The Purity Of Heart -Why Do We Not Experience the Sweetness of Iman and Worship?

 

Many of us exert ourselves in acts of worship, and yet do not experience this sweetness and happiness. One of the primary reasons is that we focus solely on the outer physical actions, and we do not give sufficient attention to the core of the worship: the inner state of the heart, which accompanies it. Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) writes, “You may find a person who fasts, prays, does dhikr and recites Qur’ān abundantly, but nothing from his actions reaches his heart: no fear, no hope, no love, no conviction in Allah and no happiness with Him.”

Thus, to attain a good life, we have to combine the external acts of obedience with the internal states of the heart, also called ‘the actions of the heart’. The actions of the heart include: firm belief (īmān), knowledge of Allah (maʿrifah), sincerity (ikhlāṣ), piety and mindfulness (taqwā), repentance (tawbah), trust in Allah (tawakkul), hope (rajā’), fear (khawf), gratitude (shukr), patience (ṣabr), love (ḥubb), yearning for Allah (shawq) and certainty (yaqīn).

Just as our bodies need food and drink to grow and sustain themselves, our hearts and souls need their food (‘soul food’) to flourish and stay healthy.

This will also mean having to purify our hearts from its diseases (pride, envy, greed, heedlessness, hypocrisy etc). When we are sick, we do not enjoy the taste of food. Sometimes we cannot even taste the flavour. If we are feeling nauseous, even the most expensive meal would not entice us to eat. Likewise, if our hearts are sick and diseased due to committing sins and following desires, we cannot enjoy the ‘sweetness of īmān’. We cannot find joy in worshipping Allah:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًۭا مَّعَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا ٤

"He is the One Who sent down serenity upon the hearts of the believers so that they may increase even more in their faith. To Allah ˹alone˺ belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise".— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, 

(Surah Al Fath : Ayat 4)

Sweetness of Iman and worship,

Why Do We Not Experience the Sweetness of Iman and Worship in Islam ?

The "sweetness of Iman" and worship, or halawat al-iman, refers to the joy and happiness experienced in connection with faith and worship. Several reasons can explain why someone might not feel this sweetness, often linked to the heart's condition and actions. These include focusing solely on external actions of worship while neglecting the internal aspects of faith, neglecting the heart's purification from negative traits, and prioritizing worldly desires over the rewards of faith. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Focus on external actions:

Some may perform prayers, fasting, and other rituals without cultivating a sincere connection to Allah. This can lead to a sense of obligation rather than genuine joy. 

Neglecting the heart's purification:

If the heart is filled with negative traits like pride, envy, or greed, it cannot fully appreciate the sweetness of faith. The heart needs to be cleansed to experience the joy of worship. 

Prioritizing worldly desires:

If worldly pleasures and ambitions overshadow the pursuit of spiritual growth, the individual may not find the same delight in worship. A strong focus on worldly gains can distract from the connection to Allah. 

Weakening iman:

Iman, or faith, is not static; it fluctuates. When actions are not aligned with the heart's conviction, the sweetness of iman may diminish.

Living in a state of spiritual slumber:

Some individuals might experience periods of spiritual laziness or slackness, even when they are mindful of their faith. 

Lack of understanding or connection:

If an individual does not fully grasp the significance of their actions, or if they are not connected to their faith, they may not feel the joy and sweetness associated with it. 

In essence, the sweetness of iman is experienced when the heart is filled with faith, sincerity, and a genuine love for Allah. When these qualities are lacking, the individual may find it difficult to fully appreciate the joy and happiness associated with worship. 

Sins: A Barrier to Tasting the Sweetness of Iman.

Sins deprive us of tasting the sweetness of īmān and worship. The more sweetness and joy we find in sinning, the less joy and sweetness we find in worshipping Allah:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ وُدًّۭا ٩٦

"As for those who believe and do good, the Most Compassionate will ˹certainly˺ bless them with ˹genuine˺ love." — Dr. Mustafa Khattab,

(Surah Maryam :Ayat 96)

Tasting the Sweetness of Faith

Faith has principles and has sweetness, and both are different issues.

