(24) Towards Salvation of the Heart. Part (3)
Today, I will discuss two types of evil hearts that we must avoid.
A- The Polytheist’s heart
B- The Hypocrite’s heart
A- The Polytheist’s heart
The Polytheist’s heart is sealed and closed. The Polytheist does not listen to the truth and does not accept Allah’s guidance.
Allah (SWT) said describing such people: “Verily, those who disbelieve, it is the same to them whether you (O Muhammad Peace be upon him) warn them or do not warn them, they will not believe. Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearings, (i.e. they are closed from accepting Allah’s Guidance), and on their eyes there is a covering. Theirs will be a great torment.” (Al-Baqara, 6-7)
No doubt the polytheists make a heavy cover over their hearts, preventing them from receiving or understanding the Islamic message. The polytheist’s heart sees only what is visible material and is ignorant about the deeper matters.
Allah (SWT) said: (Say (O Muhammad PBUH): “‘I am but a man like you: it is revealed to me by inspiration, that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God – Allah), so take the Straight Path unto Him (with true Faith) and seek forgiveness of Him.’ And woe to Al-Mushrikoon (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, idolaters).” (Fussilat, 6)
Allah (SWT) said: “They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigating or sowing or reaping, etc.), and they are heedless of the Hereafter.” (Ar-Rum, 7)
The polytheist’s hearts gathers many sins and bad deeds that cause thick layers of evil rust on their hearts. The only way to cleanse this rust is the true faith in Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) said: “Nay! But on their hearts is the Ran (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn.” (Al-Mutaffifeen, 14)
The initial action of pagan’s heart is connected to results of good or bad deed actions. Allah (SWT) said: “So when they turned away (from the Path of Allah), Allah turned their hearts away (from the Right Path). And Allah guides not the people who are Fasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allah.” (As-Saff, 5)
Allah (SWT) said: “nay, Allah has set a seal upon their hearts because of their disbelief, so they believe not but a little.” (An-Nisaa, 155)
Their behavior and life styles are the results of closed hearts and prevents them from hearing the Truth and following Allah’s guidance.
B- The hypocrite’s heart.
Allah (SWT) describes polytheists in two verses in the Quran. Allah (SWT) describes hypocrites in thirteen verses for their dangerous acts. They disguise themselves as good Muslims in front of the people and they hide their polytheistic hearts. In other words, they do not mean what they say.
Allah (SWT) said: “And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day’ while in fact they believe not. They (think to) deceive Allah and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies.” (Al-Baqara, 8-10)
Allah (SWT) said: “They say with their tongues what is not in their hearts.” (Al-Fath, 11)
Allah (SWT) said: “And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you (O Muhammad PBUH), in this worldly life, and he calls Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart, yet he is the most quarrelsome of the opponents. And when he turns away (from you, O Muhammad PBUH), his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle, and Allah likes not mischief. And when it is said to him, ‘Fear Allah’, he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. So enough for him is Hell, and worst indeed is that place to rest!” (Al-Baqara, 204-206)
The ill heart of hypocrites and their sinful actions will reflect on their friends, causing them anxiety, instability, and confusion, and will even leave them without peaceful hearts or happiness.
This hypocrisy is of two types:
- a) The hypocrisy is the believe in the person heart. This person will enter hell-fire permanently. Allah (SWT) said: “Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire; no helper will you find for them.” (An-Nisaa, 145)
- b) The hypocrisy is both a bad habit and a great sin. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “There are three characteristics of a hypocrite: if he speaks, he lies; if he promises something, he will break his promise; and if he is entrusted with something, he will violate the trust.” (Muslim, 39).
Some people may have one or two hypocritical acts and this puts them in danger if they do not suppress these ill and bad behaviors.
Allah (SWT) said: “Except those who repent (from hypocrisy), do righteous good deeds, hold fast to Allah, and purify their religion for Allah (by worshipping none but Allah, and do good for Allah sake only, not to show-off), then they will be with the believers. And Allah will grant to the believers a great reward.” (An-Nisaa, 146)
This is a short summary about the polytheist’s and hypocrite’s heart. Next time, I will discuss in details how to cure sick hearts in Islam.
We invoke Allah to purify our hearts from polytheism, doubt, and hypocrisy.
Written by: Dr. Ahmed Shaheen
Professor in Al-Azhar University
And Islamic American University
Translated by: Abdullah Zettili
