I don’t trust myself, even less others. I never trust my own motives, always interrogating myself as to what lies behind my intentions. I am a man. I know both the darkness and the light within. I know that I could do great evil if I let my guard down. I know I could do great good, but with ulterior motives if I wanted to.
That is why God makes eleven consecutive oaths about the heart: “he is indeed successful who purifies it”.
‘By the sun and his brightness, and the moon when she follows him, and the day when it reveals him, and the night when it enshrouds him, and the heaven and Him Who build it, And the earth and Him Who spread it out, and a soul and Him Who perfected it and inspired it with awareness of what is wrong for it and what is right for it, he is indeed successful who purifies it, and he is indeed a failure who neglects it.’
Quran 91:1-10
The nature of the heart of man is known to God, who created it. Any man or woman who says, “trust me” knows nothing of their own heart, let alone the hearts of others. Purify it. Do not neglect it.
Last modified: 27 October 2021
