How to rectify your heart

Question:

How can one rectify the heart and safeguard it against impurities?

Answer:

Rectifying the heart and guarding it from impurities involves aligning one’s actions and beliefs. It entails having faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), correcting one’s conduct, and intensifying the remembrance (Dhikr) of Allah, as stated by Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ).

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ ٱلْقُلُوبُ ٢٨

Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh: verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest.

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ طُوبَىٰ لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَـَٔابٍۢ ٢٩

Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh – Islâmic Monotheism), and work righteousness, Tûbâ (all kinds of happiness or name of a tree in Paradise) is for them and a beautiful place of (final) return.

Surah Ra’ad Verse 28-29

Thus, one of the pathways to attaining happiness and nurturing a virtuous heart is by amplifying the remembrance of Allah. Conversely, neglecting this remembrance can lead to the heart becoming hardened. Moreover, indulging excessively in jesting, idle talk, and unproductive pursuits can also contribute to the hardening of the heart.