Purification of the Heart By Hamza Yusuf

We of the modern world are reluctant to ask ourselves — when we look at the terrible things that are happening—”Why do they occur?” And if we ask that with all sincerity, the answer will come resoundingly: “All of this is from your own selves.” In so many ways, we have brought this upon ourselves. This is the only empowering position we can take. The Quran implies that if a people oppress others, God will send another people to oppress them: We put some oppressors over other oppressors because of what their own hands have earned (6:129), According to Fakhruddin al-Razi (a 12th century scholar of the Quran), the verse means that the existence of oppression on earth may be caused by previous oppression. By implication, often the victims of aggression were once aggressors themselves. This, however, is not the case with tribulations, for there are times in which people are indeed tried, but if they respond with patience and perseverance, God will always give them relief and victory. If we examine the life of the Prophet (PBUH) in Makkah, it’s clear that he (PBUH) and the community of believers were being harmed and oppressed, but they were patient and God gave them victory. Within 23 years, the Prophet (PBUH) was not only free of oppression, but became the leader of the entire Arabian Peninsula. Those people who once oppressed him (PBUH) now sought mercy from him (PBUH); and he (PBUH) was most gracious and kind in his response. Despite their former brutality toward him, the Prophet (PBUH) forgave them and admitted them into the brotherhood of faith.

This is the difference between someone whose heart is purified and sound and one whose heart is impure and corrupt. Impure people oppress, and the pure-hearted not only forgive their oppressors, but elevate them in status and character. In order to purify ourselves, we must begin to recognize this truth. This is what this book is all about—a book of self-purification and a manual of liberation. If we work on our hearts, if we actually implement what is suggested here, we’ll begin to see changes in our lives, our condition, our society, and even within our own family dynamics. It is a blessing that we have this science of purification, a blessing that this teaching exists in the world today. What remains is for us to take these teachings seriously.

Book Name: Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart

Translation and Commentary of Imam Mawlud's Matharat al-Qulub By Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Book Pages: 105

File Size: 1.13 MB

Language: English