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Purification of the heart: Sign, Symptoms, and cures of the spiritual diseases of the heart
Translation and Commentary of Imam Maulid’s Matharat al-Qulub by Hamza Yusuf

In the day of judgment no one is safe the one who returns to god with a pure heart (26:88-89)

In waiting the time for maghrib in the chilling weather of UK’s spring evening, my sms alert rang and reads, “I’m in London BBC studio, forum with Sy Hamza Yusuf, tune on BBC, its live at 7.” The massage came from my close friends who live in London some years ago while I was in Scotland. Without knowing the name of the Syeikh, I presume that there must be something special about him. Knowing my friend he will not be so eager for something unless it is really significant. I ‘googled’ his name, watching the forum and start to know him more and more since. He is a great scholar with immense knowledge, and noble effort in bringing the message of Islam in America.

Purification of the heart is a really special book. The book is inspired from the poem of Imam al Mawlud, ‘Matharat al-Qulub’ which address the sign, symptoms and cures of the spiritual diseases heart. In this book, Syeikh Hamza translate verse by verse from the poem and you will find there is about 25 of heart diseases which include miserliness, hatred, iniquity, envy, heedlessness, anger just to name some of them. The commentary on each verse is very constructive. Each disease commented is supported by the quran verses, hadith and early scholar’s opinion. The origin of each disease is defined, the symptoms is explained and the prescription of the lucid or sometimes ambiguous maladies is given in the manner that we as a reader need only a tool of honesty to examine our own heart. Given the fact that most of the disease is already mentioned in the quran and hadith, this shows how Islam taken the matter of sound heart as an important matter, Rasulullah delivered from his word;

“Surely in the breasts of humanity is a lump of flesh, if sound then the whole body is sound, and if corrupt then the whole body is corrupt. Is it not the heart?”

The commentary in this book shows what prolific writer is made of. His in depth understanding towards Islamic spiritualism is combined with his experience and knowledge has make the output of this book is immensely useful for each who read it with a clear intention. The writer insist that the aim of the book is to perform as a manual of self-purification, if reader work on their heart and actually implement what is suggested here, we’ll begin to see change in our lives.

Issues regarding heart are always important, especially in the world we live today. The trials and tribulations around the world are rooted in the human hearts. Every criminals and every act of oppression towards individual, groups, organisation or even a country are the outcome of a diseased heart. To change yourself and the world around you, the very first step is to change the condition inward, the condition of one’s heart. And this has been clearly explained in this book.

From the very beginning until the end, you’ll find the advice and guidance is so inspiring. You’ll find that the science of heart purification is a process which starts with someone understanding towards the necessity of a sound heart. Each human were represent by their heart, no matter you are a student or not, young or old, rich or poor, each of us should realize that it is ourselves who responsible upon our heart. As a Muslim, every single work we do start from an intention which is coming from our heart. And we are accountable for this in front of Allah. Spend some of your money and time, and you’ll find this book is valuable.

About the Author
Hamza Yusuf is the founder of the Zaytuna Institute, which is committed to inspiring a traditional understanding and study of the core Islamic sciences. He has also served as an advisor to President Bush on Islamic affairs. He lives in Hayward, California.

by Abu Fateh