Most people are capable of perceiving the principles of faith, but few are the ones who have been true to their covenant with Allah and paid the price of the sweetness of faith in order to taste it.

The difference between perceiving the facts of faith and testing its sweetness resembles the difference between saying one hundred billion dollars and owning this sum of money.

Hence, what attracts you to Islam is not the principles of faith, but its sweetness, and the minute you taste that sweetness you will willingly make conceivable sacrifice for the sake of keeping it.

Furthermore, you will become the happiest person in life regardless of your condition, era, country, hardship, prosperity, richness, poverty, strength, weakness, marital status, and health condition.

Tasting the sweetness of faith has an expensive price to pay, but its outcomes are amazing.

The price you should pay for it is being disciplined, being ready to sacrifice and being openhanded, and the results will be splendid.

هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ لِيَزْدَادُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًۭا مَّعَ إِيمَـٰنِهِمْ ۗ وَلِلَّهِ جُنُودُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا ٤

"He is the One Who sent down serenity upon the hearts of the believers so that they may increase even more in their faith. To Allah ˹alone˺ belong the forces of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise."— Dr. Mustafa Khattab,

{Surah Al Fath : Ayat 4}

Sweetness of Faith is Tasted and Can’t Be Seen.

Tasting the sweetness of faith is something that touches the soul, and it can’t be seen with the eye.

Actually, the true believer’s heart is of full of security, optimism, trust in Allah and the feeling that Allah loves him, and they are enough for the population of an entire country.

The first fact about the sweetness of faith is that it is tasted not seen.

وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ تَحِيَّتُهُمْ فِيهَا سَلَـٰمٌ ٢٣

Those who believe and do good will be admitted into Gardens, under which rivers flow—to stay there forever by the Will of their Lord—where they will be greeted with “Peace!”— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, 

[Surah Ibrahim: Ayat 23]

To make this fact clear, if you are hungry, and you are presented a very expensive delicious meal to eat, you will indescribably enjoy every bite of it, and the one who watches you will have no idea about the taste of that food no matter how much he is prudent or wise, will he?

Asking for more food means that you are enjoying it, but if you are satisfied with few bites from the plate you have, this means that the food is not that good and you will stop eating no matter how hard you are invited to do, for this food is not that delicious.

The believer is hard to be tempted because he has tasted the sweetness of faith

What strongly proves that you have tasted the sweetness of faith is that you ask for more (you want to keep tasting it).

Accordingly, you offer night prayers, you offer voluntary fasting and you donate money to serve people.

Hence, longing for more sweetness is a sign of tasting the sweetness of faith, whereas being satisfied with few deeds and the minimum amount of prayers indicates the weak effect of the sweetness of faith on you, and it means that you haven’t tasted it yet.

In this case you have understood the principles of faith and you abide by them, but you haven’t tasted the sweetness of faith yet.

 

 

 

The Purity Of Heart - The Good Life = A Life of Luxury?

Everyone desires happiness, yet the paths we take and the definitions we hold for it vary greatly. For some, happiness means wealth and material possessions, for others it’s fame and recognition, while for some it’s indulgence in sensual pleasures. There are also those who find happiness in achieving breakthroughs in their fields.

Despite the abundance of pleasures and luxuries available today, many remain unfulfilled. No matter how much we accumulate or how much validation we receive, there’s often a lingering sense of emptiness within us, a void that material possessions and accolades cannot fill.

This emptiness stems from neglecting our innate instinct to recognise and worship our Creator. The pursuit of true happiness lies in knowing and worshipping Allah. As mentioned in the Quran;

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةًۭ ضَنكًۭا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ ١٢٤

“But whoever turns away from My Reminder will certainly have a miserable life, then We will raise them up blind on the Day of Judgment”

 (Surah Taha: Ayat 124)

 The Good Life;

Allah promises a good life to those who do good deeds and believe in Him 

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةًۭ طَيِّبَةًۭ ۖ وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٩٧

Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

(Surah An Nahl: Ayat 97) 

But what exactly is this “good life”? It’s the paradise of this world, a life where believers find contentment, happiness, and inner peace through their worship and connection with their Creator.

