SHARH ON THE 40 HADEETH OF IMAM AN NAWAWI: HADITH NUMBER 6

 

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

SHARH OF THE 40 HADEETH NUMBER 6: 
''THE 15 PRINCIPLES OF HALAL AND HARAM IN ISLAM''

04.10.2012 (Night Dars)

    HADEETH NUMBER 6:

عن أبي عبد الله النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنهما قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يقول: إن الحلال بين وإن الحرام بين وبينهما أمور مشتبهات لا يعلمهن كثير من الناس، فمن اتقى الشبهات فقد استبرأ لدينه وعرضه، ومن وقع في الشبهات وقع في
الحرام كالراعي يرعى حول الحمى يوشك أن يرتع فيه، ألا وإن لكل ملك حمى، ألا وإن حمى الله محارمه، ألا وإن في الجسد مضغة إذا صلحت صلح الجسد كله وإذا فسدت فسد الجسد كله ألا وهي القلب .رواه البخاري ومسلم.

On the authority of an-Nu’man ibn Basheer (RA), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say, "That which is lawful is clear and that which is unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into hat which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, all the body is whole, and which, if it is diseased, all of [the body] is diseased. Truly, it is the heart." Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

SHARH OF HADEETH

Imam Ahmad (bin Hanbal) said that "The principles of Islam are based on three hadith: the hadith of 'Umar that "deeds are judged only by intention," the hadith of 'A'isha, "Whoever introduces into our affairs that which does not belong, it is rejected," and the hadith of al-Nu'man b. Bashir, "The licit is clear and the illicit is clear." [Jama' ul-Uloom al-Hukum, Ibn Rajab (1/61)]

Let me remind you that Ahmad ibn Hanbal said Islam revolves around three hadeeth
-and one of them is the hadeeth we will explain today

The prophet (ﷺ) said in this hadeeth that the halal things are clear
-e.g. it is halal to eat fish, camel meat, drink apple juice, marry 4 women etc.

Narrated By Jabir bin Abdullah: on the day of Khaibar, Allah's Apostle ﷺ forbade the eating of donkey meat and allowed the eating of horse meat. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 5, Book 59, Hadith #530]

-also horse meat is halal and the Prophet (ﷺ) ate it; it was cooked for him by Asma r.a

It was narrated that Asma’ bint Abi Bakr (RA) said: "At the time of the Prophet (ﷺ) we slaughtered a horse and ate it." [Narrated by al-Bukhari (5191) and Muslim (1942)]

He also said what is haram is clear
-e.g. it is haram to marry 5 wives, go to bed with your wife when she is menstruating,
-wear gold for men etc.
-but between the halal and haram are doubtful matters
-and not many people know the verdict on these matters

So whenever a shaikh gives a bayan, people always ask fitna questions
-e.g. is car insurance halal or haram, can i buy a house by mortgage?
-the Rasool (saw) said if you run into doubtful matters you will run into trouble

THE 5 CATEGORIES OF HUMAN ACTIONS

1. THE FARD

-this means waajib, compulsory
-if you leave off the act you will be punished by Allah on judgement day with the hellfire
-the 4 imams excluding Abu Hanifa did not make a difference between waajib and fard
-but Abu Hanifa made a difference between them
-he said waajib is something which is compulsory
-but there is an element of doubt about it being compulsory
-fard is something which is compulsory with no doubt that it is

2. THE SUNNAH

-this is that which is recommended
-e.g. to enter the masjid with the right foot
-and to enter the toilet with the left foot
-a person should not leave off the Sunnah because it means you love the messenger of Allah

Sunnah has 2 types:

1. SUNNAH MU’AKADAH

-praying the 2 sunans before salatul fajr
-this was so important the prophet did not leave it off even when on a journey

2. SUNNAH GHAIR MU’AKKADAH

-a Sunnah which is not strongly recommended
-e.g. praying the 2 sunans before Maghrib
-and this is why the Hanafis leave it off

