22. RECTIFYING THE HEART REQUIRES LEAVING DESIRES
I pondered upon the condition of this world and the condition of the Hereafter. I came to know that events of this life are tangible and congenital as opposed to the events of the Hereafter, which are faith {iman) based and certainty (yaqin). Therefore whoever has knowledge and sense of certainty not profound, will be more inclined towards tangible and congenital events?
As the level of effectual events depends on their causes, mixing with people, sighting the desired, and the exposure to attractions should strengthen the effect of tangible and congenital events [i.e. the effectual factors of this world become stronger and hence attract people more than the Hereafter does].
On the other hand, solitude (‘uzla), contemplation (fikr) and seeking knowledge (‘ilm) are means by which the effect of the events of the Hereafter becomes stronger and hence more effectual.
Experiencing the market places where worldly pleasures and adornments are offered, and then visiting cemeteries to think and soften the heart, should give someone two obvious different feelings.
The reason for such differences is because at each situation the kind of exposure to events differs. That being the case, you should seek solitude, observe a constant remembrance (dhikr) of Allah and seek knowledge {‘Urn) for it is the advice I offer you. This is because solitude (’uzla) is a diet and contemplation (fikr) and knowledge (‘ilm) are medicine; hence treating yourself with medicine means you should not mix it with what harms you. And you know that mixing with people has debased your heart and actions so the only cure is what I have prescribed for you.
However, if you insist on mixing with people and exposing yourself to desires while wishing to rectify your heart, then you have indeed sought the impossible.
(source: al-Hafiz Abu’l-Faraj ibn al-jawzl [d. 597AH] “CAPTURED THOUGHTS being” a translation of his masterpiece ‘Sayd al-K hatir)
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