Abū Bakr al-Warrāq described the good life as “the sweetness of obedience.” Just as we savour delicious foods with our mouths, obedience to Allah brings a sweetness and satisfaction to the heart, which is the essence of the good life.

Truly in the heart there is a certain loneliness that cannot be removed except by spending time with Him in solitude. In it there is a sadness that cannot be removed except through the happiness of knowing Him and being true to Him … In it there is a void that cannot be filled except through loving Him, turning to Him constantly, always remembering Him, and being sincere to Him. Were a person to be given the entire world and everything in it, it would never fill this void.”             

— Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh)

However, many struggle to experience this sweetness despite engaging in acts of worship. The reason often lies in focusing solely on outward actions rather than nurturing the internal state of the heart. Ibn al-Qayyim noted that one may perform rituals abundantly but lack the inner connection with Allah.

To truly live a good life, we must combine external acts of worship with internal states of the heart, such as belief, sincerity, piety, and gratitude. Just as our bodies need nourishment, our hearts need their “soul food” to flourish.

Purifying the heart from diseases like pride and envy is essential. Just as illness diminishes the enjoyment of food, spiritual diseases hinder the sweetness of faith and worship.

The Good Life = A Life With Allah

Living a good life means living a life with Allah at its centre. It starts with sincere repentance and finding joy in reconnecting with the Creator. It’s about relishing the sweetness of prayer, finding solace in late-night conversations with Allah, and sacrificing worldly desires for His sake.

A life with Allah involves immersing oneself in the Quran, serving others selflessly, and embodying the character of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

This life isn’t about luxury or comfort but about aligning every action with the pleasure of Allah. It’s about speaking, moving, and living for His sake.

We may think that the ‘good life’ is a life devoid of any difficulties; a comfortable luxurious life. On the contrary, those who enjoy the ‘good life’ may experience some of the worst worldly difficulties. However, despite the difficulties and severe illnesses they may suffer, their hearts are at peace. Their hearts are content with Allah’s decree. They may have very little material wealth, but their hearts are brimming with īmān and the love of Allah. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ is the person who best personified this. He ﷺ owned very little of the world: he would sleep on a simple mat which would leave marks on his blessed back, but despite this, he lived the best life.

Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh) explains that the ‘good life’ in the above āyah does not refer to a life of fine clothing, food, drink and spouses, as Allah (ʿazza wa jall) may bestow this in far greater quantities to His enemies. But rather the ‘good life’ is the life of the believer who occupies himself with one goal: pleasing his Beloved (ʿazza wa jall). Instead of feeling confused and torn in many directions of life, the believer who enjoys the ‘good life’ has one focus. Everything he does and seeks is to attain the love and closeness of his Beloved.

When he speaks, he speaks for Him. When he is silent, he is silent for Him. When he moves, he moves for Him. When he is still, he is still for Him.

His focus is Allah. He lives for Allah. He dies for Allah.

The Purity Of Heart - The Good Life = A Life With Allah

We all want happiness. How we define this though, and how we seek it, differs. For some of us, happiness is wealth and material abundance. For others, it’s fame and renown. For others, it’s sensual pleasure and gratification. And for some, it’s a breakthrough in their field of expertise.

Amidst today’s unbounded pleasures and excess, however, more of us than ever remain unfulfilled. No matter how much we buy and consume, or how much we’re validated and gratified, there still lurks within us a void, a lingering feeling of emptiness that we cannot remove. That reassuring satisfaction and contentment we hope will come, actually never does.

It’s because we have suppressed and ignored an inborn instinct to know and worship our Maker. It’s this instinct that is man’s path to happiness. 

