Islam has placed great emphasis on purifying the hearts. As a hadith by Prophet Mohammed (SAW) concerning the day of judgment, says: “Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth, but He looks to your heart and to your deeds.” Those with sound hearts, are also the best people in this world.
One of the first instructions Moses (peace be upon him) gave to Pharaoh was to purify his heart. ‘’Go to Pharaoh, for verily, he is a transgressor. Say to him ‘Will you purify yourself?’ (Quran, 79:17-18)
Ways to purify your heart…
1 - Be conscious of every deed and increase in small acts of kindness.
‘’He who created death and life to test you (as to) which of you is best in deed and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.’’ (Quran, 67:2)
2 - Let the Qur’an expand your day and increase it in blessings
‘’And this (Quran) is a book we have revealed which is blessed, so follow it and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.’’ (Quran, 6:155)
3 - Consciously make dhikr a daily habit and reap the fruits of remembrance
‘’The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, ‘Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Rabb, which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your enemies whom you will smite their necks and they will smite your necks? They said, “Certainly.’’ He (SAW) said, ‘’Remembrance of Allah the Exalted.’’ (At-Tirmidhi)
4 - Pay attention to/discipline your inner thoughts
‘’And we have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and we are closer to him than his jugular vein.’’ (Quran, 50:16)
‘’And conceal your speech or publicise it; indeed, He is knowing of that within the breasts.’’ (Quran, 67:13)
5 - Seek Allah’s forgiveness and constantly repent
“Verily, when the believer commits a sin, a black spot appears upon his heart and if he repents and abandons the sin, his heart will be polished. But if he increases in sin, the blackness increases.’’ ‘’Nay, but on their hearts is a covering because of what they have earned.’’ (Quran, 83:14)
6 - Express gratitude to Allah for His blessings upon you.
“Remember Me and I shall remember you. be grateful unto Me and deny Me not.’’ (Quran 2:152)
‘’Allah does not wish to impose hardship upon you. Rather, He wishes to purify you, and to complete his blessings upon you, and in order that you may be thankful.’’ (Quran 5:6)