Almighty Allah created us as complete human beings and He controls all the systems working in our bodies. All the human body parts play an important role in the overall functioning of the body. One part of the body holds spiritual importance as well. Are you able to guess that part of the body? If you're thinking about heart then you're right.
The heart is not only a circulatory organ but also the center of human emotions and feelings. The heart represents our "inner self". It depicts an inner version of ourselves. As heart holds spiritual importance, there are a lot of textual references and Islamic teaching about its purification.
If your shirt is dirty, what do you do? Do you leave it absorbing more and more dirt or wash it to reuse? I think you clean it. Similarly, Allah created us and we were pure as white milk at the time of creation. But, later on, our hearts started absorbing negativities and now there is a need to make it purified and clear crystal.
How is it possible? Islam is a complete code of life and guides the process of purification. To your surprise, there are more than forty Hadith about heart. So, you can estimate how much important this topic is according to Quran and Hadith.
"The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children but only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart."
A sound heart is a promise of future success in life hereafter. A man is the viceregent of Allah on this Earth and he will be answerable to Allah about his actions in this world. These answers will be about your inner self which is your heart. Hence, its purification is the most necessary action.
Here arises the question that how to purify your heart? There is no new process of purification. It is just a revision and a reconnection with Almighty Allah. Now, let's discuss the steps of purification of heart and soul.
First of all, you should repent. Repentance is a gentle action. When you go in front of Allah and repent for your mistakes, He shows his Rehmah. This action of repentance also has a positive influence on you. Before repentance, one needs a realization of his sins, and it's Allah who realizes us and then gives us taufeeq of repentance.
"O people, seek repentance from Allah. Verily, I seek repentance from Him a hundred times a day."
In addition to repentance, you should offer your prayers regularly on the time. Offering prayer five times a day means you are connecting yourself back to Allah. Salah prevents you from sins and stops your enemy Shaytan.
"He who purified himself shall prosper, remembering his Lord's name and praying".
Therefore, the one who keeps praying and keeps asking forgiveness through Salah is following the journey of heart purification. In addition to this, you should pay attention to your inner thoughts. When you are consciously evaluating yourself, you are trying to keep yourself connected to Allah. It keeps you away from hatred and immoral thoughts.
"We verily created man and We know what his soul whispereth to him, and We are nearer to him than his jugular vein." ( Chapter 50 Verse 16)
Furthermore, you should read Quran daily. It is a word of Allah and has a soothing effect. You should develop a routine of recitation even if you recite one or two pages or a few lines. When we read Quran, learn about Islam, connect to Allah, and get a reminder of avoiding sins.
"The ones who have believed and whose hearts (feel) composed with the Remembrance of Allah -verily in the Remembrance of Allah the hearts are composed".
Another way of purifying your heart is to give charity. Giving something away from your Rizq for the sake of Allah connects you with Allah. Furthermore, it stops you from loving materialistic things over non-materialistic ones. Your love and greed for money can lead you away from Allah and detract you from the journey of purification of heart and soul. In addition to this, you should increase other acts of kindness that help you to keep a connection to the people for Almighty Allah.
"Every good is charity. Indeed among the good is to meet your brother with a smiling face, and to pour what is left in your bucket into the vessel of your brother."
All the necessary actions taught by Holy Prophet are a way to purify our heart and soul. We just need to perform all the actions with a sincere intention.
