NAFS
TAZKIYAH AN NAFS
Class 4
NAFS AL MUTMA’INNAH
The Soul at Peace - What brings the heart to rest
The Empty Heart
Our generation has more comfort than any generation before us: soft beds, fast food, endless entertainment, apps for sleep and apps for calm. And yet anxiety, loneliness and sleepless nights are everywhere.
We have learned how to make the body comfortable. We have forgotten how to make the heart at rest.
In Class 1 we met the soul at peace, an-nafs al-muṭma'innah. In Class 2 we found the diseases that disturb it. In Class 3 we learned to check ourselves and return. Today we ask the main question: where does real peace come from?
What Peace Is, and What It Is Not
"O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing to Him." (Surah al-Fajr 89:27–28)
Many people think a peaceful life is a life without problems. But the Prophet ﷺ had more problems than any of us: he lost his parents, his children, his wife Khadijah, and his uncle; he was mocked, hunted and pushed out of his city. And yet his heart was the most at peace of all people.
So peace is not the absence of problems. Peace is a heart that is settled with Allah, whatever happens around it.
The Prophet ﷺ said, "How wonderful is the affair of the believer! All of it is good for him, and this is for no one except the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful, and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he is patient, and that is good for him." (Sahih Muslim)
Ibn Taymiyyah lived this. He was imprisoned many times and died in a prison cell in Damascus. His student Ibn al-Qayyim reports that he used to say: What can my enemies do to me? My paradise and my garden are in my heart. Wherever I go, they are with me. My imprisonment is a time alone with my Lord, my killing would be martyrdom, and my exile would be a journey.
Ibn al-Qayyim adds that when the students felt afraid and the world felt tight around them, they would go to visit him, and just by seeing him and hearing his words, their fear would leave. A man in chains was giving peace to free men. So where did it come from? Today we look at four sources.
FOUR SOURSES OF PEACE
The First Source: Remembering Allah
Allah says, "Those who believe, and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Truly, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find rest." (Surah ar-Ra'd 13:28)
Notice the word Allah uses: taṭma'innu, "find rest." It is the same root as muṭma'innah, the soul at peace. The road to the tranquil soul runs through dhikr.
اذكروا الله ذكرا كثيرا
Remember Allah with much remembrance. (Al-Ahzaab:41)
Ali ibn Abi Talhah reported that Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with them both) stated regarding this statement of Allah The Most High.
Verily, Allah did not obligate an obligation upon his servants except that he legislated a fixed limit for it (e.g. obligatory prayers are a fixed with set number of raka’aat, obligatory fasts of Ramadhan are one month every calendar year), and then excused its performers when they are in a situation when they are excused (traveller, sick etc), except in the case of dhikr (remembrance of Allah) for indeed Allah did not legislate a limit for it and nor is a person excused for abandoning it, except when compelled. Allah said,
remember Allah standing, sitting down, and (lying down) on your sides (An-Nisaa:103)
And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and ‘Asr prayers]. (Al-Ahzaab:42)
Ibn Taymiyyah said, Dhikr for the heart is like water for a fish. So what is the state of a fish when it leaves the water? Ibn Taymiyyah, reported by Ibn al-Qayyim in al-Wābil aṣ-Ṣayyib
We often treat the restless feeling inside us as a problem to escape: more scrolling, more noise, more distraction. But the restlessness is often the fish jumping on dry land. The heart is not asking for more noise. It is asking to go home.
Regret of not making Dhikr
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No people sit in a gathering in which they do not remember Allah, and do not send blessings upon their Prophet, except that it will be a regret for them on the Day of Resurrection”. (Tirmidhi, sahih)
“There is no time in which the son of Aadam does not remember AIIaah in it, except that it will be a source of regret for him on the Day of Judgement” (Bayhaqi; Hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani)
“The people of Paradise will not have any regrets except for those moments in which they were not engaged in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah.” [Saheeh: Related by lbnus-Sunnee in ‘Aml al-Yawma wal-Laylah).
Mu’aadh ibn Jabal also relates that Allaah’s Messenger ﷺ was asked: What action is the most beloved to Allaah? So he ﷺ replied: “That you continue to keep your tongue moist with the dhikr of Allaah, until you die.” [Hasan: Related by lbn Hibbaan (no.2318). It was authenticated by Shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee in Saheeh al-Waabilus-Sayyib (p.80)]
And the Prophet ﷺ said, "The example of the one who remembers his Lord and the one who does not is like the living and the dead." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Polish of the Heart
The Prophet ﷺ said, “For everything there is a polish, and the polish for the hearts is the dhikr (remembrance) of Allaah. There is nothing more potent in saving a person from the punishment of Allaah than the dhikr of Allaah.” It was said: Not even Jihaad in the path of Allaah. So he replied: “Not even if you were to continue striking with your sword until it breaks.” (Ahmad; authenticated by al-Albaani)
There is no doubt that hearts becomes rusty just as copper and silver coins become rusty. The polish for [this rust] is the dhikr of AIlaah. This is because [dhikr] is like a polish [which polishes the heart] like a shiny mirror. When dhikr is left, the rust returns. But when dhikr resumes, then the heart is [again] polished. And hearts become rusty due to two things:-
(i) Neglecting remembering Allaah, and
(ii) Committing sins.
