Receiving Ramadan with a Softened Heart

 There is no affliction that can afflict the heart of a person worse than hardness of the heart.From the impacts of the hardness of the heart is that people perform acts of worship, pray, recite Qur’an. But they do not see any impact of that act of obedience in their lives. Many do not feel it, or contrary to that, they notice the true effects of the hardness on their heart.

 

If one is from those who were initially keen to perform acts of obedience, then left them or turned away from them, and the period of abandonment was prolonged and one’s heart turned away from it, then know that this is a punishment (an affliction in one’s religion).

This indicates that one’s heart is not soft and is not earnest in performing the acts of obedience.

 

One may notice people around him keen to learn the Qur’an and enjoying it. He sees the impact of that on their lives, yet he finds that it is not the same for him.  He does not feel what they feel. In the same way, he sees people hasten and plan to do good deeds in their lives, yet he does not join them. It is very heavy on him and he cannot catch up with them, which causes him grief and sadness.

 

During the days of Ramadan, one sees people spending their days in Dhikr, reciting Qur’an and doing good, while another is just sleeping, feeling hungry, yawning during Salaat and feeling lethargic.  The effects of fasting and prayer are not seen on him.

 

What commonly happens during Ramadan:

 

• In the beginning, most people are enthusiastic; diligent and keen to recite the Qur’an and do Dhikr profusely.  Then they gradually begin to weaken in their effort; little by little their recitation becomes less, and their good deeds decrease. This is due to the hardness of the heart.

 

• The enthusiasm that they felt in the beginning was because of the change in the routine of their life.  However, when one eats and drinks and there is no softness in his heart – the effect will be that opportunities come to the person during his days and nights, but his soul is so weak that he is not motivated to do good or take advantage of these blessed days and nights of Ramadan.

• One should know about this matter (hardness of the heart) before Ramadan in order to avoid its causes. One should take the means to soften the heart.

 

Before mentioning the causes of the hardness of the heart – below are some evidences in the Qur’an for hardness of the heart:

 

1. Allaah (Azza wa Jall) says in Surat Al-Baqarah (2:74):

 

ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُم مِّن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَهِيَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً ۚ

 

“Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness.”

 

Then Allaah (Azza wa Jall) mentions why their hearts are even worse in hardness:

 

وَإِنَّ مِنَ الْحِجَارَةِ لَمَا يَتَفَجَّرُ مِنْهُ الْأَنْهَارُ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَشَّقَّقُ فَيَخْرُجُ مِنْهُ الْمَاءُ ۚ وَإِنَّ مِنْهَا لَمَا يَهْبِطُ مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ ۗ

 

“And indeed, there are stones out of which rivers gush forth, and indeed, there are of them (stones) which split asunder so that water flows from them, and indeed, there are of them (stones) which fall down for fear of Allaah.”

 

This verse is mentioned after the story of the cow and its slaughtering.  The story consists of an Ayah / a sign of the ability of Allaah (Azza wa Jall) on giving life to the dead by striking the dead body of the killed person with a part of the slaughtered cow (Bani Isra’eel wanted to know who the killer was).

 

This great sign should have had an effect on their hearts and should have increased them in Imaan.  However, this sign did not affect the hearts of Bani Isra’eel and their Imaan did not increase.

 

The lesson:

The benefit from this verse is that Allaah (Azza wa Jall) presents Ayaat (signs) to His servants in order to increase them in faith. He makes them go through situations and decreed events which will make them reach Imaan – if only they reflect over the signs.

 

However, if the Dunya is the biggest concern of people, then the heart will be hardened, and these signs will have no effect on them.

 

E.g.: A man becomes sick and weak in strength. He does not know why he became sick, but then Allaah cures him and he does not know or think why.  He never reflects over or thinks of his sins.  He does not implore or invoke Allaah for His mercy. 

 

Even though, when one becomes sick, one’s heart becomes softened.  But if the heart does not plead/ approach Allaah during his affliction in that event which he goes through, then this is an indication of the hardness of the heart.

 

Allaah (Azza wa Jall) warns us about resembling the Jews whose hearts were hardened after that (meaning after showing the signs they still did not believe).

 

Illnesses come to people – people die, and lives are destroyed. People see them, yet they do not think except in a manner of worldly interests.  

During the outbreak of the corona virus in 2020, peoples’ concern was only to stockpile food, yet they should have come closer to Allaah.

 

People do not see or feel the actions of Allaah. 

