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The ultimate success on the Day of Judgment will not be based on wealth, status, or lineage, but on the purity of the heart. Allah emphasizes this in the Qur'an:

"إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ"
"Except for he who comes to Allah with a sound heart." (Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:89)

A Qalb Salīm (sound heart) is one that is free from spiritual diseases such as arrogance, hypocrisy, envy, malice, and excessive attachment to worldly desires. It is a heart that is sincere in its devotion to Allah, filled with love, trust, and submission to Him.

Ramadan: The Best Time to Cultivate a Sound Heart

Ramadan is not just a month of fasting—it is an intensive purification process for the heart. It is a time when:

✅ The desires of the nafs are restrained, allowing the heart to regain its spiritual clarity.
✅ Dhikr and Qur'an soften the heart, removing its hardness.
✅ Acts of worship (prayer, fasting, and charity) realign our focus to Allah.
✅ Forgiveness and generosity cleanse the heart from grudges and ill feelings.

This month is a golden opportunity to work towards attaining a Qalb Salīm, because the Shayṭān is chained, and our spiritual consciousness is heightened.

The Background of the Verse

This verse is part of the supplication and teachings of Prophet Ibrahim عليه السلام. He, the father of the Prophets, prayed for a sound heart and warned that on the Day of Judgment:

وَلَا تُخْزِنِي يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ (87) يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ (88) إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ (89)

"And do not disgrace me on the Day when they will be resurrected. (87) The Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit. (88) Except for he who comes to Allah with a sound heart." (89)
(Surah Ash-Shu’ara 26:87-89)

From this, we learn that true success in the Hereafter is not based on external achievements but on the purity of one's heart.

Imam Al-Qurṭubī, in his tafsir, highlights multiple interpretations of what constitutes a sound heart:

A Heart Free from Shirk and Doubt, A Heart Rooted in Faith, A Heart Free from Innovation (Bid‘ah),  A Heart That is Like a Wounded One, Always in Fear of Allah, A Heart Free from Material Obsession, A Heart That is Pure and Simple

A Heart That Earns Jannah

The Prophet ﷺ described the people of Jannah as those with soft, pure hearts, free from arrogance and deceit.The Prophet ﷺ said:

"The people of Jannah will be those whose hearts are like the hearts of birds."
(Sahih Muslim, 2840)

Imam An-Nawawi رحمه الله explains that this refers to people who have pure hearts, full of trust in Allah, free from deception and malice—just as birds live without hoarding and with full reliance on their Creator.

The Path to a Sound Heart: Purifying the Soul from Malice and Ill Feelings

The Qalb Salīm (sound heart) is not merely free from disbelief and doubt but also from the diseases that corrupt relationships, such as envy, hatred, and arrogance. The Prophet ﷺ was asked about the best type of person, and he responded:

"Every person with a truthful tongue and a heart that is clean (Makhmūm al-Qalb)."

The companions asked, "We understand a truthful tongue, but what is a Makhmūm heart?"

He replied:
"It is a heart that is pious, pure, with no sin, no transgression, no hatred, and no envy." (Ahmad)

This hadith defines a truly purified heart—a heart that is at peace with both its Creator and His creation.

A Clean Heart is Key to Acceptable Deeds

A sound heart is not just an asset on the Day of Judgment—it is a requirement for acceptance of good deeds in this life. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Deeds are presented to Allah every Monday and Thursday, and Allah forgives every servant who does not associate anything with Him—except for two people who have hatred between them.

It is said: 'Delay their forgiveness until they reconcile.'" (Muslim)

How many opportunities for forgiveness do we lose because of holding grudges?
How many blessings are delayed because we refuse to purify our hearts?

Forgiving others and cleansing our hearts is not just about being kind—it is about ensuring that our good deeds reach Allah unblocked.

The People of Jannah Are Those With Clean Hearts

Allah describes the people of Jannah as those who have been purified from hatred and resentment:

"And We will remove whatever is in their hearts of resentment; beneath them rivers will flow." (Surah Al-A’raf 7:43)

"And We will remove from their hearts ill-feelings—[so they will be] brothers, seated on thrones facing each other." (Surah Al-Ḥijr 15:47)

A Sound Heart Begins with Good Assumptions About Others

ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

"Let no one convey to me anything negative about any of my companions, for I love to meet you with a heart free from ill feelings." (Abū Dāwūd)

This hadith reflects the Prophet’s ﷺ commitment to maintaining a pure heart—one free from unnecessary resentment, prejudgment, or negativity. He deliberately avoided hearing negative reports about others, ensuring that his interactions were based on fairness, love, and sincerity.

One of the greatest ways to purify the heart is to avoid negative assumptions and misinterpretations of people’s words and actions.

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه said:
"Never assume evil about a statement from your believing brother when you can find a positive interpretation for it."

Imam Ash-Shāfiʿī رحمه الله said:
"Whoever wants Allah to grant him goodness should have a good opinion of people."

Forgiveness and Overlooking Mistakes: A Mark of a Sound Heart

A major part of maintaining a Qalb Salīm is learning to forgive, overlook faults, and not hold onto resentment. Judging others for each and every thing is not a sign of a sound heart.

The Scholars Teach:

• "Seek seventy excuses for your brother before judging him."
• Ibn Sīrīn رحمه الله said: "If you hear something bad about your brother, find an excuse for him. If you cannot, then say: ‘Perhaps he has an excuse I am unaware of.’"
• One of the best qualities of a noble person is to let go of grudges and forgive.

