Purification of The Soul By Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi (d.689H)

In this fourth installment (Purification of The Soul), the author Imam Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi, may Allah have mercy on him, discusses how to purify the soul and remove the rust of desire and heedlessness that encapsulates the heart. He quotes from the Qur'an, Sunnah, the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and stories from the salaf.

Allah, The Most High Says: "Those who purify their souls have succeeded, and those who corrupt their souls have failed." [Qur'an (91): 9-10]

Purifying the soul is the key to reforming the believer and succeeding in the daily battles against the diverse facets of the lower self, such as pride, selfishness, arrogance, greed, lust, miserliness, and other destructive tendencies.

The true servant of Allah pays great attention to his inner thoughts and feelings. He works hard to rein them in and not run headlong into disobedience of Allah, the Most Exalted. Rectification of the heart is the only way to withstand the relentless onslaught of materialism and overcome the various challenges we face, leading to a happy and purposeful life and the Pleasure of our Lord Allah, the Most High.

For this reason, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Beware, in the body, there is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt, and verily it is the heart." Muslim # 1599