Ramadan – Day 9

The Heart That Turns

Bismillāh ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm

In the name of God (Allah), the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

Yesterday we spoke about the soul.

Today we turn to the heart.

Because the battlefield of the nafs

is the heart.

God (Allah) says:

“Has the time not come for those who believe that their hearts should become humbly submissive at the remembrance of God (Allah)?”

(Qur’an 57:16)

Ramadan is that time.

Years ago, I listened to a lesson.

I do not remember the details.

But two du‘ā’ remained.

Two.

One for the soul.

One for the heart.

The Prophet ﷺ used to say:

Allāhumma āti nafsī taqwāhā, wa zakkihā anta khayru man zakkāhā, anta waliyyuhā wa mawlāhā.

(Sahih Muslim)

“O God (Allah), grant my soul its righteousness and purify it. You are the best to purify it. You are its Protector and Master.”

And he ﷺ also said:

Yā Muqallib al-qulūb, thabbit qalbī ‘alā dīnik.

“O Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion.”

Since that day, I repeat them often.

At work.

At home.

Before sleep.

Sometimes I say the du‘ā’ of the soul.

Sometimes the du‘ā’ of the heart.

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Alternating between them.

Because I want to become a very good human being.

And I have come to believe:

These two du‘ā’ are the essence.

Purify the soul.

Stabilize the heart.

If the soul is clean

and the heart is firm —

everything else follows.

Character.

Discipline.

Mercy.

Sincerity.

Ramadan trains hunger.

But these du‘ā’ train the inside.

You ask God (Allah) to clean what you cannot clean alone.

You ask Him to stabilize what constantly turns.

Because the heart turns.

And the nafs resists.

But when you ask —

you admit weakness.

And that admission is strength.

Maybe becoming good is not about achieving perfection.

Maybe it is about constantly asking:

“Purify me.”

“Keep me firm.”

Over and over.

Until the heart softens.

And the soul listens.

Wa-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh.

And peace and the mercy of God / Allah and His blessings be upon you.

Markus A.T.