If someone wrongs you, forgive them for the sake of Allah.
If someone speaks ill of you, do not let it settle in your heart.
If someone disappoints you, find an excuse for them.

True believers do not waste their energy in resentment. They focus on what benefits their hearts and brings them closer to Allah.

The Secret to Paradise: A Heart Free from Malice

A hadith narrated by Anas ibn Malik  رضي الله عنه reveals the secret of a man whom the Prophet  ﷺ  testified as one of the people of Jannah while he was still alive.

The Story: The Man of Paradise

One day, the Companions were sitting with the Prophet ﷺ, and he said:

"A man from the people of Jannah will now enter."

At that moment, a man from the Anṣār walked in, his beard still wet from wudu, carrying his sandals in his left hand.

The same incident repeated on the second day, and then on the third day, with the same man entering each time.

Seeing this, ʿAbdullah ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ رضي الله عنه wanted to discover the secret behind this man’s guaranteed place in Jannah.

He requested to stay with him for three nights, hoping to find out what special acts of worship he was doing.

 But to his surprise, he found that the man did not engage in excessive prayer at night, nor in long fasting or extraordinary acts of worship.

After three days, ʿAbdullah رضي الله عنه felt disappointed. He finally confessed:

"O servant of Allah, I did not have any dispute with my father (means for staying with you during these nights). But I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say three times that you are among the people of Jannah. So, I wanted to see what special deeds you do so I could follow you. But I have not seen you do anything great. What is your secret?"

The man humbly responded:

"I do nothing more than what you saw."

Just as ʿAbdullah was about to leave, the man called him back and revealed the secret:

"Except that I do not keep any grudge or hatred towards any Muslim, and I do not envy anyone for the blessings that Allah has given them."

Hearing this, ʿAbdullah رضي الله عنه realized the weight of this practice, and he said:

"This is what has elevated you to that status, and this is what we find difficult to do!"

This man of Jannah did not achieve his status through excessive rituals, but through the purity of his heart—a heart that was:

✅ Free from grudges
✅ Free from envy
✅ At peace with others
✅ Content with what Allah had given him and others

This was his ticket to Jannah, and this is what the majority of us struggle with.

The Best of the Early Generations Were Known for Their Purity of Heart

The Qur'an praises the Anṣār (helpers of the Prophet ﷺ) because they had no jealousy or ill feelings towards others:

"And those who had settled in the city and embraced the faith before them love those who immigrated to them and find no desire in their hearts for what the immigrants have been given. They give preference to them over themselves, even if they are in hardship. And whoever is saved from the greed of his soul—it is they who will be successful." (Surah Al-Ḥashr 59:9)

This verse teaches us two major lessons:

✅ True believers do not feel resentment towards others’ success or blessings.
✅ A sound heart is built on generosity, selflessness, and contentment with Allah’s decree.

Khalid ibn al-Walid رضي الله عنه – The great military commander was at the height of his victories when ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه dismissed him as leader. Yet, he showed no resentment. He did not question the decision, complain, or leave the battlefield. Instead, he continued fighting as a soldier, serving Islam with the same dedication.

 Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما – He once said:

"When I hear that rain has fallen on a land of the Muslims, I feel joy, even though I have no livestock there."

His happiness was not tied to personal benefit, but to the well-being of his fellow Muslims—a reflection of a pure heart.

Abu Dujānah رضي الله عنه – When people visited him on his deathbed, they saw his face glowing with light. When asked about it, he said:

"There are two things I hold onto: I never spoke about what did not concern me, and my heart was always pure towards my fellow Muslims."

ʿUlbah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه – When the Prophet ﷺ encouraged charity, he had nothing to give. That night, he cried and made a heartfelt duʿā’:

"O Allah, I have nothing to give in charity, so I forgive every Muslim who has ever wronged me in wealth, body, or honor."

The next day, the Prophet ﷺ asked:

"Where is the one who gave charity with his honor last night?"

ʿUlbah stood up, and the Prophet ﷺ said:

"Rejoice! By the One in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, your charity has been accepted."

 Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal رحمه الله – He was beaten and imprisoned under the rule of Caliph al-Muʿtaṣim for defending the truth. When the Caliph died and people came to treat his wounds, he made duʿā’ for his oppressor instead of cursing him:

"O Allah, forgive al-Muʿtaṣim."

This is the purity of a sound heart—holding no grudges, forgiving, and wishing well for others, even those who wronged them.

Even the later generations of believers are taught to pray for a heart free from hatred:

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلّاً لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَؤُوفٌ رَحِيمٌ

"And those who come after them say: 'Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not place in our hearts any resentment towards those who have believed. Indeed, Our Lord, You are the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.'" (Surah Al-Ḥashr 59:10)

A person with a pure heart does not carry old grudges. Instead, he prays for the well-being of others.

Are We Ready to Meet Allah With a Sound Heart?

A Qalb Salīm (sound heart) is not about how much we know or we earn but about how much we purify our souls.

Do we let go of grudges easily, or do we hold onto them for years?
Do we genuinely feel happy for others' success, or do we feel envious?
Do we clean our hearts before sleeping, forgiving those who wronged us?

Remember, the Sound Heart Leads to Jannah

"إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ"
"Except for he who comes to Allah with a sound heart." (Surah Ash-Shu'ara 26:89)

May Allah grant us the ability to purify our hearts and meet Him with a Qalb Salīm. ????