3. HALAL

-it means it is lawful and hanging in the balance
-you can leave it off if you want or you can do it
-e.g. to eat beef
-it is not something recommended (Sunnah)
-also to marry your first cousin is halal but the prophet did not recommend it
-because the prophet asked a man to marry someone else

4. THE MAKROOH

-this means disliked
-e.g. being in the masjid and cracking your fingers, delaying Maghrib until the stars appear, -to turn up at a wedding feast you were not invited to
-or looking up the sky in salah
-to lay on your stomach

5. HARAM

-munkar
-it means a sin
-there are 2 types of haram:
1. MAJOR
2. MINOR

-the only haram that can make you a kaafir is the major kufr
-e.g. to insult Allah or His messenger
-to accuse the Qur'an of being tampered with
-to marry your father's wife
-to spy for the kuffaar

Adultery is a major haram not major kufr so does not take you outside of Islam
-likewise drinking alcohol
-this is where the Khawarij went astray
-they did not pay attention to the minute details of aqeeda
-and so they went astray with regards to tawheed

The holy prophet (ﷺ) spoke about halal and haram in this hadeeth no.6 of An Nawawi
-and he said there are grey areas that people are not learning about

THE 15 PRINCIPLES OF HALAL AND HARAM IN ISLAM

1. ONLY ALLAH HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE THINGS HALAL OR HARAM

-because of this Allah said in 18:26, 42:21 and 10:59

...and He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule." (Al-Kahf 18:26)

Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to these polytheists): "Tell me, what provision Allah has sent down to you! And you have made of it lawful and unlawful." Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Has Allah permitted you (to do so), or do you invent a lie against Allah?" (Yunus 10:59)

Or have they partners (of Allah) who have made lawful for them in religion that which Allah allowed not? And but for a decisive word (gone forth already), it would have been judged between them. Lo! for wrong-doers is a painful doom. (Ash-Shura 42:21)[Pickthal]

So when you make lawful and unlawful based upon your own whimsical ideas
-you are lying on Allah

2. ALLAH HAS GIVEN THE RASOOL (saw) THE PERMISIION TO MAKE THINGS HALAL AND HARAM BY WAY OF HADEETH

-Allah said in 4:59

O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. (An-Nisa 4:59)

-why did Allah say refer the matter to Allah and His rasool?
-because He gave him the permission

...And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment. (Al-Hashr 59:7)

-Allah gave the prophet permission to make things halal or haram

Nor does he speak of (his own) desire. (An-Najm 53:3)

It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. (An-Najm 53:4)

-the prophet was inspired by Allah to make things halal or haram
-e.g. he made gold and silk haram for men

Reported by 'Ali (RA) the Prophet (ﷺ) took some silk in his right hand and some gold in his left hand and then he said, "These two are haram for the males among my followers." [Abu Dawud (4/50) No. 4057, An-Nasa'i (8/160) 5144, Ibn Majah (4/594) No. 3595), Ahmad (1/115) No. 935]

-therefore the hadeeth carries the same power in making things haram on you

To marry the aunt and niece at the same time and live with them is haram

Narrated Um Habiba: I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Marry my sister, the daughter of Abu Sufyan." He said, "Do you like that?" I said, "Yes, for even now I am not your only wife; and the most beloved person to share the good with me is my sister." The Prophet said, "But that is not lawful for me (i.e., to be married to two sisters at a time.)" I said, "O Allah's Apostle! By Allah, we have heard that you want to marry Durra, the daughter of Abu Salama." He said, "You mean the daughter of Um Salama?" I said, "Yes." He said, "By Allah ! Even if she were not my stepdaughter, she would not be lawful for me to marry, for she is my foster niece, for Thuwaiba has suckled me and Abu Salama; so you should neither present your daughters, nor your sisters to me." [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 62, Number #43]

It is fard for you to recite surah fatiha in every rak’ah

Narrated By 'Ubada bin As-Samit: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever does not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid." [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 1, Book 12, Hadith #723]