Sudden death is common now:

• We may hear of a (young) person who went to bed and did not wake up in the morning.
• Or of one walking and suddenly fell dead.
• Or of one in good health, then an unexpected illness befell him, and he died.

 

We need to ask ourselves if we are safe from such ends.  What can prevent it from happening if Allaah has willed it for someone?

Despite hearing such news, the hearts are still not softened.

 

The eclipse of the sun and the moon are great signs from Allaah which should frighten us, yet many do not fear Allaah during their occurrence. Our concern is to pray the two Rak’ah only. These are all indications of the hardness of the heart.

 

One is supposed to remain grateful and repentant to Allaah and not be like the animals who do not know why it is released or why it is detained.   It does not know why it is stricken with a calamity and why it is given the Aafiyah. 

This is because animals are not created to receive admonition from situations; rather they are created in the Dunya as a sign for us humans to see the impact of Allaah’s creation on them.

 

فَهِيَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً ۚ

 

“Their hearts are like stones, or even worse”

 

 

This indicates that the person whose Imaan is weak, his heart is harder than stones because good things can come out of stones but not from hardened hearts.

 

2. Allaah (Azza wa Jall) says in Surat Al-Hadeed (57:16):

 

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ

 

“Has not the time come for the heart, of those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah) to be affected by Allaah’s reminder (this Qur’an) and that which has been revealed of the Truth,”

 

وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ ۖ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

 

“Lest they become as those who received the scripture (the Torah and Gospel) before (i.e. Jews) and the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened. And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah).”

 

In this verse Allaah (Azza wa Jall) addresses the believers (it is mentioned in the books of Tafseer that Allaah addressed the Sahabah, (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhum).

 

Allaah (Ta’ala) tells them: 

 

Has not the time come for their hearts (the hearts of the believers) to be affected by the reminder of Allaah (this Qur’an)? If humbleness and humility occur in the hearts, the hearts will approach Allaah and resort to Him.

 

Allaah (Ta’ala) warned the believers about the causes of hardness of the heart in this verse:

 

فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ

“The term was prolonged for them“

 

 

There are many Muslims who have a Mus’haf in their homes.  People even have the Qur’an literally in their hands (in the mobile phones). However, some Muslims are like the people of the scripture who had books, they did not thank Allaah for their scriptures. They abandoned its recitation, did not understand its meaning and did not repeat its meanings to themselves. 

A person may pass by the Mus’haf and see it and feel the yearning to receive it, but what prevents him?

 

فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ

 “The term was prolonged for them“

 

The Mus’haf is there but people turn away from it.  Instead of reciting the Qur’an, they are occupied in idle talk, joking and chatting on their mobile phones and busy with the happenings of the world for hours on end. They do not realize the time going by, nor do they get tired or bored of it.

 

As for reciting the Qur’an, they only manage to hold it for a few minutes without even completing one page. They cannot bear it as there is heaviness in their hearts. 

 

وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

 

“And many of them were Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah).”

 

This is the effect of abandoning the Qur’an for a long period of time.  Certainly, one will gradually deviate from the right path due to weak Imaan.

 

Therefore, a prolonged period of abandonment will cut off one’s relationship with the Qur’an, with Allaah and with the religion.

 

This is the state of those who do not recite the Qur’an throughout the whole year, until the month of Ramadan.

 

If a person is far away from knowledge, from listening to the truth or attending lectures, then his understanding will not be like the one who listens to the truth. 

 

 

Abandonment Cuts the Relationship

 

The people of the scripture stayed far away from their Books and the Truth which Allaah sent down.  They stayed away from the knowledge and from everything that would bring them close to Allaah.  One should be aware of being like them.

 

A person may gradually leave guidance, yet his outward actions may appear good, i.e.,

• praying and fasting – there is heaviness in his heart when he prays and fasts
• he performs his Salaat quickly
• while reciting the Qur’an, his eyes are on his watch yearning to finish
• waiting for Ramadan to be over

 

This is an indication of the hardness of the heart.

 

For example, those who abandoned Salaat, how did  they reach this state? One will find that they began by missing Fajr prayers, then they started missing Dhuhr, and over time, they felt difficulty to offer the missed Salaat or to pray on time.

 

The prolonged negligence and delay caused this hardness of the heart, such that it reached complete abandonment.

 

Bear in mind, if one does not force himself to do righteous good deeds, his soul will not comply and perform righteous good deeds.

