The keys to the life of the heart lie in reflecting upon the Qur'an, being humble before Allah in secret, and leaving sins. – Ibn Al-Qayyim (Hadi Al-Arwah Ila Bilad Al-Afrah, pg.45) Allah said: “A Book which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may take heed.” (Qur'an, 38:29) SO Allah informed us that He sent down this Great Qur'an, blessed in its wording, meaning, commands, prohibitions and regulations. Among its blessings is that whoever recites even one word of it has a reward, and this reward is increased tenfold, as mentioned in the Hadith reported by Al-Tirmidhi. Also, the one who reads it and acts upon it will not be misguided in this world, nor will fall into distress or misery in the Hereafter, as Ibn Abbas said so in the commentary to the following verse: “Whoever follows My guidance shall neither go astray nor fall into distress and misery.” (Qur'an, 20:123) Among the blessings of the Qur'an is that whoever learns it and teaches it, is from among the best of people, as mentioned in the Hadith reported by Al-Bukhari: “The best of you is the one who learns the Qur'an and then teaches it.” (Al-Bukhari, 6/501 no. 545) The Qur'an will also be an intercessor on the Day of Judgement for its companions who used to act by it in this world as mentioned in two narrations of Sahih Muslim (2/385, no. 1757-59). Allah informed us that He revealed the Qur'an so that its meanings, commands and prohibitions may be reflected over. If one were to come across a verse commanding something, he should obey the command; if the verse forbids something, he should desist from it; if it was concerning the Mercy of Allah then he should hope for this Mercy and ask for it; if the verse threatened with a punishment then he should fear it and seek refuge with Allah from it; if the verse was about glorification of Allah then he should glorify Allah. By doing so, faith, knowledge, guidance and piety will increase. Allah said about the believers: “And when His verses are recited unto them, they increase their faith.” (Qur'an, 8:2) Allah also said: Do they not ponder over the Qur'an or are there locks upon their hearts? (Qur'an, 47:24) Among the ways of giving life to the heart is to be humble to Allah in secret. Meaning to desire and long for Allah through du'a, seeking forgiveness, turning to Him, asking for help and support, Paradise and shelter from Hellfire at the time when Allah descends to the lowest Heaven in the last third of the night, as mentioned in the authentic Hadith: “Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven when a third of the night remains, saying: Who is supplicating to Me that I may answer him? Who is asking of Me that I may give him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me that I may forgive him?” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) This Hadith contains encouragement to stand in the last part of the night, praying, making du'a, and asking for forgiveness, Paradise and release from the fire of Hell. Indeed Allah commanded us to make du'a and promised to accept Allah, who is far removed from imperfection, does not violate His promises. Leaving sins is also another way of giving life to the heart, as mentioned in the Hadith: “When the servant performs a sin a black spot appears on his heart, and if he seeks forgiveness this black spot is removed, and if he returns to sin the black spot grows until his heart becomes black, and this is the ‘Raan' about which Allah said, ‘Nay! But on their hearts is the covering of sins (raan) which they used to earn.'” (Qur'an, 83:14) (An-Nasa'i and Al-Tirmidhi) A poet said, “I saw sins killing the hearts, breeding ignominy due to their addiction. And in the desisting from sins lies its life and it is best for your soul that you preserve it.” – Al
