The Purity Of Heart - The Good Life

From an Islamic perspective, the purity of heart is essential for achieving a good life, both in this world and the afterlife. It signifies a heart free from impurities like greed, envy, and hypocrisy, and filled with qualities like sincerity, faith, and submission to God. A pure heart leads to a deeper connection with God, better ethical decision-making, and ultimately, a more fulfilling life. 

Here's a more detailed look at the concept. 

The Importance of the Heart:

In Islam, the heart is considered the seat of faith, wisdom, and character. 

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that the heart is the source of both good and bad actions, stating that "Verily, in the body, there is a piece of flesh which, if it is sound, the whole body is sound; and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart". 

A pure heart is seen as the key to spiritual success and the foundation of true faith and sincere worship. 

 Characteristics of a Pure Heart:

Faith in Allah: A pure heart is filled with a strong belief in God's oneness and attributes. 

Submission to Allah: Individuals with pure hearts fully submit to God's commandments and prohibitions. 

Remembering Allah: They constantly keep God in their thoughts and actions. 

Peace with Allah's Remembrance: They find comfort and peace in remembering and contemplating God. 

Sincerity: A pure heart is characterized by genuine intentions and actions, free from hypocrisy. 

Freedom from Impurities: It is free from worldly greed, selfishness, fears, and insecurities, and is not overly attached to anything other than God. 

How to Purify the Heart:

• Repentance:

  Muslims are encouraged to repent for their sins and strive to rectify their actions. 

Good Deeds:

Performing good deeds, such as charity and helping others, can purify the heart. 

Supplication:

Praying and seeking guidance from God can strengthen the heart and purify it.

Learning and Reflecting:

Studying the Quran and Hadith, and reflecting on their teachings, can help to purify the heart. 

Avoiding Sin:

Muslims are encouraged to avoid actions that lead to the hardening of the heart, such as shirk (associating partners with God).

 

Benefits of a Pure Heart:

• Dearest to Allah:

  Allah loves those with pure hearts and is more likely to accept their deeds. 

Better Character:

A pure heart leads to better character, as it is free from vices and guided by faith and wisdom. 

Stronger Faith:

• It strengthens one's faith and connection to God. 

Deeper Connection to God:

A pure heart fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of God's love and mercy. 

Ethical Decision-Making:

It helps individuals make ethical decisions based on their faith and conscience. 

Success in the Hereafter:

A pure heart is considered essential for achieving success in the afterlife and entering Paradise. 

The "Good Life" and the Pure Heart:

The Islamic concept of a "good life" is not simply about material wealth or worldly success, but about achieving spiritual fulfillment and pleasing God.

A pure heart is seen as the foundation for a truly good life, both in this world and the next. 

By purifying the heart, Muslims can strive to live a life that is pleasing to God and filled with good deeds and positive interactions with others. 

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.” 

(Surah An Nahl: Ayat 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 salih)

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?!”