Praise be to Allah.

One of the greatest concerns a Muslim should have is the condition of the heart. The heart is the foundation of a person's faith, intentions, character, and actions. When the heart is sound, its goodness is reflected in a person's worship and conduct. But when it becomes corrupted, the effects of that corruption can spread throughout a person's life.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Indeed, there is a piece of flesh in the body which, if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Indeed, it is the heart.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim]

A healthy heart is not a heart that never sins or never experiences weakness. Every human being makes mistakes. Rather, a sound heart is one that recognises its shortcomings and repeatedly returns to Allah through repentance.

Among the signs of a healthy heart are:

• A love for Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.

• A desire to perform acts of worship, even when they require effort and sacrifice.

• Feeling remorse after committing a sin and striving to repent from it.

• Accepting the truth, even when it goes against one's desires.

• Having concern for the Hereafter and remembering one's eventual return to Allah.

• Showing humility towards the believers and avoiding arrogance and envy.

• Finding comfort in the remembrance of Allah.

Allah تعالى says:

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
[Sūrah ar-Raʿd 13:28]

However, if a person finds themselves constantly comfortable with sin, neglectful of the obligatory acts of worship, uninterested in the Qur'an, or unwilling to accept sincere advice, these may be warning signs that the heart needs attention and treatment.

The good news is that no heart is beyond the mercy of Allah. The heart can be strengthened and purified through sincere repentance, regular prayer, recitation and reflection upon the Qur'an, remembrance of Allah, keeping righteous company, and striving against one's desires.

Allah تعالى says:

“He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who corrupts it.”
[Sūrah ash-Shams 91:9–10]

Therefore, a Muslim should regularly ask themselves not only, “What am I doing?” but also, “What is the condition of my heart while I am doing it?”

The purification of the heart is a lifelong journey. The believer continues to seek Allah's help, repent from shortcomings, and ask Him for a heart that is sound and sincere.

May Allah grant us hearts that are pure, humble, firm upon His religion, and sound on the Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, except the one who comes to Allah with a sound heart.