A believer who fears being held accountable by Allah, will always hold himself to account first. Such a person focuses on his own heart before rectifying others. In hospitals the doctors regularly check the pulse of the patients who have heart problems. Likewise, our hearts also have problems called temptations and desires. We must constantly check our own hearts too, identify the weaknesses and make a concerted effort to overcome them.
Shaykh Yunus Patel رحمة الله عليه once met a successful businessman in Saudi Arabia who began speaking about his investments, wealth and net-worth. Once he finished, Shaykh رحمة الله عليه looked down contemplatively. The businessman was puzzled and enquired about this. Shaykh رحمة الله عليه said that I’m just checking my heart. I’m checking that do I see you as an oil well now, or do I still see you the same – as a container in which the love of Allah can be poured in? And alhamdulillah, I still see you the same. In other words, Shaykh was checking to see if his heart was tempted by the talk of wealth. That was how Shaykh’s life elapsed – his scholarship, widespread influence and status in the community, never distracted him from his own self. From that, we too learn an invaluable lesson. Always check your own heart first.
Shaykh then said that I too have investments here in Saudi Arabia. The businessman became happy, as they do when they hear the term “investments”. He enquired, “What investments?” Shaykh replied that when I come here, I make Tawaaf, Sai’, dua by the Multazim and other acts of worship. These are my investments, make dua that they are all profitable in the hereafter.
May Allah make it so, Aameen.
— Shaykh Dawood Seedat حفظه الله
Above is an extract from Shaykh’s talk on 21/3/2016 in Masjid-ut-Taqwa, Pietermaritzburg. To listen to the full audio, please click here.
