Healing the Heart: A Spiritual Guide to Purification and Strength
How Dhikr, Gratitude, and Steadfastness Can Transform Your Heart and Faith
Introduction: How to Improve the Condition of Our Hearts
In my last post, I discussed the three types of hearts in Islam: the sound heart, the sick heart, and the dead heart. We explored how the state of our hearts determines our connection with Allah and our spiritual well-being. I also mentioned that in the next post, we would focus on how to heal and purify a heart that has become weak or diseased.
No heart is beyond repair. Whether our hearts are struggling with heedlessness, sins, or doubts, Allah has given us the tools to revive them. The Prophet ﷺ said:
Beware! There is a piece of flesh in the body if it becomes good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body gets spoilt and that is the heart.
Sahih al-Bukhari 52
In this post, we will explore practical ways to improve the condition of our hearts—bringing them back to life through remembrance of Allah (dhikr), gratitude, and steadfastness. If you’ve ever felt distant from Allah or struggled with maintaining a pure heart, this guide will InshAllah help you take the first steps toward transformation . Let’s begin this journey together, using the wisdom of the Qur’an and Sunnah to soften, cleanse, and strengthen our hearts.
How to Improve the Condition of Our Hearts
No matter the state of our hearts—whether they are sound, sick, or dead—there is always a way back to Allah. Our hearts are constantly fluctuating, and even the strongest believers experience moments of weakness. But Allah, from His infinite mercy, has given us the means to purify, strengthen, and protect our hearts.
In a beautiful Hadith Qudsi, Allah reminds us of His closeness and mercy:
Whoever draws close to Me by the length of a palm, I will draw close to him by the length of an arm. Whoever draws close to Me by the length of an arm, I will draw close to him by the length of a fathom. Whoever comes to Me walking, I will go to him running.
Sahih Muslim 2687
This profound reminder reassures us that no matter how distant we may feel, Allah is always near—ready to welcome us back with open arms.
1. Remembrance of Allah (Dhikr) – The Key to a Tranquil Heart
One of the most powerful ways to purify the heart is through the remembrance of Allah (dhikr). Allah tells us in the Qur’an:
Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.
(Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)
Allah reminds us that true peace does not come from wealth, status, or worldly pleasures—but from remembering Him.
Imagine holding your breath underwater and then, at the last moment, breaking the surface for a breath of fresh air. That moment of relief is what dhikr does for the heart.
There are many simple, yet powerful forms of dhikr that can help cleanse and soften the heart. Even in the busiest moments of life, when lengthy acts of worship feel overwhelming, the remembrance of Allah remains one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to strengthen our hearts and connection with Him. The beauty of dhikr is that it requires no special time or place—you can do it while commuting, working, cooking, or even lying in bed.
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the incredible weight of three simple phrases:
SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah)
Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah)
Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
These words are easy on the tongue but heavy on the scales and come with immense rewards.
Shall I tell you a thing which is better than what you asked me for? When you go to your beds, say: ‘Allahu Akbar’ 34 times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ 33 times, and ‘SubhanAllah’ 33 times. This is better for you than what you have requested.
(Sahih Bukhari 3113)
Even if you can’t engage in long hours of prayer or recitation, just keeping your tongue moist with these words can elevate your rank in the Hereafter and purify your heart.
Abu Darda (RA) beautifully said:
Verily, everything has a polish, and the polish of the heart is the remembrance of Allah Almighty.
(Shu’ab al-Iman 503)
Our hearts, much like metal, can become rusted over time—worn down by heedlessness and sin. But Ibn Al-Qayyim (RA) explained that the way to restore and purify hearts is through seeking forgiveness and the remembrance of Allah. He said:
The heart is tarnished by two matters: negligence and sin. And it is polished by two matters: seeking forgiveness and the remembrance of Allah.
(Al-Wabil al-Sayyib 1/40)
This means that no matter how distracted or distant we may feel, regularly remembering Allah is one of the easiest and most effective ways to cleanse our hearts.
So, even in the busiest moments of life, take a second to remember Allah. A heart that remains engaged in dhikr will always find its way back to peace, no matter how far it may have strayed. And Allah said in hadith Qudsi:
If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they
(Sahih Al-Bukhari 7405)
2. Gratitude – A Purified Heart Sees Blessings in Everything
A heart that is truly purified is a heart that sees blessings in everything. Gratitude (shukr) is one of the most powerful ways to cleanse the heart from negativity, arrogance, and attachment to the dunya. When we acknowledge that everything we have—our health, food, shelter, and even the ability to worship—comes from Allah, our hearts become lighter, more content, and less prone to envy or greed.
