Purification of the heart by Hamza Yusuf

Purification of the heart, by Hamza Yusuf

Signs, Syptoms and Cures of the spiritual diseases of the heart

Translation and Commentary of 

Imam al-Mawlud's Matharat al-Qulbi

This book offers an insightful introduction to one of the most ancient of religious concers: spiritual purification of the heart.

It takes the reader through a well-known text from the Muslim tradition, and gives an important commentary that is relevant to our day to people if a variety of religious experiences.

Salam everybody,

inshaAllah you are all doing very well. I am really sorry i did not post anything so far :D 

It is always like that, when you try to start a blog (FINALLY!) you suddenly get really busy. Anyway, thanks to my dearest friend pushing me to post something ("Hey you know i am waiting to read something from you on your blog :D ) I finally take the time to write something.

I am planning a series of Blog-posts which are going to give you a summary of the book "Purification of the heart" by Hamza Yusuf. I myself am very impressed by the book and its contents which is why I would love to share the knowledge of this amazing book with you. The book is purely based on a poem by Imam al-Mawlud. Hamza Yusuf gives a english translation of it and also comments on the meaning of the poem.

It contains all of the important "diseases of the heart"and explains them. 

Introduction to Purification

Poem Verses 1-8

I begin by starting with the heart of beginnings,

for it is the highest and noblest of beginnings.

Have courtesy with God, the High and the Majestic,

by practicing modesty and humility—

Dejected out of shame and humility

humbled in awe, imploring Him—

By giving up your designs for His,

emptied of covetousness for what His servants have,

By hastening to fulfill His commands, and by being wary

of the subtle encroachment of bad manners.

If you—the spiritual aspirant—realize your attributes of servitude,

you will then be assisted with something of the attributes

of the Eternally Besought.

Courtesy: the heart of purification

Imam Mawlud starts his poem with "courtesy", since courtesy is the portal to the purification of the heart. You first must have courtesy with God (behave properly with respect to HIS presence) if you want to ourify your heart. There are two very important qualities that are associated with courtesy: modesty (haya) and humilty (dhul).

One needs to acquire Haya, an internal sense of shame that includes bashfulness and modesty. Islam takes the level of shame to another level, while other cultures think of bringing shame upon oneself and the larger family, Islam teaches us to feel a sense of shame before God. This is associated with the knowledge and awareness that God is all-seeing of what you do - a permanent reality.

The other quality that is mentioned is to have dhul ( ~ being lowly, abject or humbled), which means being humbled in the august presents of God. 

Freedom and Purification 

Next Imam Mawlud mentions freedom, which is a result of realizing the qualities of shame and humility and therefor removing their opposit qualities (shamlessness and arrogance).

With shame and humilty one can gain true freedom, wealth and dignity. People in today's world claim to be "free" yet they cannot control themselves (be it in regard to food, shopping etc), such freedom is no real freedom. 

Imam al-Ghazali speaks in depth about the desires of our limbs and organs. He calls the stomach and genitals as the two "dominators". Once they are under control, all other aspects of desire are under control too. The tounge also is regarded as a big obstacle, as many people cannot stop themselves from backbiting etc.

If ones heart is safe, so are his limbs and organs, because in the heart lies the inspiration of all deeds.

"When man wakes up in the morning each day, all parts of the body warn the tongue saying, ‘Fear God as regards us for we are at your mercy; if you are upright, we will be upright and if you are crooked, we become crooked.’" (At-Tirmidhee)

The Purification Process

Purifying the heart is a process, not something you do within a day or so. The first step is to understand the necessitiy of having courtesy with God, and trying to fulfill its requierments. The second step is to learn about the diseases of the heart, to be aware of their existence and ailments.
The heart is a spiritual organ that need to be taken care of and looked after. As mentioned in the hadith:

Abu Hurairah (raa) narrated: Allah’s Messenger May peace be upon Him said : “When a slave (a person) commits a sin (an evil deed) a black dot is dotted on his heart. Then if that person gives up that evil deed (sin), begs Allah to forgive him, and repents, then his heart is cleared (from that heart covering dot); but if he repeats the evil deed (sin), then that covering is increased till his heart is completely covered with it. - At-Tirmidhi, Vol 5 , Hadith No: 3334

This means each time we commit a bad deed, we are in danger of "blackening" our hearts if we do not step in immediately and ask God for forgivness. 
It is very interesting that Imam Mawlud says it is impossible to ever rid oneself from these diseases 100%. Therefore the purification of the heart is a lifelong process, something we always have to strive for. 

I hope you are inshaAllah benefiting from this posts.
Till the next time, take good care

Salma