The polish for these two things is:
(i) seeking Allaah’s forgiveness and
(ii) dhikr.
Some Benefits of Dhikr
Ibn al-Qayyim wrote a whole book, al-Wābil aṣ-Ṣayyib, on the benefits of dhikr. Among them, he says, dhikr removes worry and sadness from the heart, brings it joy and lightness, and makes it alive. And it costs nothing: no money, no special place, no special time.
1. Dhikr brings joy, happiness and relaxation in the heart of a person.
It makes the heart calm and tranquil, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: “Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest”. (Surah Ar-Ra’d. Aayah 28).
2. Protects from Shaytaan.
Allaah said: “And whosoever turns away (blinds himself) from the remembrance of the Most Beneficent (Allah) (i.e. this Qur’an and worship of Allah), We appoint for him Shaitan (Satan – devil) to be a Qarin (an intimate companion) to him”. [Surah Az-Zukhruf. Aayah 36]
A person is not able to protect himself from shaytaan except through remembrance of Allaah and this one of the magnificent benefits of Dhikr.
3. When a person remembers Allaah, Allaah remembers him.
Allaah said: “Therefore remember Me [through acts of obedience], I will remember you [by forgiving you”. (Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 152)
The Prophet ﷺ said that Allaah says, “Whoever remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than them.” (Sahih Bukhaari)
4. It prevents one from committing sins, wipes away sins and saves a person from Allaah’s punishment.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “The son of Aadam never performs an act that brings grants him safety from Allaah’s punishment more than the remembrance of Allaah [The Exalted].” (Saheeh Al-Jaami. Number 5633)
5. It earns a person Allaah’s favour
The Messenger of Allahﷺ said: “The Mufarridoon have gone ahead.” He was asked, “Who are the Mufarridoon?” He ﷺ replied, “Those men and women who remember Allaah much.“ (Sahih Muslim).
6. It is a light for the person in this Dunyah, in his grave and in the hereafter.
Allaah [The Exalted] said: “Is he who was dead (without Faith by ignorance and disbelief) and We gave him life (by knowledge and Faith) and set for him a light (of Belief) whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness (of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy) from which he can never come out? (Surah Al-An’aam Aayah 122)
7. A person earns Allaah’s blessings, forgiveness, praise and benevolence] and the angels [supplicate for him and ask Allaah to forgive him].
Allaah said: “O you who believe! Remember Allaah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and ‘Asr prayers]. He it is Who sends [blessings, forgiveness, praise and benevolence] on you, and His angels too [supplicate for you and ask Allaah to forgive you], that He may bring you out from darkness [of disbelief and polytheism] into light [of Belief and Islamic Monotheism]. And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers”. (Surah Al-Ahzaab. Aayaat 41-43)
Please join our free online certificate course “DHIKR”, to learn more about various adhkaar, virtues, rulings and the fiqh of Dhikr. https://learn-islam.org/dhikr (available online now, register and learn).
Note these are not part of the ongoing course, it is an independent course that can be done at your own pace and at your own convenience.
The Second Source: Prayer as Rest
Salah: is a garden of ‘ibaadaat (acts of worship), in which every splendid type of worship is found. There is the takbeer, by which the prayer is initiated, the standing in which the person praying recites the words of Allaah, the bowing in which he extols his Lord, the rising from the bowing position, which is filled with the praising of Allaah, the prostration in which he glorifies Allaah by His highness and in which he implores him through supplication, the sitting in which there is the tashahhud and (more) supplication and the closing with tasleem.
The prayer is one of the most beautiful acts of worship. When one does his tasleem to end the prayer, there is a certain sense of serenity. Ibn Al-Jawzi said about the prayer: “We are in a garden, where our food is khushoo’ (devotion), and our drink is the tears that flow.”
Salah: is a means of support and assistance in times of distress and grief. And it prevents one from evil and shameful deeds. Allaah says: “Seek assistance in patience and prayer.” And He says: “Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book and establish the prayer. Verily, the prayer prevents one from evil and shameful deeds.”
Salah purifies the soul, refines the character and inculcates in man the excellent virtues of truthfulness, honesty and modesty. It keeps one who performs it from falsehood and from all forbidden actions as is categorically confirmed by the following verse of the Qur'an: “Verily, prayer refrains from indecency and evil” (Qur'an 29:45).
When the time for prayer came, the Prophet ﷺ would say to Bilal R.A.: "O Bilal, call the iqamah. Give us rest by it." (Sunan Abi Dawud 4985, sahih)
Many of us say the opposite. We feel: "Let me finish this prayer so I can rest." For him, prayer was the rest. He ﷺ also said, "The coolness of my eyes has been placed in prayer" (Sunan an-Nasa'i 3939, hasan).
