The phenomenon of weak faith has become very widespread among Muslims, and many people complain about the hardness of their hearts. So often we hear the words, “I feel hardness in my heart,” “I do not find any joy in worship,” “I feel that my faith has hit rock bottom,” “Reading Qur’aan does not move me,” “I fall into sin so easily.” The effects of this affliction can be seen in many people, and this problem is the cause of every disaster and adversity.
The issue of people’s hearts is an important and sensitive issue. The heart is called qalb in Arabic because it changes so quickly and frequently (taqallub – alteration, variation, ups and downs). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The heart (qalb) takes its name from its constant changes (taqallub). The likeness of the heart is that of a feather at the root of a tree, being turned over and over by the wind.” (Reported by Ahmad, 4/408; Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2364)
Allaah is the One Who turns hearts around and controls them. ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Aas reported that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “The hearts of the children of Adam are as one between the fingers of the Most Merciful, and He turns them in whatever way He wills.” Then he said: “O Allaah, Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to obey You.” (Reported by Muslim, no. 2654).
Allaah tells us that: “… Allaah comes in between a person and his heart (i.e., He prevents an evil person from deciding anything)…” [al-Anfaal 8:24 –interpretation of the meaning] no one will be saved on the Day of Resurrection “except him who brings to Allaah a clean heart [free from shirk and hypocrisy].” [al-Shu’ara’ 26:89 – interpretation of the meaning] “those whose hearts are hardened” [al-Hajj 22:53 – interpretation of the meaning] are doomed and the promise of Paradise is for those “who feared the Most Beneficent (Allaah) in the Unseen, (i.e., in the worldly life, before seeing and meeting Him), and brought a heart turned in repentance (to Him).” [Qaaf 50:33 –interpretation of the meaning].
SYMPTOMS OF WEAK FAITH:
There are a number of symptoms of the sickness of weak faith, including the following: Falling into sin and committing haraam deeds : There are some sinners who commit a sin and persist in it, and some who commit many kinds of sin. When a person commits many sins, sin becomes a habit which he gets used to, and then he no longer feels that it is abhorrent. He gradually reaches a stage where he commits the sin openly, and thus becomes one of those referred to in the hadeeth: “All of my ummah will be fine except for those who commit sin openly, an example of which is a man who does something at night, and when morning comes and Allaah has concealed his sin, he says, ‘O So-and-so, I did such and such yesterday.’ His Lord had covered his sin all night, but he has uncovered what Allaah had concealed.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath 10/486).
CAUSES OF WEAK FAITH:
There are many causes of weak faith, some of which are the same as the symptoms, such as committing sin or being preoccupied with this world. There follows a list of some additional causes:
* Keeping away from a faith-filled environment for too long.
This causes weak faith in a person.
* Keeping away from the good example of righteous leaders.
* Failing to seek knowledge and to be acquainted with the religious books which will uplift and revive the heart.
* Living in an environment that is filled with sin, so you see one boasting about his latest misdemeanour, another humming popular songs to himself, a third smoking, a fourth reading a pornographic magazine, a fifth cursing and swearing, and so on. As for talk about who said what to whom, gossip, backbiting and discussion about the latest football match, there is no end to it.
* Some environments remind one only of this world, as is the case in most gatherings and work-places nowadays. Discussions about business, work, money, investments, work-related problems, raises, promotions, assignments and so on take precedence in the minds and speech of most people nowadays.
* Muslim homes are filled with shameless songs, vile movies, forbidden mixing of the sexes and so on. No doubt in such an environment hearts are stricken with the disease of hardness.
* Preoccupation with this world, so that the heart is enslaved by it.
* Hoping for a long life.
* Another cause of weak faith and hard-heartedness is eating too much, sleeping too much, staying up too late, talking too much and mixing with people too much.
CURE:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked: “Which deed is most beloved to Allaah?” He said, “The one that is continuous, even if it is little.” (Reported by al- Bukhaari, Fath, 11/194). When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did something, he kept it up.” (Reported by Muslim)
Striving one’s utmost to do good deeds. Dealing with a hard heart should not be the matter of a temporary solution, where eemaan strengthens for a period of time then becomes weak again; rather, it should be an ongoing effort, which can only be achieved by striving one’s utmost in worship.
Hoping that one’s deeds will be accepted whilst fearing that they may not. After striving one’s utmost in deeds of worship and obedience, one should fear that they may be rejected.
Hope and fear are part of eeman and keeps a person at bay and from falling into error again and again.
May Allah (SWT) help us in preserving our Eeman and be amongst the one’s who are the Successful. Aameen!