This worldly life is an abode of trial and affliction. Its nature is hardship and dreariness wherein man suffers a lot of pains and difficulties. In this article, discover the meaning of Sharh As-Sadr (Expansion of the Chest) in Islam. Learn how Allah expands the heart of a believer through faith, dhikr, patience, and righteousness, with insights from the Qur’an, Sunnah, and classical scholars.Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Balad (90:4):
لقد خلقنا الإنسان في كبد
“Verily, We have created man in toil.”
The life of man in this world is short, and the removal of distress and anxiety is the request and goal of every human being; for by it, one attains a goodly life. All of creation seeks happiness and exerts their efforts to attain it, and the basis of happiness is expansion of the chest and rest of the heart. If Allaah wills good for a slave, He expands his chest for him. Therefore, it is one of the greatest means of guidance and the most sublime of favors.
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “Just as the expansion of the chest is a means of guidance, it is also the foundation of every favor and basis of every good. Due to the great value of this favor, Musa [Moses (‘Alayhis-salaam)] asked His Lord to bestow it upon him when He first sent him to Fir‘awn (Pharaoh), saying:
ربِّ اشرح لي صدري
“[Musa (Moses)] said: ‘O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness).’” [Surat Ta-Ha (20:25)]
When Allaah (Ta‘ala) enumerated the favors that He bestowed upon our Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), He (Ta’ala) mentioned the expansion of his chest as a first favor saying:
ألم نشرح لك صدرك
‘Did We not expand for you, [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] your chest?’ [Surat Ash-Sharh (94:1)].” [End quote-Shifaa’ Al-‘Aleel]
Meaning of Expansion of the Chest
If Allaah expands the chest of a person for a matter, it means that Allaah endeared the matter to him, made him rejoice with it and feel good towards it. [Mu’jam Al-M’aany Al-Jamie]
When Allaah commanded Musa [Moses (’Alayhis-salaam)] to make Da’wah to Fir’awn (the mightiest king on the surface of the earth at that time who was the most arrogant and severe of all people in his disbelief), Musa (’Alayhis-salaam) requested his Lord to expand his chest for his mission saying:
ربِّ اشرح لي صدري
“[Musa (Moses)] said: ‘O my Lord! Open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment, and boldness).’” [Surat Ta-Ha (20:25)]
Meaning: Expand and make spacious my chest so that I may bear with patience any offence in word and deed, and I will neither be distressed nor feel anxious by it.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
Ibn Katheer (Rahimahullaah) said regarding the meaning of opening the chest in Allaah’s Statement:
ألم نشرح لك صدرك
“Have We not opened your chest for you [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)]?” [Surat Ash-Sharh (94:1)]
“Have we not opened your chest for you” means: “We illuminated it, and we made it spacious, vast and wide.” This is as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whomever Allaah wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam.” [Surat Al-An’aam (6:125)]
And just as Allaah expanded his chest, He also made His law vast, wide, accommodating and easy, containing no difficulty, hardship, or burden.” [End quote – Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said regarding the same verse: “[Allaah (Ta’ala) says what it means, ‘We opened your heart towards the legislations of the Religion, towards the call to Allaah, to be endowed with the best conduct, to have eagerness for the Hereafter, and to make all good and righteous things easy for you. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad’s (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) heart was not barred or restrained towards following any type of goodness; he was never unwilling (to perform acts of righteousness).’” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
An-Nisabori said: “Allaah said: ‘Have We not opened your chest’ and He did not say ‘opened your heart’ because the Shaytaan comes to the chest which is the fortress of the heart and casts worldly anxieties in it and covetousness for its allurement. Hence the heart becomes constricted and does not find joy in obedience or sweetness of faith. If one drives away the enemy by remembering Allaah and turns away from what does not concern him, his chest will be expanded, and it will become easy for him to carry out the acts of servitude.”
Al-Asqalani (Rahimahullaah) said: “Allaah said to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): ‘Have We not opened for you, your chest,’ and did not say, “your heart” because the place of the Waswasah (whisper) of the Shaytaan is the chest, as Allaah says in Surat An-Naas (114:5):
الذي يوسوس في صدور الناس
”Who whispers in the chests of mankind,”
So, removal of that whisper and exchanging it with good (thoughts, wills, intentions, etc.) is the Sharh (expansion). Therefore, the chest is particularized with expansion instead of the heart. [Al-Mawaahib Al-Ladunniyah bil-Minah Al-Muhammadiyah]
Whenever any matter becomes great, its means become more, and its attainment becomes easier.