-this was made compulsory on you by the prophet
-and it has to be recited in only Arabic

3. TO MAKE HALAL HARAM OR HARAM HALAL IS AN ACT OF KUFR AND APOSTASY

-Allah said:

...and He makes none to share in His Decision and His Rule." (Al-Kahf 18:26)

...and if you obey them [by making Al¬Maytatah (a dead animal) legal by eating it], then you would indeed be Mushrikun (polytheists) [because they (devils and their friends) made lawful to you to eat that which Allah has made unlawful to eat and you obeyed them by considering it lawful to eat, and by doing so you worshipped them, and to worship others besides Allah is polytheism]. (Al-An'am 6:121)

Indeed lost are they who have killed their children, from folly, without knowledge, and have forbidden that which Allah has provided for them, inventing a lie against Allah. They have indeed gone astray and were not guided. (Al-An'am 6:140)

-they use to make cow meat haram and claim some vegetables are also haram
-this is what Allah is speaking about
-He said they have gone astray by inventing lies against Him

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728H): “Whenever a person makes halal what is haraam by consensus or makes haraam what is halal by consensus or replaces the Sharee’ah that is agreed upon by consensus, then he is a Kaffir by the agreement of the scholars of Fiqh.” – “Al-Fataawa”, Vol. 3/267

4. TO FOLLOW A WICKED SCHOLAR MAKES YOU A KAAFIR AND ALLAH WILL DUMP YOU IN HELL WITH HIM

When those who were followed, disown (declare themselves innocent of) those who followed (them), and they see the torment, then all their relations will be cut off from them. (Al-Baqarah 2:166)

And those who followed will say: "If only we had one more chance to return (to the worldly life), we would disown (declare ourselves as innocent from) them as they have disowned (declared themselves as innocent from) us." Thus Allah will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire. (Al-Baqarah 2:167)

-Allah will not let you off for doing so

They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah (by obeying them in things which they made lawful or unlawful according to their own desires without being ordered by Allah), and (they also took as their Lord) Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), while they (Jews and Christians) were commanded [in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)) to worship none but One Ilah (God - Allah) La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He)[]. Praise and glory be to Him, (far above is He) from having the partners they associate (with Him)." (At-Tawbah 9:31)

-the Prophet (ﷺ) read this ayah when:

Imam Ahmad, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Jarir At-Tabari recorded a Hadith via several chains of narration, from 'Adi bin Hatim (RA), who became a Christian during the time of Jahiliyya. When the call of the Messenger of Allah reached his area, 'Adi ran away to Ash-Sham, and his sister and several of his people were captured. The Messenger of Allah freed his sister and gave her gifts. So she went to her brother and encouraged him to become Muslim and to go to the Messenger of Allah. 'Adi, who was one of the chiefs of his people (the tribe of Tai') and whose father, Hatim At-Ta’i, was known for his generosity, went to Al-Madinah. When the people announced his arrival, 'Adi went to the Messenger of Allah wearing a silver cross around his neck. The Messenger of Allah recited this Ayah; They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah. 'Adi commented, "I said, ‘They did not worship them.’" The Prophet said, ((Yes they did. They (rabbis and monks) prohibited the allowed for them (Christians and Jews) and allowed the prohibited, and they obeyed them. This is how they worshiped them.)) … They took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah… that the Christians and Jews obeyed their monks and rabbis in whatever they allowed or prohibited for them…" (Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Eng Abridged), First Edition: May 2000], Volume 4, pp. 409-410)

-if a wicked scholar tells you we will fast in Shawwal not Ramadan, you should not obey

5. ANYTHING THAT LEADS TO HARAM IS HARAM

Narrated Umar ibn al-Khattab: The Prophet said, "...Whenever a man is alone with a woman the Devil makes a third..." [Musnad Ahmad (1/26) No. 177, Sunan Tirmidhi (4/465) No. 2165, Mustadrak al-Haakim (1/197) No. 387, Sahih Ibn Hibban (12/399) No. 5586, Nasa'i in 'Sunan al-Kubra' (5/387) No. 9219]

