Message for all Muslims during the last ten days of Ramadhaan – Keeping a clean heart

Allah Ta’ala has clearly outlined to us that the thing which will benefit us and come to our avail on the day of Qiyaamah will be a clean heart. Allah Ta’ala says in the Quraanul Kareem:

يوم لا ينفع مال و لا بنون الا من اتي الله بقلب سليم

On the day of Qiyaamah, a person’s wealth and children will be of no benefit to him except for that person who comes with a clean heart.

When Allah Ta’ala spoke in praise of Hadhrat Ibraheem alayhis salaam, He expressed his virtue by saying:

وان من شيعته لابراهيم اذ جاء ربه بقلب سليم

And Ibraheem alayhis salaam was from the progeny of Nooh alayhis salaam. He was a man who came to his Rabb with a clean heart.

Having a clean heart is amongst the greatest Sunnats and the most virtuous deeds. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) addressed Hadhrat Anas radiyallahu anhu saying: “O my beloved son! If it is possible for you to spend the morning and the evening (i.e. spend your day and night) in this condition that there is no malice in your heart, then do so. And O my, son, this is my (special) Sunnat. Whoever loves my Sunnat loves me, and whoever loves me will be with me in Jannah.” (Tirmizi)

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr radiyallahu anhu narrates that on one occasion Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) was asked: “Who is the best/ most exemplary person?” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) replied: “The one whose heart is clean and whose tongue is truthful.” The Sahaabah Radi Allahu anhu asked: “We understand who is a person with a truthful tongue, but what is meant by the one whose heart is clean?” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) replied: “He is a person who keeps himself extremely clean by adopting taqwa, he abstains from sins and inconveniencing others and he harbours no malice or jealousy against anyone.” (Ibnu Maajah)

Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) himself always wanted his heart to be sparkling. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood radiyallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam) said: “None of my companions should bring stories about others to me, as I wish to come to you with a clean heart.” (Abu Dawood)

Someone visited Hadhrat Abu Dujaanah radiyallahu anhu when he was sick. Strangely his face had a unique glow and radiance. He was asked: “What causes your face to shine in this manner?” He explained: From all my deeds, two actions are very special and I have strong hope on, viz.

a) I never utter any futile statement.

b) My heart is always clean for all Muslims.”

Hadhrat Fuzail bin Iyaaz rahmatullahi alayh used to say, “Those who reached the heights of piety in the path of righteousness did not do so through plenty nafl salaah and fasting. Rather it was mainly through their generosity, clean hearts and sincerely wishing well for the ummah.”

Hadhrat Sufyaan bin Dinaar rahmatullahi alayh once asked Abu Basheer rahmatullahi alayh: “Tell me about the deeds of the people of the past.” So he replied, “They did few deeds but received plenty of rewards.” Sufyaan rahmatullahi alayh asked, “But how is that?” He replied, “Because of their clean hearts.

May Allah Ta’ala bless us with truthful tongues, clean hearts and noble character. Aameen!

As we spend the blessed last ten days of Ramadhaan, let us clean our hearts out by forgiving one another and not holding any grudges in our hearts for any person.