 

3. Allaah (Azza wa Jall) says in Surat Az-Zumar (39:22):

 

فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

 

“So, woe to those who hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allaah! They are in plain error.“

 

This verse indicates that hardness of the heart is one of the major sins of the heart, because Allaah (Azza wa Jall) said:  “Woe to those whose hearts are hardened.”

 

In the beginning of the verse, Allaah (Ta’ala) says:

 

أَفَمَنْ شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ

 

“What about someone whose heart Allaah has opened to Islam, so that he follows a light from His Lord?“

 

The one whose heart Allaah opened to Islam:

 

1. feels at ease with the commands of Allaah
2. accepts them
3. acts upon them happily and joyfully based on understanding

 

In Ramadan, he feels that the gates of Paradise are opened. He feels joy when he fasts, and he believes in the promise and forgiveness of Allaah.

 

Woe to those whose hearts hardened upon hearing the reminder of Allaah (the Qur’an):

 

1. Their hearts do not soften upon hearing His Book
2. They do not pay heed to its verses
3. They do not find rest in the remembrance of Allaah

Rather their hearts turn away from their Lord and focus on something other than Him.  These are the ones to whom the stern warning and severe punishments are directed.

 

أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُبِينٍ

 

“Such people are clearly misguided.“

 

When the heart becomes hardened, a person becomes like one who does not see or hear.  He may read the Qur’an warning against dealing with Riba; he hears it, he knows it, but because of the hardness of his heart it is as if he does not hear. He does not give heed.

 

So Allaah (Azza wa Jall) described the people of the scriptures and the disbelievers with hardness of the heart and He (Azza wa Jall) forbade the believers from resembling them.

 

Some of the Salaf used to say: “Don’t be more in hardness than the People of the Scripture when they are hardened.”

 

 

Hardness of the Heart in the Sunnah

 

Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu anhuma) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not talk too much without remembrance of Allaah.  Indeed, excessive talking without remembrance of Allaah hardens the heart.  And indeed, the furthest of people from Allaah is the harsh hearted.” [At-Tirmidhi no. 2411. Al-Albaani graded it Da’eef, but Ahmad Shakir said Saheeh and another said Hasan]

 

Those who talk much without remembering Allaah will have their hearts hardened and will be devoid of all lustre and tender feelings.  Fear of Allaah and submissiveness towards Him will not find a place in their heart.  As a result, they will be deprived of Allaah’s mercy and closeness to Him.

 

 

The Causes of Hardness of the Heart

 

From among the causes of the hardness of the heart are:

 

1-     Talking too much (excessive talk) – based on the previous Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu anhuma)

 

The tongue is a great blessing that is bestowed by Allaah (Ta’ala) upon us, and He (Azza wa Jall) made it easy to use.  This is due to the fact that via the tongue a person enters Paradise, if it conforms with belief, which is established in the heart.

 

The most beloved deed to Allaah is remembering Him (Azza wa Jall) by Tahleel, Takbeer and Tasbeeh and reciting the Qur’an.  Allaah loves from His slave, whom He granted this tongue and made it easy to use, to remember Him (Azza wa Jall).

 

Even if one is lying on his bed and none of his limbs are moving, he can remember Allaah with his tongue.  However, our enemy, the Shaytaan, makes this (Allaah’s) favor be of no use or benefit.  Shaytaan makes the efforts and energy of the sons of Adam be wasted in vain talk. So they talk until their tongues become tired and slacken, such that if they want to remember Allaah, they find no energy to utter the Dhikr of Allaah.

 

Due to excessive talking with people outside of the house, women who should give advice to their family members or men to their families, do not do, as they have no energy left after wasting time in vain talk.

 

E.g. A person may offer Fajr prayer and he wants to remember Allaah upon completion of the prayer.  He feels too sleepy and finds his tongue very heavy, as if Shaytaan is holding it or sitting on it or he will occupy himself with useless acts until the virtuous time of remembering Allaah passes without taking advantage of it.

 

Talking about worldly matters causes hardness of the heart.

 

The first cause of hardness of the heart is talking too much of worldly matters.  If one’s talk does not include the remembrance of Allaah, whether it is reciting the Qur’an or acquiring knowledge, reading Tafseer, listening to people of knowledge, advising someone, reminding someone of Allaah’s favors, and gratitude, etc., then it is considered worldly talk.