-because when 2 people are alone the 3rd is shaytan
-this is called khalwa (seclusion)

6. WHAT IS HARAM FOR ONE IS HARAM FOR ALL

-a revert will say to you am addicted to marijuana can i continue?
-or am addicted to pork can i continue in Islam?
-you can’t give this permission because no one is above the law
-we can’t change Islam for you
-you have to change for Islam
-the Christians change their religion to suite them
-so don’t underestimate the evil desires of people

Allah said in surah 23:71

And if the truth had been in accordance with their desires, verily, the heavens and the earth, and whosoever is therein would have been corrupted! Nay, We have brought them their reminder, but they turn away from their reminder. (Al-Mu'minun 23:71)

-this is how lethal the evil desires of men are

So reverts will come into Islam with their addictions
-you can’t say to them continue!!!

Abu Umamah (RA) saying that a young man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Give me permission to commit Zina (unlawful sex).'' The people surrounded him and rebuked him, saying, "Stop! Stop!'' But the Prophet said, "(Come close)". The young man came to him, and he said, "(Sit down)", so he sat down. The Prophet said, "(Would you like it (unlawful sex) for your mother?)" He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said, "(Neither do the people like it for their mothers!)" The Prophet said, "(Would you like it for your daughter?)" He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said, "(Neither do the people like it for their daughters!)" The Prophet said, "(Would you like it for your sister?)" He said, "No, by Allah, may I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said, "(Neither do the people like it for their sisters!)" The Prophet said, "(Would you like it for your paternal aunt?)" He said, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger! May I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said, "(Neither do the people like it for their paternal aunts!)" The Prophet said, "(Would you like it for your maternal aunt?)" He said, "No, by Allah, O Allah's Messenger! May I be ransomed for you.'' The Prophet said, "(Neither do the people like it for their maternal aunts!)" Then the Prophet put his hand on him and said, "(O Allah, forgive his sin, purify his heart and guard his chastity.)" After that the young man never paid attention to anything of that nature. [Musnad Ahmad, (Vol. 5, pg. 256) No. 22265]

-sins are addictive

Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allah), he says: "My Lord! Send me back, (Al-Mu'minun 23:99)

"So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected. (Al-Mu'minun 23:100)

-this person is saying to Allah send me back in dunya to make righteous deeds
-but Allah said it is just talk he is doing
-because he will still do the same things
-because sins are addictive
-Allah said: it is just empty talk


7. ONLY THAT WHICH IS HARMFUL TO US WAS MADE HARAM

-people who smoke die from lung cancer
-zina leads to HIV/AIDS
-alcohol leads to liver failure
-the prophet said Allah is good and only accepts that which is good

On the authority of Abu Hurairah, who said : the messenger of Allah said : "Allah the Almighty is good and accepts only that which is good. Allah has commanded the faithful to do that which he commanded the messengers, and the Almighty has said: "O ye messengers ! Eat of the good things and do right". And Allah the Almighty has said : "O ye who believe! Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you" Then he mentioned [the case of] a man who, having journeyed far, is dishevelled and dusty and who spreads out his hands to the sky [saying] : "O Lord! O Lord!" - while his food is unlawful, his drink unlawful, his clothing unlawful, and he is nourished unlawfully, so how can he be answered !" related by Muslim

8. TO USE A TRICK TO BYPASS WHAT IS HARAM IS HARAM

-the Jews do this

Say (O Muhammad SAW to the people of the Scripture) : "Shall I inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from Allah: those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allah and His Wrath, those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines, those who worshipped Taghut (false deities); such are worse in rank (on the Day of Resurrection in the Hell¬fire), and far more astray from the Right Path (in the life of this world)." (Al-Ma'idah 5:60)