Means of Expansion of the Chests:
1) The most perfect and important means are what the Shar’ (Islamic Law) has guided to. The greatest means of expansion of the chest is knowledge about Allaah’s Names and Attributes and singling Him out with worship. The expansion of the chest of its companion is in accordance to the perfection of this matter and its strength.
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said: “Some people of knowledge said: ‘I thought about what all mindful people seek; I found that they are all seeking one request even though their ways differ in attaining it. I found them all seeking to repel and drive anxiety and distress away from themselves. However, not all ways lead to that; rather, most ways lead contrary to it. I did not find in these ways, any means leading to that goal except by approaching Allaah, dealing with Him Alone, preferring His pleasure over everything. There is no beneficial way for the slave except this way, nor is there a way like it that makes one attain delight and happiness.’” [Al-Jawaab Al-Kaafi liman Sa’ala an Ad-Dawaa’ Ash-Shaafi]
2 ) The most perfect creation in every attribute is the most expanded in his heart. The more a person follows the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), the more his heart will be expanded and the more complete he will be in joy and delight.
3) The main way to expand the chest is faith and performance of righteous deeds. By these two, the heart and limbs will be reformed, and the person will become upright both outwardly and inwardly. Consequently, one will live a goodly life and attain eternal happiness.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-An’aam (6:125):
فمن يرد الله أن يهديه يشرح صدره للإسلام ومن يرد أن يضله يجعل صدره ضيقا حرجا كأنما يصعَّد في السماء، كذلك يجعل الرجس على الذين لا يؤمنون
“And whomsoever Allaah wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam, and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his chest closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky. Thus, Allaah puts the wrath on those who believe not.”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “Allaah describes for His slaves the sign of a person’s happiness and guidance, and the sign of his wretchedness and misguidance. If a person’s heart is opened to Islam, and it is filled with the light of faith and certainty so that he feels at ease with it, loves good deeds, finds joy in doing them, and does not find them burdensome, then this is a sign that Allaah has guided him and blessed him with success and guided him to the Straight Path. However, the sign that Allaah has willed to send someone astray is that He makes his heart constricted and unaccepting of faith, knowledge, and certainty. His heart is engrossed with doubt and desires, and no good reaches it. It is not opened to any good deed because it is constricted, as if he is climbing up to the heaven whilst he has no means of doing so. All this is due to lack of faith. He is the one who causes the wrath of Allaah to be put on him because he closes the gate of mercy and drives evil to himself.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem]
Allaah says in Surat An-Nahl (16:97):
من عمل صالحا من ذكر أو أنثى وهو مؤمن فلنحيينه حياة طيبة ولنجزينهم أجرهم بأحسن ما كانوا يعملون
“Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter).”
There is nothing like loving Allaah, returning to Him (in repentance and in all of one’s affairs) and enjoying worshiping Him for expanding the chest of the slave. As one’s love for Allaah increases, his heart will be expanded, and his soul will be good, and vice versa; whoever turns away from Allaah and attaches himself to other than Him, this is one of the greatest means of constriction of the chests. This is because whoever loves something besides Allaah will be tormented by it and imprisoned by its love.
Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (Rahimahullaah) said: “If you did not find for your deed, a sweetness in your heart and an expansion in your chest, then accuse it (i.e. the deed). This is because the Lord is Appreciative, i.e. He indeed rewards the doer for his deed in this world with finding sweetness in his heart and a strong opening (of his chest) and comfort (delight) of the eye. If the person did not find that, then his action is blemished.” [Madaarij As-Salikeen by Ibn Al-Qayyim]
Allaah’s choice for His slave is better than the choice of the slave for Himself. And He is more Merciful to His creation than they are to themselves, and whoever believes in the Qadar (pre-ordained decree) good and evil of it, his heart will become tranquil and his chest will become expanded. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat At-Taghabun (64:11):
ومن يؤمن بالله يهد قلبه
“and whosoever believes in Allaah, He guides his heart”
‘Alqamah (Rahimahullaah) said: “He is a person who is afflicted with an affliction and knows that it is from Allaah, so he is pleased and submits.”
And the lives of the servants turn between adversity and prosperity. No one is exempt from this state. Happiness in this life is by believing in the Qadaa’ and the Qadar (the pre-ordained decree), by showing gratefulness in prosperity and patience in adversity.
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “How wonderful is the case of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him he bears it with patience and that is good for him. This does not apply to anyone but the believer.” [Muslim no. 2999]
Whoever believes in the meeting with Allaah and His reward, his soul will be attached to the greatest matter rather than the lowly matters and he will console himself with the promised reward when he misses out on any worldly favors. In this way, his worldly life and Hereafter are reformed.