 

The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Indeed the most beloved among you to me, and the nearest to sit with me on the Day of Judgment is the best of you in character.  And indeed, the most disliked among you to me, and the one sitting furthest from me on the Day of Judgment is:

1. Ath-Thartharoon, i.e. the one who is excessive in speech – wanting to attract others
2. Al-Mutashaddiqun, i.e. the one who talks about people unnecessarily and reviles them
3.    Al-Mutafaihiqun, the one who talks arrogantly –

 

The Sahabah said: “O Messenger of Allaah!  We know Ath-Thartharoon and Al-Mutashaddiqun, but what about Al-Mutafaihiqun?” He [the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)] said: “The arrogant (when they talk, they talk with pride to show eloquence).” [At-Tirmdhi no. 2018 and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan]

 

Good character makes one loved in this world and is deserving of the Prophet’s closeness in the Hereafter. Affection and making a show of one’s civility accompanied by bragging with excessive speech are detested in every civilized society in the world.  In the Hereafter, these traits shall drive the person away from the company of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

 

2.  Breaching (breaking) the Covenant with Allaah (Azza wa Jall)

 

      Allaah (Azza wa Jall) says in Surat Al-Maa’idah (5:13):

 

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً

“So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard.”

 

The covenant starts with one’s covenant with Allaah – obligatory acts are covenants between us and Allaah.  This includes the covenant between man and woman, it includes the covenants between people – including those who work and study together, promises, oaths and work contracts.

 

E.g. A man may take a covenant in his inner self with Allaah, that if Allaah broadens upon him a Rizq (provision), then he will give in charity and he will do such and such good deed.  He talks to himself and he may talk to Allaah in secret.  This is a private covenant.  There are also general covenants which Allaah takes from us, such as the Salaat which is the most important of covenants, obligatory acts, Tawheed, acts of worship.

 

So, if one breaches the covenant, then this will cause hardness of the heart.

 

A person may promise Allaah to offer a voluntary Salaat, not a vow, but as an act of worship. Then the Dunya occupies him and he abandons what he promised Allaah.  This should be something to fear as one could fall into it; to promise Allaah and then not keeping the promise. This could be a cause of hardness of the heart.

 

There could be between you and Allaah, many acts of worship and special acts of obedience but because of the Dunya they are left.  One should be afraid to be of those whose hearts will be hardened.

 

Ibn Aqeel said one day in his admonition:  O you who finds hardness in his heart!  Beware of those who breach the covenants, because Allaah says in Surat Al-Maa’idah (5:13):

 

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ لَعَنَّاهُمْ وَجَعَلْنَا قُلُوبَهُمْ قَاسِيَةً ۖ َ

 

“So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard.”

 

3. Excessive Laughter

 

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do not laugh much, for indeed increased laughter kills the heart.” [At-Tirmidhi no. 2305 and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Saheeh, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad no. 253]

 

Excessive laughter causes heedlessness from preparing for death and the horrors that one may meet.  It corrupts the heart and will kill the live heart i.e. it becomes void of Dhikr of Allaah and it will not be enlightened with the love of Allaah, His fear and magnification.

 

This does not mean that one should bring grief and sadness to oneself, nor is it related to being joyful and smiling. 

 

The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was always smiling and Allaah (Azza wa Jall) orders us to rejoice in His bounties and favors i.e. Qur’an, Islam, Imaan, etc.

 

The laugh that is meant here is the laughter of the person who doesn’t know the purpose of his existence in this life. He is that person who is looking for anything (lawful or unlawful) to make him laugh i.e. laughter becomes a goal many people seek.  This means this person does not know the real goal and purpose that he is created for.

 

Nowadays, the state of most people is that they turn to online media or social media looking for something to make them laugh.  One should look at the Dunya as an abode to bring him close to Allaah and not to take the Dunya as a place of jest and laughter.

 

The types of laughter such as the laughter of mockery, carelessness, recklessness, making tricks on others (pranking) are causes of sin.  Such reasons to laugh may make a man earn sin.

 

A believer’s nature is that of expansion in his breast.  But one should not make expansion of breasts with these matters, rather it should be with the remembrance of Allaah, by attending assemblies of Dhikr, etc.

 

One should not confuse himself or misunderstand that laughter or joking is Haram in Islam, rather there are many evidences in the Sunnah that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) joked and laughed with the Sahabah.