Allah reminds us:
And He has granted you all that you asked Him for. If you tried to count Allah’s blessings, you would never be able to number them.
(Surah Ibrahim 14:34)
The purification of the heart begins when we stop focusing on what we lack and instead recognize the endless blessings we already have. Simple ways to cultivate gratitude in our daily lives:
Gratitude as a Means of Tazkiyah (Spiritual Purification)
Just as dhikr polishes the heart, gratitude purifies it from destructive qualities such as arrogance, greed, and heedlessness. A person who constantly thanks Allah acknowledges their complete dependence on Him and is less likely to feel entitled or envious of others. This purification of the soul (tazkiyah) is a core principle in Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ warned:
No human being will enter Paradise if there is as much as the weight of a seed of arrogance in his heart.
(Musnad Ahmad 7015, Sahih)
A heart filled with gratitude is humble, softened, and free from resentment. It finds peace in whatever Allah decrees, trusting that contentment does not come from having more but from appreciating what already exists.
The Struggle Against Heedlessness
In a materialistic world where desires are constantly being fueled by consumerism, it’s easy to forget our blessings and become preoccupied with what we don’t have. A heedless heart becomes hardened, making it difficult to feel true connection with Allah.
But the solution is simple: gratitude. When we practice shukr intentionally, we shift our mindset from “I wish I had” to “Alhamdulillah for what I have”—and this alone purifies the heart from unnecessary attachments. Our hearts become richer—not with wealth, but with contentment and faith.
3. Steadfastness (Istiqaamah) – Keeping the Heart Firm on the Right Path
The heart is constantly fluctuating—one day, we feel deeply connected to our faith, and the next, we may struggle with doubt, distractions, or heedlessness. What truly matters is that we keep turning back to Allah, seeking His guidance and strength to remain steadfast.
Allah has given us a powerful dua in the Qur’an, that should be recited by those who seek to preserve their faith:
This verse teaches us two essential lessons:
Guidance is a gift from Allah, one that we should never take for granted.
The heart is vulnerable to deviation, which is why we must constantly ask Allah to keep us firm upon His path.
Even the Prophet ﷺ Sought a Pure Heart – What About Us?
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the best of all believers—the most righteous, sincere, and connected to Allah. Yet, despite his unshakable faith and purity of heart, he would constantly turn to Allah in dua, asking for a sound heart and protection from spiritual diseases.
If the best of creation, regularly sought Allah’s help to keep his heart firm and pure, what does that say about us? We, who sin daily, need these supplications even more—especially in today’s world, where temptations, distractions, and trials are everywhere.
Anas (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would say:
O Turner of the hearts, affirm my heart upon Your religion!
I said, “O Messenger of Allah, we believe in you and in that with which you were sent. Do you fear for us?”
The Prophet said:
Yes, for the hearts are between the fingers of Allah. He turns them whichever way He wills.
Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2140, Sahih
This profound statement reminds us that no one is safe from the fluctuations of the heart. And we need to constantly seek Allah’s guidance.
Faith Needs Renewal
No one is immune to the ups and downs of faith. Even the most righteous among us experience moments of spiritual weakness. This is why we must actively seek ways to keep our faith strong and hearts purified.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
Verily, the faith of one of you will wear out within him, just as a shirt becomes worn out, so ask Allah to renew faith in your hearts.
Al-Mustadrak ʻalá al-Ṣaḥīḥayn 5, Grade: Sahih
Seeking Protection from Bad Qualities
The Prophet ﷺ didn’t just ask for steadfastness—he also made duas to be protected from harmful qualities that could corrupt the heart, such as arrogance, heedlessness, and a lack of sincerity. Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
O Lord, make me grateful to You, remembering of You, fearful of You, obedient to You, humble to You, penitent and repenting. O Lord, accept my repentance, wash away my sin, answer my supplication, establish my proof, direct my tongue, guide my heart, and remove the rancor from my chest.
Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3551, Grade: Sahih
If the Prophet ﷺ sought protection from these qualities, what about us? We are constantly tested by pride, distractions, and heedlessness, making these duas even more essential in our daily lives.
Keep Turning Back to Allah
No matter how many times we slip, Allah’s mercy is always open to us. The journey to a pure heart isn’t about never falling—it’s about always getting back up. Some days will be harder than others, but what matters is that we keep striving.
Even in our weakest moments, a simple dhikr, a heartfelt dua, or a quiet moment of gratitude can bring us closer to Him. It’s never too late to return, never too late to heal, never too late to seek His guidance.
May Allah soften our hearts, strengthen our faith, and keep us steadfast on His path. Ameen.