Imam Ibn al-Qayyim on Factors that Assist in Distancing from Sins

From the Translator’s Introduction

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’aala) says:
“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, except him who brings to Allah a sound heart.” (26: 88-89).

It was asked to Allah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam): ‘Which of the people is best?’ He replied: ‘Everyone who is pure of heart and sincere in speech.’ They inquired: ‘Sincere in speech, we know what this is, but what is pure of heart?’ He said: ‘It is (the heart) that is pious and pure, with no sin, injustice, rancour or envy in it.”

Commenting upon this verse, Ibn al-Qayyim (d.751 H) states:  “A sound heart is one that is free of polytheism, malice, hatred, jealousy, greed, arrogance, and an infatuation for the worldly life and leadership in it. A sound heart is also safe from any ailment that distances him from Allah, any scepticism that contradicts the Qur’ān, any inclination that goes against His will, any intention that goes against His directives and anything else that breaks the bonds between Him and his Lord. This is the sound heart, which now dwells in a paradise and will also experience a paradise in the afterlife and on the Day of Recompense. The soundness of the heart cannot be gained until it is free from five things: polytheism, which is in opposition to monotheism; innovation, which is in opposition to Sunnah; desires, which are in opposition to the commands; heedlessness, which is in opposition to remembrance; and capriciousness, which is in opposition to sincerity. Each of these five acts as a barrier, separating them from Allah.”