 

4. Excessive Eating

 

Excessive eating, especially the eating of unlawful or doubtful food, or the unlawful wealth that is spent on food, or the doubtful wealth acquired through Riba or other ways. 

 

This shows a person’s concern is only the Dunya.

 

The believer knows why he eats or drinks. He knows that they are just means.  This does not prevent one to seek the good and permissible kinds of food. [In Surat Al-Kahf, the people of the Cave sought good lawful food].

Eating excessively, or eating from unlawful food, or food purchased with unlawful earnings is what is forbidden.

 

Bishr Ibn al-Harith said: “Two characteristics cause hardness of the heart, excessive eating and excessive talking.” [Reported by Abu Nu’aim]

 

Many of the gatherings during our times consist of talking, eating and laughter, and are devoid of the Dkhir of Allaah.  This causes hardness of the heart.  If the gathering involves backbiting, then the matter becomes even worse.  Therefore, many of these gatherings are not blessed and can be the cause of conflict and fights.

 

Al-Mawardi asked Imaam Ahmad: “Does man find softness in the heart if he is fully satiated?” Imaam Ahmad (Rahimahullaah) said: “No, I do not see that.”

 

Consequently, look at those who eat too much in Ramadan at the time of Iftar; they will not be able to offer Taraweeh well – they do not find Khushu’ in their hearts.

 

5. Abundant Sins

 

Allaah (Azza wa Jall) says in Surat Al-Mutaffifeen (83:14):

 

كَلَّا ۖ بَلْ ۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِم مَّا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

 

“Nay! But on their hearts is the ‘Ran’ (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn.”

 

When do people reach the state of ‘Ran’ covering their hearts?

 

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Verily, when the slave (of Allaah) commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart.  When he refrains from it, seeks forgiveness and repents, his heart is polished clean.  But if he returns, it increases until it covers his entire heart.  And that is the ‘Ran’ which Allaah mentioned:

 

كَلَّا ۖ بَلْ ۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِم مَّا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

 

 

“Nay! But on their hearts is the ‘Ran’ (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn.” [At Tirmidhi no. 3334 and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan]

 

1. The Hadeeth emphasises the impact of sins on the hearts.  Committing sins profusely will turn the heart into a pure black heart.
2. Repentance cleans the heart from the effect of the sins.

 

All sons of Adam commit sins, but there is a difference between the one who hastens to repent, asks for forgiveness and the one who persists in committing sins without seeking forgiveness and follows his desires only.  The former even follows up a sin with a good deed to counteract the sin.  A person should focus on himself and take himself to account – ask himself whether he benefitted from his day or not.  If he worked his days and nights without doing good, he would try his best to catch up with what he missed of good and reform his deeds.  His concern is his scale with Allaah, his reputation with Allaah.  He asks Allaah for forgiveness from the sins he has committed knowingly and unknowingly – in order to cleanse his heart.

 

Sins on the heart resemble a spot of blood on a white cloth.  If one delays washing it, it will stain; however, if one hastens to clean it, the traces will be removed.

 

The Shaytaan may deceive people and make them fall, therefore, as soon as one becomes aware, one should repent to Allaah and ask for forgiveness before Shaytaan prevents the person from repenting.  No matter how great the sin that one committed is, true repentance will remove its traces.  Know that Allaah (Azza wa Jall) never lets down the truthful ones.

 

 

Impacts of the Hardness of the Heart

 

Hardness of the heart causes weak feelings towards the texts of the Qur’an and the Sunnah and the Day of Judgment.  Sins cover the heart so it does not feel the connection to the religion; rather it is as if the heart is dead.

 

If any part of the body is paralyzed, it cannot respond. Similarly, when the heart is hardened, a sign of its hardness is the lack of feeling towards the facts of the Day of Judgment and aspects of Imaan. It does not feel Allaah’s Greatness and favors etc.  Look at how Allaah showed the whole world the impact of His Greatness, His Mercy and Kindness in the crisis.  It can be seen how Allaah wills the Muslims to increase in knowledge about His Greatness, to believe in Him and disbelieve in other than Him (all false deities and ideologies) and believe only in Allaah Who is Our Rabb – Rabbil Alameen, He, Who has created us and He, Who guides us.  Allaah, Who feeds us and gives us drink, and when we are ill, it is He Who cures us.

 

• If one derives benefit from a medicine or treatment – this is because Allaah guided one to it.
• He guided Nuh (‘Alayhis-salaam) to construct the Ark.
• He made Sulayman understand.
• He is the One Who will guide us.

