Labib Mahfuj Chisty
The human heart is like a mirror. When it is covered with sins, desires, envy and greed, that mirror becomes dark. But when it is purified, the light of Allah is reflected in it. The process of purifying this heart is called Tazkiyah in the language of Sufism.
Tazkiyah means not only moral education, but also going deep into the soul and removing the diseases of the heart. It is so important in Islam that Allah has repeatedly emphasized the purification of the heart of the servant in the Quran. The Arabic word “tazkiyah” comes from “zaqa”, which means to purify, increase, purify.
Tazkiyah means—
- To cleanse the heart from dirt,
- To develop good qualities,
- To achieve closeness to Allah.
Allah says: “Successful indeed is he who purifies his soul, and ruined indeed is he who corrupts it.” (Surah Ash-Shams 91:9-10)
“Whoever purifies the heart, Allah will grant him peace.” (Surah Al-A’la 87:14)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Indeed, there is an organ in the body, if it is good, the whole body is good; if it is bad, the whole body is bad. Know that it is the heart.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
The Sufi Perspective
- Rabi’ah Al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on her) said: “If the heart is filled with the love of Allah, there cannot be any other filth in it.”
- Imam Al-Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote: “Tazkiyah is the cure for diseases, and the Shaykh is the physician.”
- Rumi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “Purify the heart, and you will find that Allah was already there.”
Diseases of the heart (which can be removed through Tazkiyah)
- Arrogance – thinking of oneself as great.
- Jealousy – Feeling sad when seeing the good of others.
- Greed – Excessive attachment.
- Riya – Worshipping for fame or show.
- Heedlessness – Forgetting Allah.
Steps of Tazkiya
- Muraqaba (Self-awareness)
- Mujahadah (Struggle)
- Dhikr (Remembrance)
- Company of Sufi Shaykhs
- Ihsan (Excellence in worship)
In today’s world, people are suffering from consumerism, restlessness, depression and mental illness. The main reason for all this is the impurity of the heart.
Through Tazkiya – mental peace is achieved, negative thoughts are removed, relationships improve, and the purpose of life becomes clear. When someone is free from jealousy, his heart becomes light. When pride is broken, kindness towards people arises. When greed is removed, satisfaction comes.
Tazkiya is the treatment of the soul. Just as medicine is needed when the body is sick, so is Tazkiya needed when the heart is sick. The Sufis say, “When the heart is pure, everything is pure.”
Tazkiya is not just for Sufis; it is an essential part of every human life. Because if the mirror of the heart is not clean, the light of Allah will not be reflected there. In the Sufi view, Tazkiya means removing the dust from the heart so that the light of truth can shine in it.