THE DAILY SUNNAH

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In our pursuit of knowledge and understanding, we often overlook the importance of nurturing our spiritual hearts.

In the Quran, Allah reminds us that on the Day of Judgment, wealth or children will not benefit us, but rather a sound heart - a heart free from defects and spiritual blemishes.

The ancients, in various cultures and traditions, recognized the significance of the heart. Metaphors and expressions related to the heart hold deep meaning and understanding.

In Chinese medicine, the heart is seen as the house of the spirit.

In English, we use phrases like "hard-hearted," "warm-hearted," or "wearing our hearts on our sleeves."

The heart is the core of our being, the seat of emotions, courage, and love.

Islamic teachings emphasize the spiritual diseases of the heart, which are at the essence of our faith. The Quran defines three types of people:
1. those with alive hearts (al-anfus al-nawwama)
2. those whose hearts are dead (al-anfus al-ammara)
3. those with diseased hearts (al-anfus al-lawwama).

As the Quran describes, a sound heart is alive and connected to Allah.

Modern science has also shed light on the physical heart, revealing its remarkable capabilities.

The heart beats over a hundred thousand times daily, pumping gallons of blood through a vascular system over 60,000 miles. Even more astonishing is that the heart initiates its beat, independent of the brain's control. The heart has its intelligence, with over 30,000 neurons and two-way communication with the brain.

The heart is not merely a physical organ but a center of human consciousness.

While the brain is associated with reasoning and learning, the heart is the source of understanding and knowledge. Our actions and intentions are known to the heart, even when we try to conceal them. Our choices deeply affect the heart, leading to spiritual agitation when we go astray.

When we become disconnected from our hearts, we starve them of nourishment. Heedlessness and a preoccupation with worldly desires cause the heart to wither. We forget our essential nature, purpose, and ultimate concern, our relationship with Allah.

The heart longs for remembrance, for the stillness that comes from remembering our Creator.

The diseases of the heart are of two types:
1. diseases related to understanding (such as fear and doubt)
2. diseases related to desires (such as love for this ephemeral world).

A sound heart trusts in Allah completely and finds solace in His provision. It seeks companionship with people of goodness, engages in acts of worship, and exercises itself to remember Allah.

The Quran serves as a reminder to nourish and purify our hearts from diseases. Our hearts are born pure, but societal influences can lead us astray. Through the remembrance of Allah, through seeking knowledge and the company of the righteous, our hearts find tranquility and strength.

Let us not neglect the vital task of purifying our hearts.

By tending to our spiritual hearts, we can live a life connected to our Creator and find peace and contentment in this world and the next.

May Allah grant us the wisdom and strength to purify our hearts and bring us closer to Him.