These are all beliefs that should be established in our hearts.

 

Allaah comes down to the nearest heaven every night, yet a person may stay awake late playing with his mobile or chatting with friends rather than making use of this time.

This is the description of the hypocrites – due to their abundant sins.

He recites Surat Al-Fatihah and does not feel that Allaah is talking to him and responding to Him.  When he invokes Allaah, he does not feel Allaah hearing him and responding to him.

 

We need to find the balance to weigh the hardness of our hearts.  The angels glorify Allaah and praise Him day and night.  They say: “We did not worship as you deserve.”  Do we feel His Greatness?

 

Some of the Salaf used to say: “When the body is naked it easily becomes susceptible (to a slight cold or heat) unlike the person who is covering his body with clothes – his feeling is less.  Similarly, the heart, when its sins become less, then quickly his eyes shed tears i.e. he is easily affected and reacts. 

Not shedding tears is another result of the hardness of the heart.

 

Ibn Al-Mubarak used to say: “I saw that sins kill the hearts and result in humiliation because of the addiction to it, while abandoning sins revives the hearts, so choose for yourself its opposition (disobedience).”

 

The explanation to the above quote is that when one continues to sin without repenting, it becomes habitual to the point of being addicted to the acts of disobedience, whereas abandoning sins brings life to the heart.

 

 

The means of removal of the hardness of the heart

 

There are various means among them:

 

1. Remembering Allaah profusely

The Dhikr in which the tongue conforms with the heart i.e. the tongue and the heart are in harmony.

 

A man came to Al-Hasan Al-Basri and said: “I complain to you of the hardness of my heart.” Al-Hasan Al-Basri said: “Bring it close to the Dhikr” i.e. remember Allaah profusely.

 

How can the tongue be in conformity and harmony with the heart?

 

 When man’s heart is alive, he feels Allaah’s favor and graciousness upon him and acknowledges them with his heart (the feeling starts in the heart). After this feeling, he utters the words “Alhamdulillaah.”

 

This is the meaning of the tongue and heart being in harmony.

Other examples: When one feels Allaah’s greatness, he immediately says: “Subhaan-Allaah” or

When one sees, during the crisis of Covid 19, how evil, of every kind, has been stopped without a fight, or soldiers, or hosts and then realizes Allaah’s greatness, he says: “Allaahu Akbar” or

When one remembers a sin that he committed in ignorance previously, and  subsequently feels regret, grief and sorrow and says: ‘Astaghfirullaah  wa Atoobu Ilaihi (I ask Allaah’s forgiveness and repent to Him)’ or

 

One may think of his state in previous years and then think of his present  state after acquiring knowledge, so he immediately says: “Al-Hamdullilaah.”

 

Salman (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said that a man said:

 

الحمدلله كثيراً

“All praise be to Allaah profusely.”

 

The angels could not write it because of its greatness, and he (the angel) consulted his Lord regarding it.  He was told: “Write it down as My slave said ‘Katheeran’ (profusely).” [Saheeh At-Targheeb no. 1577]

 

The most beloved state of a slave to Allaah is that his heart is occupied with contemplating and uttering words accordingly.

 

E.g.  A person remembers that when he sought help from someone, the person let him down; or after he trusted a person, the person betrayed him; or someone hurts him despite his having helped him – then he thinks:  “Really no one deserves to be loved and magnified except Allaah” – accordingly he says: ‘Laa illaha Illallaah.’

 

This Tahleel is coming out from one’s heart and the tongue utters it accordingly.

 

This attentiveness of the heart is the best state to be in.  However, if one has not reached this state, then he should endeavour to reach the next best state which is reflecting over the Dominion of Allaah (Azza wa Jall) and acknowledging His Greatness and Magnificence with his heart. It does not appear on his tongue;  but he remembers Allaah with his heart.

 

The least state of a slave is his heart being inattentive, just remembering Allaah with his tongue and saying: “Subhaan Allaah (Glory be to Allaah), Al-Hamdulillaah (All praise be to Allaah).” This is better than one who does not remember Allaah at all or like the Mura’i (the one who shows off his Ibadah).

 

Allaah looks at our hearts. Therefore, we should adorn them for His viewing; we should clean it from Hasad (envy), having grudges, being occupied with the Dunya or competing with people.  Such thoughts should not occupy one’s heart and mind.  No one can take the Rizq which Allaah portioned for us.  Whatever Rizq Allaah allots for us – that is good for us.