4) Having good thoughts about Allaah (Ta’ala) is an act of worship which grants its companion peace and happiness. For the Lord is to the slave that what he thinks of Him; if he thinks good of his Lord then he will receive good and if he thinks evil, then he will receive evil.
Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Allaah (Ta’ala) says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am (i.e. I am Able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him).’” [Al-Bukhaari no. 7405]
The good omen expands the chest and is a type of good thinking about Allaah (Ta’ala). The keys of the heavens and earth belong to Allaah (Ta’ala); He turns the hearts as He wills with happiness or wretchedness, with expansion and constriction. Putting trust in the One in Whose Hands are all matters and relying on Him is a legal obligation and a hastened Paradise (delight for its people). Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat At-Talaq (65:3):
ومن يتوكل على الله فهو حسبه
“And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him.”
The provisions of the slave are in Allaah’s Hand and no person will die without taking what is written for him of Rizq (provision). Therefore, feel tranquil and good with what Allaah has apportioned for you and do not be sad for what you have missed of favors; as Allaah will suffice and help whoever resorts to him.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Aal-’Imraan (3:173-174):
الذين قال لهم الناس إن الناس قد جمعوا لكم فاخشوهم فزادهم إيمانا وقالوا حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل
“Those (i.e. believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said: ‘Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.’ But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said: ‘Allaah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Manager of affairs (for us).’”
فَانقَلَبُوا بِنِعْمَةٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَفَضْلٍ لَّمْ يَمْسَسْهُمْ سُوءٌ وَاتَّبَعُوا رِضْوَانَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَظِيمٍ
“So they returned with Grace and Bounty from Allaah. No harm touched them; and they followed the good Pleasure of Allaah. And Allaah is the Owner of Great Bounty.”
Whoever covets happiness and seeks expansion of the chest, let him knock on the gate of the Most Generous profusely, for Allaah is Near to whomever calls unto Him and will neither disgrace nor disappoint he who has hope in Him. By Du’aa, both one’s worldly affairs and his Hereafter will be reformed. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to invoke Allaah (Ta’ala) saying:
اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِي الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَادِي وَاجْعَلِ الْحَيَاةَ زِيَادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْرٍ وَاجْعَلِ الْمَوْتَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ
“O Allaah! Set right for me my religious commitment which is the safeguard of my affairs. Set right for me my worldly affairs in which is my living. Set right for me my Hereafter in which will be my final abode. Make this life a means of increase in all that is good and make death a relief for me from all evil.” [Muslim no. 2720]
5) Dhikr (Remembrance of Allaah) has a wonderful effect on the expansion of the chest, the rest of the heart, and the removal of grief and distress. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Ar-Ra’d (13:28):
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ
“Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah, verily, in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest.”
Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)used to say at the time of distress:
لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ الْعَظِيمُ الْحَلِيمُ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيمِ، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ، وَرَبُّ الأَرْضِ، وَرَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْكَرِيمِ
“None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, the Majestic, the Most Forbearing. None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah, the Lord of the heavens and the Lord of the earth and the Lord of the Honorable Throne.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6346]
The Noble Qur’an is the Speech of Allaah; in it is guidance and healing. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Yunus (10:57):
ياأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جَاءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَاءٌ لِّمَا فِي الصُّدُورِ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“O mankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord (i.e. the Qur’an, ordering all that is good and forbidding all that is evil), and a healing for that (disease of ignorance, doubt, hypocrisy and differences, etc.) in your chests, – a guidance and a mercy (explaining lawful and unlawful things, etc.) for the believers.”
The most deserving of happiness from among the people is the one who recites the Qur’an and acts upon it. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Ta-Ha (20:1-2):
طه
“Ta-Ha. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allaah (Alone) knows their meanings.]”
مَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقَىٰ
“We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you [O Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] to cause you distress,”
The true recitation of the Qur’an – as some scholars said – is reciting the meaning and acting upon it by believing in its news, carrying out its commandments, abstaining from its prohibitions and following it, wherever it takes one, he goes. Reciting the Qur’an thus includes wording and meaning; reciting with the meaning is more noble than mere recitation of the words. Its people are the people of Qur’an for whom will be the praise in the Dunya and Hereafter.
In Tasbeeh (glorification of Allaah with Subhaan-Allaah), Tahmeed (praising Allaah with Al-Hamdulillaah), abundant prostration, and continuous obedience to Allaah is an expansion for the chests and a means of removal of grief and constriction.
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Hijr (15:97-99) addressing His Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ
“Indeed, We know that your chest is straitened at what they say.”