9. WHAT IS HARAM IN A LARGE QUANTITY IS HARAM IN A SMALL QUANTITY

-e.g. some people say am going to drink but won’t get intoxicated
-because am a skilful drinker
-we say to you what is haram in large quantity is haram in small quantity
-this is usoolul fiqh

10. CHANGING THE NAME OF THE SIN DOES NOT MAKE IT HALAL

-e.g. in the UK a girl will never say am doing prostitution
-they say am doing business

The prophet said people will make wind and string instruments halal by changing its names

Narrated By Abu 'Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash'ari: That he heard the Prophet saying, "From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk, the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, 'Return to us tomorrow.' Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection." [Sahih Bukhari (7/106) No. 5590]

11. EVERYTHING IS HALAL UNTIL PROVEN HARAM AND NOT THE OTHER WAY ROUND

Allah wishes to lighten (the burden) for you; and man was created weak (cannot be patient to leave sexual intercourse with woman). (An-Nisa 4:28)

-man was created weak so Allah wants to make the burden light on you

12. GOOD INTENTION DOES NOT MAKE HARAM HALAL

-e.g. the first person to win the national lottery was a Muslim
-many Muslims buy the lottery to win and they say they have pure intentions for it
-because they will donate the money to the mujahideen
-but according to Shari’ah law good intentions does not justify haram
-the prophet (saw) said:

On the authority of Abu Huraira (RA) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "If anyone amasses wealth through haram means and then gives charity from it, there is no regard for him and the burden of sin remains." [Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah (4/110) No. 2471, Sahih Ibn Hibban (8/11) No. 3216 and Mustadrak al-Haakim (1/548) No. 1440]

13. THE HARAM BECOMES HALAL OUT OF NECESSITY

He has forbidden you only the Maytatah (dead animals), and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that which is slaughtered as a sacrifice for others than Allah (or has been slaughtered for idols, etc., on which Allah's Name has not been mentioned while slaughtering). But if one is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience nor transgressing due limits, then there is no sin on him. Truly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Al-Baqarah 2:173)

If you are starving and did not eat pork if it was the only thing available,
-you committed suicide

Ibn 'Abbas (RA) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Verily Allah has pardoned [or been lenient with] for me my Ummah : their mistakes, their forgetfulness, and that which they have been forced to do under duress." [Sunan Ibn Majah (3/200) No. 2045, al-Mu’jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani (11/133) No. 11274, al-Sunan al-Kubra al-Bayhaqi (7/584) No. 15094, Sunan al-Daraqutni (5/300) No. 4351]

14. A DOUBT CANNOT BE USED TO PRONOUNCE SOMETHING HARAM

-Allah said:

And most of them follow nothing but conjecture. Certainly, conjecture can be of no avail against the truth. Surely, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. (Yunus 10:36)

-dhan means to guess or a doubt
-but Allah said it cannot be used as the truth
-but we should avoid doubtful matters because of the hadeeth of the prophet
-hadeeth No.6

15. WE GIVE THE EXCUSE OF IGNORANCE TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT HALAL AND HARAM

-e.g. how many of you knew that camel meat breaks your wudu
-did you know horse meat is halal?

Jabir b. Samura reported: 'A man asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) whether he should perform ablution after (eating) mutton. He (the Messenger of Allah) said: "Perform ablution if you so desire, and if you do not wish, do not perform it." He (again) asked: 'Should I perform ablution (after eating) camel's flesh?' He said: "Yes, perform ablution (after eating) camel's flesh." He (again) said: 'May I say prayer in the sheepfolds?' He (the Messenger of Allah) said: "Yes." He (the narrator) again said: 'May I say prayer where camels lie down?' He (the Holy Prophet) said: "No." [Sahih Muslim (1/275) No. 360 and Musnad Ahmad (5/98) No. 20963]

-so there are technical issues in Islam that you are not learned about
-so we are so merciful in Islam we give you the excuse of ignorance

Did you know hyena meat is halal?