 

Wahb ibn al-Ward said: “We looked into this Hadeeth and we did not find anything that causes the softness of the heart or seeking of the truth other than reciting the Qur’an with Tadabbur.” This is because the best Dhikr is the Dhikr of Qur’an and Tadabbur of the Qur’an.

 

The one who recites the Qur’an knowing that Allaah is speaking to him, understands the meaning of the Qur’an and that he is meant by this speech. Surely that will soften his heart.

 

One might go through a situation where people plot against him. Then he reads Surat Yusuf and how Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam) felt about his brothers, who plotted against him.

 

إِنَّهُ مَنْ يَتَّقِ وَيَصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَالْمُحْسِنِينَ

 

“Verily, he who fears Allaah with obedience to Him and is patient, then surely, Allaah makes not the reward of the good-doers to be lost.” [Surat Yusuf (12:90)]

 

A person should think about his attitude despite people plotting against him.  Allaah will not neglect the reward of the doers of good. Remaining pious and patient for Allaah will bring one out of the difficulty, just as He did with Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam). Allaah exalted Yusuf (‘Alayhis-salaam).

 

In Surat Aal-‘Imraan (3:124), Allaah (Ta’ala) advised the Sahabah that if they wanted victory in the Battle of Uhud over their enemies, they should be pious (fear Allaah) and patient.

 

Throughout one’s life, a person should be pious and patient.

Whether one is on a battlefield, has a conflict with others, or is otherwise afflicted in life, he should practice piety and patience.

 

How should a believer react when he has been offended by another (person)? Perhaps a word of disrespect is said, or he is annoyed in some manner – how should he react?  One must be patient while believing that Allaah (Ta’ala) does not make the reward of the doer of good to be lost.  Never should a person think of plotting against one who harmed or plotted against him. This will be of no use to the one harmed.

 

Tadabbur of the Qur’an causes softness of the heart

 

Yahya ibn Mu’adh and Ibraheem Al-Khawwas (Rahimahumullaah) said: “There are five matters which are like medicine for the heart:

1. Reciting the Qur’an with reflection and contemplation
2. Emptiness of the stomach
3. Offering night prayer (Tahajjud)
4. Pleading/ imploring Allaah at the time of Sahar (before dawn)

The greatest thing one can ask of Allaah is to soften his heart, especially after knowing and noticing the signs (symptoms of the hardness of the heart) of not shedding tears when hearing an admonition, when one is concerned with his status among the people, and so forth.

5. Accompanying and sitting with righteous people

 

The people of the cave gathered with their believing brothers and this helped them stay firm on the path.  This does not mean abandoning sitting with one’s family, relatives or people of the Dunya; but one should not prolong sitting with them.

 

Therefore, the key means of the removal of hardness of the heart is Dhikr of Allaah.

 

Allaah (Azza wa Jall) says in Surat Ar-Ra’d (13:28):

 

الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ

 

“Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah) and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allaah.  Verily in the remembrance of Allaah do hearts find rest.”

 

Allaah (Azza wa Jall) says in Surat Az-Zumar (39:23):

 

اللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ الْحَدِيثِ كِتَابًا مُتَشَابِهًا مَثَانِيَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ

 

“Allaah sent down the best Statement, a Book (this Qur’an), its parts resembling each other in goodness and truth, oft repeated.  The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it (when the recite it or hear it).  Then their skin and their heart soften to the remembrance of Allaah.”

 

Allaah (Azza wa Jall) says in Surat Al-Hadeed (57:16):

 

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ

 

“Has not the time come for the hearts of those who believe, to be affected by Allaah’s reminder (this Qur’an) and that which has been revealed of the Truth.”

 

There is a Hadeeth that Ibn Rajab (Rahimahullaah) mentioned and Al-Albaani (Rahimahullaah) stated it Da’eef (weak), in which the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said that hearts become rusted like how iron rusts when it comes into contact with water.

He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was asked: “What can polish it?” He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Remembering death profusely and reciting  the Qur’an.” [Mishkat Al-Masabeeh no. 2109]

 

In the present times, one must recognise the great bounty of having the Qur’an easily accessible on one’s mobile phones which can be accessed at any time.  One must thank Allaah for this blessing by never separating oneself from the Book of Allaah.  At the same time, one should allocate a certain time for pondering over it.

