slip-sliding away…..

Continuing our Ramadaan series, this post continues the book entitled “Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart” – Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Hanson‘s translation and commentary of Imam Muḥammad Mawlūd’s didactic poem “Matharat al-Qulub” (purification of the heart). The Imam was a 19th century Mauritanian scholar. For notes on the copyright status of the book, as well as links to purchase your own copy, please see the introductory post of the series.

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Relying on other than God

POEM VERSES 101–105

Fear of and desire for other than my Lord contradicts 
absolute trust in Him. The origin of

Both of them—and I seek refuge in the Mighty from every 
disease—is lack of certainty.


What is prohibited from the two is that which prevents an 
obligation from being fulfilled.

As for it leading to the neglect of that which is 
recommended, then it is considered reprehensible. 
In any case, flee in fear to your Lord from both of them.


The cure for both is to know that there is none who can 
bring benefit or harm other than Him alone.

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Definition and Treatment

Fearing or desiring anything other than God runs contrary to trust and reliance on God (tawakkul). If one is obsessed with other mortals, his or her reliance on God is weak. This diminishes one’s certainty (yaqīn) in God and certainty that everything good—all that is worthy of pursuit and time—comes from none other than God. The cause of many diseases of the heart can be traced back to a lack of certainty and an impaired sense of faith and trust in God.

A person can be in pursuit of attaining benefit from people and fall into the trap of neglecting his obligations, as well as those meritorious acts that invite untold blessings and dimensions of realization to one’s life. One needs to seek refuge in God from the kinds of fear and desire that divert one’s attention and striving away from God. The Imam’s admonition is to always keep in mind that God alone holds all benefit, and that only God tests people and provides relief and provision.