In darul harb the kaafir will say to you ignorance of the law is not an excuse
-they are Khawarij
-no mercy in their hearts unlike in Islam

On the authority of Qataada who said: “A woman slept with her male servant and cited an ayah of the Holy Qur'an as her evidence for her action. ‘…or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess…’ (An-Nur 24:31). This woman was brought to Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) by a group of Sahabas who complained to Umar that she misinterpreted a verse from the Holy Qur’an and slept with her male servant. Umar commanded that the male servant should be sent away for a year and he was beheaded. He then said to the woman you are now haram for all Muslims.” [Tafseer al-Tabari (9/586) No. 11277]

However we do not give the excuse of ignorance to people that worship idols
-7:172

And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam's loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord?" They said: "Yes! We testify," lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: "Verily, we have been unaware of this." (Al-A'raf 7:172)

The rasool (ﷺ) said when you avoid doubtful matters, you save your religion and honour
-he is saying when you dabble in haram you destroy your honour and izza

...Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honour, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah’s sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, all the body is whole, and which, if it is diseased, all of [the body] is diseased. Truly, it is the heart." Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

-if you graze your sheep close to someone's field, it will stray to that forbidden area

Narrated By Abu Huraira: The Prophet; ﷺ said, “Indeed, Allah has Ghayrah, and the faithful believer has Ghayrah, and the Ghayrah which Allah has is provoked when a believer commits that which Allah has forbidden.” [al-Bukhari (4925) and Muslim (2761)]

-even Allah has ghaira
-and the person without this is the dayooth

The prophet said in the heart is a lump of flesh which is the heart
-and Allah has favoured it above all the other organs of the body
-because it is where emaan is stored up

He pointed to his bosom and said it is where taqwa is
-and it is the state of the heart that determines whether your deeds are accepted or not

On the authority of Abu Huraira: "Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts," and he pointed towards the heart with his fingers. [Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith #6220]

-if your intention was pure it is accepted but if not it won’t be accepted

On the authority of Abu Huraira (RA) the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to said:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْأَرْبَعِ، مِنْ عِلْمٍ لَا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبٍ لَا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دُعَاءٍ لَا يُسْمَعُ
"Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min al-'Arba'a min ‘ilmin la yanfa’ wa min qalbin la yakhsha’ wa min nafsin la tashba’ wa min du’a'in la yusma’" (O Allah, I seek refuge in Thee from four things: from knowledge that is of no benefit, a heart which is not submissive, a soul which has an insatiable appetite, and a supplication which is not heard). [Musnad Ahmad (2/340) No. 8469, Sunan Abu Dawud (2/92) No. 1548, Sunan al-Nasa'i (8/263) No. 5467, Sunan Ibn Majah (5/11) No. 3837]

The prophet used to seek refuge from a heart which does not fear Allah
-and from a soul that can’t be satisfied
-and a dua which is not answered
-and knowledge which is not beneficial

The prophet (saw) said:

In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) and Allah has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies. (Al-Baqarah 2:10)

On the authority of Abu Huraira: "Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts," and he pointed towards the heart with his fingers. [Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith #6220]

On the authority of Khalid Ar-Raba'i who said: "Luqman was an Ethiopian slave who was a carpenter. His master said to him, 'Slaughter this sheep for us,' so he slaughtered it. (His master) said: 'Bring the best two pieces from it,' so he brought out the tongue and the heart. Then time passed, as much as Allah willed, and (his master) said: 'Slaughter this sheep for us,' so he slaughtered it. (His master) said, 'Bring the worst two morsels from it,' so he brought out the tongue and the heart. His master said to him, 'I told you to bring out the best two pieces, and you brought these, then I told you to bring out the worst two pieces, and you brought these!' Luqman said, 'There is nothing better than these if they are good, and there is nothing worse than these if they are bad.''' [Tafseer al-Tabari (20/135) and Tafseer Ibn Katheer (6/334)]