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
“So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).”
وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ
“And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).”
6) Adherence to Taqwa is a means of removal of grief and distress
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat At-Talaq (65:2):
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا
“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).”
By Taqwa, Allaah makes matters easy, as He (Ta’ala) says in Surat At-Talaq (65:4):
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا
“and whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.”
7) Offering Salaat perfectly both inwardly and outwardly is a light for its companion and a means for the expansion of the chest and the removal of grief. It also repels afflictions and protects existing favors. There is nothing like the Salaat to attain one’s worldly and religious interests and repel the evil of this world and Hereafter. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Baqarah (2:45):
وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ
“And seek help in patience and As-Salaat (the prayer)”
Hudhaifah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that whenever anything distressed the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), he prayed. [Authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh Abu Dawoud no. 319 and graded it Hasan]
If the slave begins his day with Salaat, the rest of his day will be reformed. Whoever offers Fajr prayer will be in the guardianship of Allaah, and whoever offers it with its Sunnah, Allaah will suffice him his concerns and worries till the end of the day. Nu’aym ibn Hammar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) say that Allaah, the Exalted, says: Son of Adam, do not be helpless in performing four Rak’ahs for Me at the beginning of the day; I will supply what you need till the end of it. [Saheeh Abu Dawoud no. 1289 and Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh]
8) The knowledge that is inherited from Allaah and His Messenger (i.e. The Book and the Sunnah) which is combined with action, is a means of expansion of the chests. The people of knowledge have the most expanded chests among people. Their hearts are the broadest, they enjoy the best of lives, and their conduct is the best conduct. As the knowledge of the slave increases, his chest expands. Allaah (Ta’ala)says in Surat Al-An’aam (6:122):
أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَاهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا
“Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out?”
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said about his Shaikh Ibn Taymiyah (Rahimahullaah): “I have never seen a good life like his (Rahimahullaah). Despite all that he suffered from of a constricted life contrary to luxury, he was the best of people in his living, the most expanded in his chest, the strongest in his heart, the most delighted in his soul. The brightness of pleasure and delight could be seen on his face.” [Al-Waabil As-Sayyib]
9) Doing good to others is a good action which will not bring except good
One never sees the good generous person except that he is the most expanded in his chest among the people, his soul is the most pleasant and his heart is the most blessed. Doing good to the creation includes benefitting them with all what may benefit them of wealth, nobility, teaching beneficial knowledge, enjoining the good, forbidding the evil, keeping good relations, giving charity, etc.
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) set forth an example for expansion of the chest of the believer who gives in charity and an example for the constriction of the chest of the miser. He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The example of a miser and the one who gives in charity is like the example of two men wearing iron cloaks so tightly that their arms are raised forcibly towards their collar-bones. So, whenever a charitable person intends to give in charity, his cloak spreads over his body so much so that it wipes out his traces but whenever the miser intends to give in charity, the rings (of the iron cloak) come closer to each other and press over his body and his hands get connected to his collar-bones.” Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) heard the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying: “The miser then tries to widen it but in vain.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 2917]
10) Whoever deals with people for the sake of Allaah will be at rest
One will neither look forward to their praise nor feel sad for their dispraise. His state will be like the one whom Allaah mentioned in Surat Al-Insan (76:9):
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا شُكُورًا
“(Saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allaah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.’”
This is more strongly emphasized when dealing with relatives and those whom one’s relationship with is strong. One may encounter what he dislikes from people; however, the mindful person does not underestimate their good character or deeds due to a shortcoming, nor does he cut his relationship with them due to a deficiency in them or in their action. Consequently, one will live with a peaceful mind and rest in his heart in all states.
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “A believer must not hate or harbor any rancor against a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.” [Muslim no. 468]
Commentary: This Hadeeth contains a very wise counsel for a happy married life. It tells us that every person has good qualities as well as some shortcomings. Man has been advised to overlook the shortcomings that he does not like in his wife and appreciate the good qualities. Similarly, the woman is advised to ignore the shortcomings of her husband and admire his good qualities.
11) Accompanying righteous people and the people of knowledge and religion
Sitting with the righteous and religious people is a means of obtaining pleasure and happiness. Through this companionship, one acquires knowledge and wisdom, his soul will be purified, and he will become noble among his companions. Whoever turns to the people of consultation and sound mind in his affairs, his chest will be expanded, and his doubts will be removed. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:83):
وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ ۖ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ
“When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people), if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly).”
12) The enmity of the Shaytaan never stops for the human being and seeking refuge in Allaah is an expulsion of his evil whispers which upsets and causes distress to many creatures.
