Q: What is the best way to give life to the heart if its light has been extinguished?
A: What Imam al-Haddad mentioned about taking knowledge from the Quran and Sunnah (Prophetic Way), with the attributes he mentioned, is the path to giving life to the heart. These attributes are: performing acts of obedience without influence of the ego and caprice, and not having expectations from people and having presence with Allah and remaining in a constant state of dhikr (remembrance).
In the text Imam al-Haddad summarises how we should prepare ourselves for the Divine forth-pouring. He says it is through spiritiual struggle which cuts off the roots of desire, while maintaining unceasing directedness towards Allah in the outward forms of worship. This is expressed in one’s consistency and keenness in reading one’s regular litanies (adhkar) and praying one’s prayers and reciting the Quran with presence of heart. The Imam mentions in this counsel and in the counsels that come after it many means through which the hearts are brought to life.
Another important foundation in bringing the heart to life is having a strong attachment to Allah’s Messenger ﷺ who Allah chose to be our Prophet and was sent to teach us and purify us and take us to Him. We must nurture our longing to meet him and accompany him and we must invoke abundant blessings (salawat) upon him.
May Allah bring your heart and ours to life and the hearts of all of those watching and attending, and all of those connected to us and all the believing men and women seeking this goodness.
May Allah give life to our hearts by the sanctity of the one who was sent to give life to the hearts. You said to us: answer the call of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ when He calls you to that which gives you life.