 

Upon entering the month of Sha’baan (the month preceding Ramadan), one should recite Qur’an abundantly in preparation for Ramadan. The Salaf used to recite the Qur’an profusely in Sha’baan.

 

With regular, consistent recitation of the Qur’an one will notice how one’s life will be blessed.

 

 

2. Doing good and helping the orphans and the poor

 

 

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered us to look at those who are inferior to us in the matters of Dunya so that we will never be ungrateful for Allaah’s favor on us.

 

Associating with those who are weak will soften the hearts, whereas lots of associating with people of the Dunya makes one more covetous and brings about hardening of the heart.

 

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that a man complained to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) about the hardness of his heart.  He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “If you like your heart to be softened, then wipe over the head of the orphan and feed the poor.” [Saheeh Al-Jami’ and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan]

 

 

3. Remembering Death Profusely

 

A woman came to ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) complaining to her about the hardness of her heart.  ‘Aishah told her: “Remember death much.  Your heart will be softened, and you will be able to manage your affairs and needs.” And the woman did what ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) advised her with and felt guidance and joy, so she came to ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) thanking her.

 

One of the Salaf used to say: “If remembrance of death left (departed) our hearts for just one hour, our hearts would be corrupted.”

 

Note: (The remembrance of death should be a faithful remembrance and not a devilish remembrance.  It should be a remembrance that pushes one to perform more good deeds and not one which causes so much fear that it paralyzes ones thinking and actions.)

 

A believer should be reminded of the delights that the people of the graves are living in, which is incomparable to the delights of the people of the Dunya – so he should be prepared for that place and state.

 

If a person looks at the graves from the outside, he sees strangeness and fear, but inside those graves there are some people who are enjoying a delight which is greater than the delights of this Dunya.

 

So, when one remembers death, he should remember it in a way that pushes him to do more good deeds, with the hope that Allaah accepts it from him and rewards him in the Hereafter.

 

There are many Ahadeeth regarding this matter, such as the Hadeeth in which the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Increase in remembrance of the severer of pleasure i.e. death.” [At-Tirmidhi no. 2307 and Al-Albaani graded it Hasan Saheeh]

 

Remembering death and the Hereafter is a motivation to correct one’s relationship between the slave and his Lord, and removal of worldly attachment from the heart and mind.

 

In this Hadeeth, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) says:  “Increase in remembrance of the severer of pleasure, i.e. death.” Death is the cause or the means that prevents one from indulging excessively in sins and lusts continuously and persistently. It makes one pause at the reality of this life and the reality of the Hereafter. Accordingly, he reforms himself to increase in deeds like the people of Jannah and stays away from deeds which brings one close to Hellfire.

 

4. Visiting graves and reflecting over the state of its people and their destiny

 

A man asked Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Rahimahullaah) what softens the heart. He (Rahimahullaah) said: “Visit the graveyard.”

 

Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Visit the graves for they remind you of death.” [Muslim]

 

Ibn Buraidah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated on the authority of his father that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I forbade you to visit the graves, but you may now visit them.” [Muslim no. 977]

 

In another version, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Visit the graves, for that makes you mindful of death.” [Muslim no. 976]

 

Ahmad reported that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I forbade you from visiting the graves, but you may now visit them for that reminds you of the Aakhirah.”

 

5. Looking into the dwellings of people whom Allaah destroyed and Considering the Houses (dwellings) of the dead

 

Ibn Abi Ad-Dunya reported in His book “At-Tafakkur and Al-‘Itibar” on the authority of Abi Al-Waleed, that whenever Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) wanted to inspect his heart, he used to go to the ruined places and stand at the door and call with a sad voice, saying: “Where are your people?” Then he would answer himself –

 

كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ 

 

”Everything will perish save His Face.” [Surat Al-Qasas 28:88]

 

It is also reported in the Book of “Al-Quboor” on the authority of Muhammad ibn Qudamah that whenever Ar-Rabe’e ibn Khuthaim felt hardness in his heart, he would go at night to the house of a friend who had passed away and would call out: “O so and so, O so and so, what did you do?  What had been done to you?” Then he would weep until his tears flowed.

 

6. Eating Lawful

 

During our current times, Haram matters and Riba enter upon the people from places which they perceive not. Due to the love of the Dunya, people do not take care of the difference of lawful and unlawful earnings.

 

Sources:

The Book Dispraise of Hardness of the Heart by al Hafidh Ibn Rajab (Rahimahullaah)

Commentary of Shaikha Anaaheed on the book