Question
(#058)
Assalamu-Alaikum W R B
Please explain what is “Qalbe-saleem, how one can have this.
What qualities one should posses to have this.
JazakAllah.
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We have received your query regarding acquiring a Qalb Saleem. Our response is as follows:
Allah Ta’ala has mentioned ‘Qalb Saleem’ twice in the Noble Qur’aan. The first place is in Surah Shuaraa and the second place is in Surah Saafaat.
إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
“Except the one that presents to Allah Ta’ala a Sound Heart”
In this verse of Surah Shuaraa it is mentioned that the one with a Qalb Saleem will be saved on the day of resurrection. Under this verse it is mentioned in Tafseer Uthmaani that ‘Qalb Saleem’ is that heart which is free from Kufr (disbelief), Nifaaq (Hypocrisy) and all incorrect beliefs.
Mufti Muhammad Shafi Rahimahullah mentions in his colossal masterpiece ‘Ma’ariful Qur’an that a sound heart means that the heart has the correct belief. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas Radiyallaahu anhu mentions that a sound heart is that heart which has the correct belief of the oneness of Allah Ta’ala and is free from Shirk. The same interpretation is mentioned by Mujaahid, Hasan Basri and Saeed bin Musayab Rahimahumullaah with different expressions. Saaed bin Musayab Rahimahullah mentions that a sound heart only refers to a believer because a disbeliever’s heart is sick (فى قلوبهم مرض) (In their hearts there is a malady 2:10)
The second place is in Surah Saaffaat.
إِذْ جَاءَ رَبَّهُ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
“When Ibraheem Alaihis Salaam turned to his Rabb with a sound heart”
Mufti Muhammad Shafee Rahimahullaah mentions under the above verse that ‘Qalb Saleem’ is that the heart which is pure, and Allah Ta’ala will only accept the Ibaadaat (worship) of that person whose heart is free from incorrect beliefs and evil inclinations.
Maulana Idrees Kaandelwhi Rahimahullah mentions that Qalb Saleem is that the heart be free from incorrect beliefs and that one should free oneself from the evils of bad character of the heart. (Maariful Qur’aan VL-6- pg 500)
The same meaning is mentioned in Tafseer Uthmaany and also that one humbles oneself in front of his Rabb.
(Tafseer Uthmaaani- Vl-3 -243pg)
From the above we can deduce that Qalb Saleem is that heart which has the correct belief in Allah Ta’ala and that the heart is free from Shirk and Nifaaq. In the same way, one should rid oneself from the other evils of the heart such as pride, jealousy e.t.c. To acquire a heart free from all spiritual maladies is of utmost importance. It is very encouraging to hear that you have this urge and desire to rectify your heart from all the spiritual maladies of the heart. One may refer to Maulana Hakeem Akhtars Daamat baraaktuhu book “Remedies to spiritual maladies”. Also one may refer to these websites:
http://www.khanqah.org/books/show/solution-to-spiritual-maladies-for-the-lovers-of-allah-tala
http://tasawwuf.daralmahmood.org/category/spiritual-maladies-and-their-cures
http://archive.org/details/EffectiveRemediesForSpiritualMaladiesByHazratMaulanaAbdulHamidIshaq
http://khanqahashrafiaislamia.co.za/
AND ALLAH TA’ALAH KNOWS BEST
Muhammad Irshad Motara
15th Muharram 1434
30th December 2012