The religion of Islam seeks to expand the chest of the Muslim from the moment he awakes from his sleep. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “During your sleep, Satan ties three knots at the back of the head of each of you and he reads and exhales the following words at each knot: ‘The night is long, so keep on sleeping.’ If the person wakes up and remembers Allaah, then one knot is undone, and when he performs ablution the second knot is undone, and when he offers Salaat (prayer) all the knots are undone and he gets up in the morning energetic in a good mood and with a good heart, otherwise he gets up lazy without a good heart and not in a good mood.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3269]
13) The strength of the believer is a great source for the expansion of his chest, such that he is not deluded with illusions; he does not surrender to grief nor is he weakened before hardships. Rather, he is firm in his heart, having trust that with every difficulty there is an ease. And if one brings to his attention Allaah’s Grace and bounty upon him that necessitates him to show gratitude, his soul becomes tranquil and at rest, and his heart will be expanded.
14) Satisfaction is the head of self-richness (contentment) and one of the most beneficial matters with which one cures the souls
This is what the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) guided to in his statement: “If any of you looked at a person who was made superior to him in property and (in worldly rank and in good) appearance, then he should also look at the one who is inferior to him, whom he has been made superior over.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6490]
In another narration, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Look at one who is lower than you and do not look at one who is above you. For indeed that is more worthy (so that you will) not belittle Allaah’s favors upon you.” [Saheeh At-Tirmidhi no. 2513 and Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh]
Comments:
An inherent weakness in man is that when he looks at someone superior to him in worldly status or wealth or physical features, he grieves that Allaah has not made him such and such. In this way, he belittles what Allaah has given him. To such people, the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has given the prescription (advised) that they look at and ponder over the condition of those people who are inferior to them in that respect. By doing so, they will not belittle the favors given to them by Allaah.
15) Whoever gathers his heart upon his day and hour, his soul will be at rest. He will not grieve for what has passed and be concerned for the future, for the past cannot be returned and the future is a written unseen. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to invoke Allaah with the following supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
“O Allaah! I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, from weakness and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being heavily in debt and from being overpowered by (other) men.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 6369]
Not getting benefit of one’s free time (leisure) is a source of worry and unhappiness. Whoever fills his time with righteous deeds or beneficial knowledge, all that (grief, worry, etc.) will be removed from him.
Happiness is in seeking help from Allaah in what helps the slave, and staying away from all what weakens the slave and weakens his heart and deed. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Strive for that which will benefit you and seek the help of Allaah, and do not feel helpless. If anything befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done such and such, then such and such would have happened.’ Rather say: ‘Allaah has decreed and what He wills He does.’ For ‘if’ only opens the door to the work of the Shaytaan.” [Muslim no. 2664]
16) Sins are a gate through which afflictions befall the slave by recompensing the evil doer with grief, distress, and hardness of heart as a hastened punishment in this world before the Hereafter. The way to exit from that is to stay away from disobedience to Allaah, return to Allaah in repentance in order for the constriction to be exchanged with expansion and the estrangement to be exchanged with joy.
17) Purifying the heart from its sicknesses is a means of expansion of the chest
Allaah (Ta’ala) has mentioned the Du’aa (supplication) of the believers in Surat Al-Hashr (59:10):
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
“Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed Full of Kindness, Most Merciful.”
The people of Paradise are described by Allaah (Ta’ala) in Surat Al-’Araaf (7:43):
وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ
“And We shall remove from their chests any (mutual) hatred or sense of injury (which they had, if at all, in the life of this world).”
The religion of Islam is the basis of every good and the source of every good. Its people are in high Paradise and in never ending delight. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat An-Nahl (16:30):
لِّلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۚ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ ۚ وَلَنِعْمَ دَارُ الْمُتَّقِينَ
“For those who do good in this world, there is good, and the home of the Hereafter will be better. And excellent indeed will be the home (i.e. Paradise) of the Muttaqun.”
Whoever knows the wretchedness of the Jahiliyah (ignorant times) and its people would recognize the grace and bounty of Islam and its people and accordingly thank Allaah for it. He will hold fast to the Religion while feeling honor and stay steady on it and call people to it. Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-An’aam (6:125):
فَمَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَن يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ
“And whomsoever Allaah wills to guide, He opens his chest to Islam.”
Sources:
Khutbah of the Makkan Haram “Means of Expansion of the Chests” by Shaikh Usamah Al-Khayyat (The Khateeb of the Haram)
Tafseer Ibn Katheer
Tayseer Al-Kareem
Riyadus-Saliheen by Darus-Salaam