And look at this beautiful link. When a man prayed quickly and badly, the Prophet ﷺ told him three times, "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." Then he taught him: bow until you are at rest in your bowing, stand until you are straight, prostrate until you are at rest in your prostration (Bukhari & Muslim). The word he used is again from ṭuma'nīnah.
Peace in the prayer is not a bonus. It is a pillar. A prayer rushed like a chore cannot give the heart rest. A prayer prayed properly, with each position given its moment, is where many believers have found the calm they were searching for everywhere else.
Please join our free online certificate course(s) mentioned below , to learn to learn more about the Fiqh, rulings, pillars, waajibaat, Sunnahs of Salah and to learn about the spiritual side of each of the movements in Salah, to get out of Autopilot mode and make it more heartfelt. (available online now, register and learn).
Note these are not part of the ongoing course, it is an independent course that can be done at your own pace and at your own convenience.
“ESSENTIALS OF SALAH” : https://learn-islam.teachable.com/p/essentials-of-salah
“ENJOY YOUR SALAH” : https://learn-islam.org/enjoy-your-salah
The Third Source: Sincerity (Ikhlāṣ)
One of the biggest thieves of peace is living for people's eyes. What will they think? Did they like it? Did they notice? Why didn't they reply? A heart that lives for people can never rest, because people are never fully pleased and never pleased for long.
The Prophet ﷺ warned that the first people judged on the Day of Judgement include a man who fought and died, a man who learned and taught Qur'an, and a man who gave a lot in charity. All three did great deeds, and all three are thrown into the Fire, because they did them so that people would say "brave," "scholar," "generous". And people did say it. That was their whole reward (Sahih Muslim 1905).
He ﷺ also said, "What I fear most for you is the minor shirk." They asked, "What is the minor shirk, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Showing off (riyā')." (Musnad Ahmad 23630, sahih)
Sincerity is not easy, even for the greatest. Sufyan ath-Thawri said: "I have never dealt with anything harder than my own intention, because it keeps turning on me." So do not be surprised if your intention keeps changing. Just keep correcting it.
The Fourth Source: Contentment and tawakkul
The last thief of peace is the heart that is attached to too many things, and wants control over all of them.
Ibn al-Jawzi makes a simple but deep observation in his chapter on grief: whoever has many things that he loves, his grief increases, and whoever reduces the things he loves, his grief decreases. Every new attachment is another door through which sadness can enter. This is not a call to own nothing. It is a call to hold things in your hand, not in your heart.
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Richness is not having many possessions. Real richness is the richness of the soul." (Bukhari & Muslim)
And when the heart is worried about the future, the medicine is tawakkul, trusting Allah: "And whoever relies upon Allah, then He is enough for him." (Surah at-Talaq 65:3)
The Prophet ﷺ taught the young Ibn 'Abbas: "Know that if the whole nation gathered to benefit you with something, they could only benefit you with what Allah has already written for you" (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2516, sahih). When you truly believe this, you still plan and you still work hard, but you stop carrying the weight of results that were never yours to carry.
The Mirror
When I feel restless, what do I usually reach for first: my phone, food, people, or Allah?
When did prayer last feel like rest to me, and not like a task?
Whose opinion do I worry about the most? How much of my peace is in their hands?
Which good deed would I still do if no one ever found out?
What worry am I carrying today that belongs to Allah, not to me?
Tazkiyah in Practice: This Week
Guard the morning and evening adhkar
Pray with Khushoo
One hidden deed a day
اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو، فَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
"O Allah, it is Your mercy that I hope for. So do not leave me to my own soul even for the blink of an eye, and set right all my affairs. There is no god but You." (Sunan Abi Dawud 5090, hasan)
Do not leave me to my own soul. After four classes about the nafs, we understand this line better. Left alone, the nafs commands, blames, and wanders. Only with Allah does it find rest.
Next class: The Journey of the Soul, from this world to meeting Allah.
TIPS FOR THE TEST
Do not have to memorise the ayahs or hadeeths word for word and their references, but remember their meanings and the msg being given.
Remember the what brings peace.
ASSIGNMENT
There will be an Assignment Question asked in the Test. Marks will be given based on the following: -
I. Invite atleast 10 people to the course (can invite via WhatsApp, Facebook, Email, telegram or word of mouth) 4 Marks. (check the note below for exceptions)
Note:
Those who have already invited whether on Whatsapp, Email or FB, do not need to invite again.
It does not matter, whether people join or not, our job is to invite.
II. Talk to 3 people (friends or family) about any three topics from the course - (5 Marks)
III. Pray for the Ummah, pray for the ease of all the poor & oppressed Muslims and Maghfirah of the Muslims who passed away. Pray that Allah make us all strong in imaan and give us the hidayah to work for the aakhirah and to help each other. - 1 Mark
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