There are
many laboratories in the world, working and specializing in detergents. Each
one trying to produce the best detergent, which would be the easiest in
removing stains.
Each company
makes a claim that their detergents are the best, giving you a power-cleaning
wash and removing the toughest stains.
In the
spiritual world, we find that the spiritual heart is such a sensitive entity
that is easily stained. Some stains are easy to remove; others are very
difficult to do away with.
Thus, the
spiritual heart also requires detergents for the heart to remain ‘whiter
than white’, ‘brighter than bright’
or ‘super bright’ – as we read in different advertisements.
Those stains
of the spiritual heart (i.e. one’s minor sins) which are easy to remove, are
washed away with the water of Wudhu (ablution), with Salaah and with many
different Ibaadaat, which the Ahaadeeth have informed us, have the effect of
removing the stains of sins.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
‘alayhi wasallam) said : ‘Whoever performed Wudhu and performed it
well (i.e. according to the prescribed rules), all his sins will go out, even
from under his nails.’[1]
Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Each of the five Salaahs expiates the sins
committed since the Salaah preceding it.’[2]
The ‘Ulama
mention that Ahaadeeth of this nature refer to minor sins. Major sins require sincere Taubah.
Major sins
leave ‘tough’ stains which require a hard wash with a very strong detergent.
The power detergents, which have the effect of removing the big and unsightly
blotches and splotches of major sins on the spiritual heart are sincere Taubah and Istighfaar, and if
one wants a bright, white spiritual heart, then the ‘bleach’ of Zikrullah
should be used – just as we use bleach to whiten garments.
Of course, the
effect upon our hearts is dependent on our sincerity, our abstinence from all
sins, as well as our obedience to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).
If the
stains of major sins are not removed, then the heart not only becomes pitch
black, it becomes hard, and at this stage the person’s Imaan is on dangerous
ground.
Allah Ta’ala
mentions in the Qur`aan Shareef :
“No! But that which they used to
commit has covered their hearts with rust…”
[Surah Muttaffifeen 83 : 14]
The rust
that accumulates with indulgence in sins covers the heart and deprives the
person of the ability to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong, Haq (Truth) and Baatil (Falsehood).
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) explained : “When a Mu’min (believer) sins, a black dot
appears on his heart. If he repents and seeks Allah’s forgiveness, his heart
becomes cleansed and polished. If he continues to commit more and more sins
(without repenting), the spot continues to spread and ultimately covers all of
his heart.”[3]
[1] Muslim
[2] Muslim
[3] Tirmizi