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةًۭ ضَنكًۭا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ ١٢٤

Allah says: “But whoever turns away from My Reminder will certainly have a miserable life, then We will raise them up blind on the Day of Judgment” 

(Surah Taha: Ayat 124)

Knowing Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā) and, as a natural corollary, upholding our obligations to Him, is the true antidote to today’s emptiness and despair.

“Truly in the heart there is a certain loneliness that cannot be removed except by spending time with Him in solitude. In it there is a sadness that cannot be removed except through the happiness of knowing Him and being true to Him … In it there is a void that cannot be filled except through loving Him, turning to Him constantly, always remembering Him, and being sincere to Him. Were a person to be given the entire world and everything in it, it would never fill this void.” – Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh)

The Good Life

Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā) says in the Qur’ān:

مَنْ عَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَىٰ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُۥ حَيَوٰةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَنَجْزِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْرَهُم بِأَحْسَنِ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ

“Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds” (16:97).

This āyah tells us that to live a good life, we need to be people of: (1) firm belief in Allah (īmān) and (2) righteous deeds (ʿamal ṣāliḥ)

What then is the ‘good life’? The ‘good life’ is the ‘paradise of this world’. It is a life in which a believer attains a deep sense of contentment, happiness and inner bliss through his worship, closeness and intimate conversation with his Creator.

Abū Bakr al-Warrāq (raḥimahullāh) defined ‘the good life’ as “the sweetness of obedience.”

What does it mean to ‘taste the sweetness of obedience’ or to taste the ‘sweetness of īmān’ (as mentioned by our beloved Prophet ﷺ)? Just as we enjoy the sweetness and incredible flavours of delicious foods with our mouths, īmān and worship also consist of a sweetness and special flavour which can be ‘tasted’ by our hearts. Thus, the ‘good life’ is the good life of the heart, and this is the real life.

In this world, the reward for īmān and righteous deeds is a good life. In the hereafter, however, there is even more, as we read in the āyah above: “We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds”. Imām al-Ghazālī (raḥimahullāh) said, “If the only reward of the person obeying Allah was the sweetness of the obedience, and feeling comfort in privately conversing with Him — it would be enough! Then how about the additional bliss of the hereafter?!”

 A life with Allah begins with sincere repentance (tawbah), and revelling in the joy of reuniting with one’s Creator after having been away.

It is a life in which one relishes the sweetness of ṣalāh, as our beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “My utmost joy has been put in ṣalāh” (Nasā’ī). It is a life in which there is nothing more delightful and soothing to the heart than conversing and crying to one’s Lord in the stillness of the night, alone.

It is a life in which one feels the joy of hunger when fasting, and gives up his base desires —which he loves — for his Beloved, who he loves much more.

It is a life in which one makes the Qur’ān his best friend, and finds immense peace in its recitation as, “There is nothing sweeter to the lover than the words of his beloved, for it is the joy of their hearts and their utmost desire” (Ibn Rajab raḥimahullāh).

It is a life in which one happily serves his family, neighbours and the creation of Allah selflessly. It is life in which one overcomes his ego and emulates the sublime character (akhlāq) of Allah’s beloved, Muḥammad ﷺ.

It is a life in which one feels greater joy in helping others and giving charity than the recipients of the charity themselves. It is a life in which one is ready to sacrifice his own life, and cry out “By the Lord of the Kaʿbah! I have won!” (Bukhārī).

A life with Allah is a life in which the love of Allah supersedes everything else. It is a life of utmost dedication to Him, in which he loves to spend time worshipping Him, and his greatest desire is to meet Him and see Him in Paradise.

“By Allah, the world is only sweet with His remembrance; the Next Life is only sweet with His forgiveness; and Paradise is only sweet with seeing His Noble Face.”                                             – Dhū al-Nūn (raḥimahullāh)

The Purity Of Heart - How Can We Attain the Good Life in Islam?

In Islam, attaining a "good life" involves striving for both worldly success and spiritual fulfillment through a combination of faith, good deeds, and a balanced approach to life. This includes fulfilling religious obligations, prioritizing spiritual connection, seeking knowledge, and maintaining a positive attitude while navigating the complexities of the modern world.

