Exalted be He.
‘There is no god but Allah, the Almighty, the Forbearing. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the Great Throne. There is no god but Allah, Lord of the heavens, Lord of the earth, and Lord of the Noble Throne.’
And he ﷺ said:
‘The supplication of Dhun-Nun [Prophet Jonah] when he called out while in the belly of the whale:
Allah has sent down the best statement, a Book (this Quran), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when they recite it or hear it). Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allah. That is the guidance of Allah. He Guides therewith whom He pleases and whomever Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. Az-Zumar 39:23
The Quran softens the heart because it is the speech of the Lord of all that exists. So, if you train yourself — and your tongue — to recite the Quran with contemplation and presence of heart, your heart will indeed become soft.
Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah) to be affected by Allah’s Reminder (this Quran), and that which has been revealed of the truth, lest they become as those who received the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] before (i.e. Jews and Christians), and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened? And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah). Al-Hadid 57:16
In the following verse, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death! Indeed We have made clear the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to you, if you but understand. Al-Hadid 57:17
The dead heart is revived through the remembrance of Allah. Do not despair. Treat your heart with the remembrance of Allah, and — by Allah’s permission — it will come back to life.
