PURIFICATION OF THE SOUL

The root of all sins is the hardness of the heart. When the heart becomes hard, then the person becomes carefree and does not think of Allah Ta’ala. This gives rise to undesirable character in the heart which, from time to time, attracts the person to bestiality. 

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has illustrated/made clear it in a Hadith where he said: "Certainly, there is a piece of flesh in the human body. When it is corrupted, the entire body becomes corrupted. When it is reformed, the entire body is reformed. Without doubt, it is the heart." (Bukhari)

Therefore, abstention of sins cannot be achieved without purifying and cleansing the heart. The purification of the heart becomes a reality by the help and the Tawfeeq of Allah Ta’ala which are generally acquired by remaining in the company of pious people. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:"A person adopts the character of his close friend. Therefore, everyone should see (be careful)  who he is befriending." (Ahmad, Baihaqi and Daar Qutni)

[English version of "Purification de l’ame" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.1]