Purification Of The Heart

The Noble ‘Allaamah Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:

Have (great) concern oh brother for the purification of your heart before the purification of your body parts. How many people pray, fast, give charity, and perform Hajj but the person’s heart is corrupt?! Here are the Khawaarij. The Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned about them that they pray, fast, give charity, recite the Qur’aan, stand at night in prayer, they cry, they make Tahajjud, and it was such that the companion (of the Prophet) would consider his prayer insignificant in comparison to their prayer. However the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said (about them), “Their faith doesn’t go past their collarbones,” meaning that the faith doesn’t enter into their hearts. This is the case along with them rectifying that which is outward. However it didn’t benefit them. Therefore do not be deceived by the uprightness of your body parts, and look at your heart before everything. I ask Allah that He rectifies my heart and yours.

Source: “The Most Important Thing Is The Heart.” Taken from the explanation of Riyaadus-Saaliheen of Shaykh Uthaymeen

Translated by: Abu Yusuf Khaleefah
14th of Safar, 1436 (6th of December, 2014)
http://masjidnurallah.com/2014/12/30/purification-of-the-heart/