Key Elements for a Good Life in Islam:

• Strengthening Faith;

  • Giving to charity (Zakah): This helps those in need and purifies wealth.
  • Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj): This is a lifelong aspiration for many Muslims. 
• Living a Moral Life:
• 
  
• Sincerity and good intentions (al-niyah): This is crucial for the acceptance of one's actions by Allah. 
• 
  
• Honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness: These are essential virtues in Islam. 
• 
  
• Kindness, compassion, and generosity: These qualities are encouraged in interactions with others.
• 
  
• Balancing the Spiritual and Worldly:

Fasting during Ramadan (Sawm): This reinforces faith and builds spiritual discipline. 

Praying five times a day (Salat): This is a pillar of Islam and a means of connecting with Allah.

• • Seeking knowledge and understanding: Learning about Islam and the world around us is important for making informed decisions and living a fulfilling life. 
  • Prioritizing family and relationships: Strong relationships are crucial for happiness and well-being.
  • Living in the present: Appreciating the blessings of life and finding joy in the small things.
  • Focusing on the afterlife: Remembering that this life is a test and that our actions in this life will have consequences in the hereafter.
  • Cultivating a Positive Mindset:
• • Gratitude and thankfulness: Acknowledging Allah's blessings and expressing gratitude. 
  • Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and focusing on the positive aspects of life. 
  • Optimism and hope: Maintaining a positive outlook and viewing challenges as opportunities for growth. 
  • Patience and resilience: Being steadfast in the face of difficulties and persevering through challenges.
  • Balancing Priorities: Finding a balance between work and leisure, ensuring that we have time for both fulfilling our responsibilities and enjoying life. 
  • Setting goals and working towards them: Having aspirations and a sense of purpose. 
  • Making the most of our time: Avoiding procrastination and making the most of every opportunity. 

1. Knowledge. We have to continuously learn about Allah (ʿazza wa jall) through His Names, His Words, His creation, and by worshipping Him. We have to learn about His beloved,ﷺ, who practically demonstrated to us how to live a ‘good life’, and we have to learn about the ‘actions’ and the ‘diseases’ of the heart. One of the predecessors said, “How unfortunate are the people of the world who left the world without having experienced its greatest delight!” When he was asked, “What is its greatest delight?”, he replied, “Knowing Allah, loving Him, finding comfort in His closeness, and longing to meet Him. ”

2. Battling the inner self (nafs). In our journey to Allah, the initial stages will feel very difficult at times. We have to persevere and keep going, until our hearts become attached to Allah. Once our hearts are attached to Allah, the acts of worship will no longer feel difficult and we will begin to enjoy them. Abū Zayd (raḥimahullāh) said, “I forced my nafs (inner self) to go to Allah whilst it was crying, until I was able to take it to Him whilst it was laughing.”

3. By performing all the obligatory deeds and additional voluntary deeds. In a ḥadīth qudsī, Allah states, “My servant continues to draw close to Me with voluntary deeds until I love him” (Bukhārī).

4. Spending time in isolation with Allah. This includes reciting the Qur’ān with reflection (tadabbur), dhikr with reflection (tafakkur), talking to Him intimately in heartfelt duʿā’; and combining all of the above in ṣalāh with humility and full focus (khushūʿ). This has a deep impact on strengthening our connection with Allah and increasing in love for Him. Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī (raḥimahullāh) said, “Indeed the beloved of Allah are those who have inherited the good life and tasted its bliss, due to conversing privately with their Lord and experiencing the sweetness of His love in their hearts.”

5. Staying aways from sins. Wuhayb b. Ward (raḥimahullāh) was asked, “Can the sinner taste the sweetness of worship?” He said, “No, not even the one who considers doing the sin.”

“The ‘good life’ is attained through lofty aspirations, true love, and a sincere intention.” – Ibn al-Qayyim (raḥimahullāh)