The heart is the most important organ of the body just like the engine of a car

Do they not then think deeply in the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? (Muhammad 47:24)

-when a person's heart is sealed, emaan and Islam cannot enter
-and kufr and nifaaq cannot leave

Then, after that, your hearts were hardened and became as stones or even worse in hardness. And indeed, there are stones out of which rivers gush forth, and indeed, there are of them (stones) which split asunder so that water flows from them, and indeed, there are of them (stones) which fall down for fear of Allah. And Allah is not unaware of what you do. (Al-Baqarah 2:74)

-the Jews are so evil in character because their hearts are hard
-after all the miracles they witnessed, they still disbelieved

And whoso obeys Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqun (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! (An-Nisa 4:69)

In order to make the heart soft
-you need to keep good company
-not just obey Allah and His messenger
-keep the company of people who are righteous, shuhada etc.

And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you; so pass over (their faults), and ask (Allah's) Forgiveness for them; and consult them in the affairs. Then when you have taken a decision, put your trust in Allah, certainly, Allah loves those who put their trust (in Him). (Aali Imran 3:159)

-the sahabah disobeyed the prophet at the battle of Uhud
-but he was soft on them when correcting them
-Allah said if he had not, they would have apostated
-so he was not harsh with them

Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him))? (Ash-Sharh 94:1)

And removed from you your burden, (Ash-Sharh 94:2)

Which weighed down your back? (Ash-Sharh 94:3)

And raised high your fame? (Ash-Sharh 94:4)

So verily, with the hardship, there is relief, (Ash-Sharh 94:5)

Verily, with the hardship, there is relief (i.e. there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs). (Ash-Sharh 94:6)

So when you have finished (from your occupation), then stand up for Allah's worship (i.e. stand up for prayer). (Ash-Sharh 94:7)

And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your intentions and hopes and) your invocations. (Ash-Sharh 94:8)

-Allah said woe be onto those who are hard-hearted

Is he whose breast Allah has opened to Islam, so that he is in light from His Lord (as he who is non-Muslim)? So, woe to those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah! They are in plain error! (Az-Zumar 39:22)

HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART?

1. BY DOING HALAL AND ABSTAINING FROM HARAM

2. BY KEEPING GOOD COMPANY

Nay! But on their hearts is the Ran (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn. (Al-Mutaffifin 83:14)

-rana means your heart has become rusty
-when you do halal, it cleans your heart
-just like when you clean rust from your jewellery
-because when you do haram, your heart becomes rusty

3. BY BEING AT A HALAQAH

-to learn your deen from a sincere scholar
-weekly or daily

4. BY FREQUENTING THE MASJID

5. TO KEEP UP THE PRAYERS

6. BY PAYING THE ZAKAH TO CONQUER GREED AND AVARICE

Abu Huraira narrated the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The five daily prayers, Friday prayer to the following Friday prayer, and Ramadan to the following Ramadan are expiations for sins as long as one abstains from major sins." [Sahih Muslim (1/209) No. 233 and Musnad Ahmad (2/400) No. 9186]

7. BY GOING TO A MASJID WHERE THE KHUTBA MOTIVATES YOU
-some of you may say not in my country
-the khutbas put us to sleep there

8. BY GOING FOR HAJJ AND MIXING WITH THE MUSLIMS

Abu Hurayrah (RA) who said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever performs Hajj and does not commit any obscenity [rafath] or commit any evil will go back (free of) sin as on the day his mother bore him.” [narrated by al-Bukhari (1521) and Muslim (1350)]

-this is what changed Malcolm X

9. BY GOING TO JIHAD
-because the mujahideen are the elite of the society

10. BY MARRYING A PIOUS PERSON
-stay away from the munafiqeen
-the rasool (ﷺ) said marry the righteous

Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet ﷺ said, "A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be a losers. [al-Bukhari (5090) and Muslim (1466)]