عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام once said to his disciples, “Do not sit with the dead, or your heart shall die.” “Who are the dead?”, they asked. Prophet ꜤĪsā عَلَیْہِ السَّلَام then explained, اَلرَّاغِبُوْنَ فِی الدُّنْیَا اَلْمُحِبُّوْنَ لَہَا- “Those attracted to the world and those who love it.”^[1]

Eating excessively and its effect on the heart

Dear Islamic brothers! Eating excessively hardens the heart. Whoever seeks joy in their worship should build the habit of not eating to a full stomach. Sayyidunā Ibrahīm b. Adham رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه once said, “I met with many saints in Mount Lebanon, all of whom said to me, “When you are amongst people, give them four pieces of advice.” One of these four was, “Whoever eats excessively will not find joy in their worship.”^[2]

Imām Muḥammad Ghazāli رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه writes:

A noble habit of pious individuals رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْهِم who walked the path of the Hereafter, was that they would not eat condiments continually, but only from time to time. They would also withhold their nafs from desires. If a man continues to eat delicious food in accordance with his desires, his nafs becomes rebellious and hardness develops in his heart.^[3]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Leave three things and you find joy in worship

Offering priceless advice, Sayyidunā Aḥmad b. Ḥarb رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه said:

I worshipped Allāh for fifty years. When I stopped three things, I found joy in my worship. Firstly, I stopped pleasing people (this means, not worrying about what people will say and fully focusing on what will please Allāh Almighty). Secondly, I left the company of open sinners and began staying with the pious. Third