How do I purify my heart in Islam?
Tazkiyah is the inner science of Islam. The scholars treated the heart like soil — and purification as the long, unglamorous work of pulling out what shouldn't be growing in it.
10 passages from 6 books in the library
Purification of the heart is the slow, inward work of removing what should not grow in it. Al-Ghazali, citing the tradition that "for everything there is a purification, and the purification of the body is fasting," links bodily discipline like hunger to inner cleansing. He teaches that the heart and limbs should pursue the essence of every action, striving to correct and purify deeds from their flaws, and that purity in giving is proportional to one's spending and joy in spending for Allah's sake. The work is unglamorous but constant.
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 6 books by Imam al-Ghazali, Ibn al-Qayyim, Imam al-Dhahabī, and Ibn Kathir — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
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"Upon completing the cleansing, say: "O Allah, purify my heart from hypocrisy and protect my private parts from indecency," and rub hands on a wall or ground to remove remaining odor. Combining water and stone is recommended. It is narrated that when the verse "In it are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves" was revealed, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, asked the people of Quba, "What is this purification that Allah praised?"
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"and upon his pure family, a prayer that shields us on the Day of Judgment. The Prophet, peace be upon him, emphasized the importance of cleanliness, saying: "Religion is founded on cleanliness," and "The key to prayer is purification. Allah the Exalted said: "In it are men who love to purify themselves. And Allah loves those who purify themselves."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Whoever endures hunger, their thoughts are magnified, and their heart is perceptive." The narrative "Whoever eats and sleeps, their heart becomes hard," followed by, "Indeed, for everything there is a purification, and the purification of the body is hunger," was reported by Ibn Majah from the narration of Abu Huraira, "For everything, there is a purification, and the purification of the body is fasting," though its chain is weak."
14th century · Damascus, Syria
Madārij al-Sālikīn — the classical map of the spiritual journey — and a vast body of work on the soul, love, the traps of the ego, and the nature of the heart.
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"اِبْن سِيرِين and اِبْن زَيْد mentioned the command to purify garments from impurities that invalidate prayer, as the polytheists did not purify themselves or their garments. طَاوُس suggested shortening garments as a form of purification. The first opinion is the most correct. Purifying garments from impurities and shortening them is part of the commanded purification, as it completes the rectification of deeds and morals."
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"As-Sa'di noted that a righteous man is said to have clean garments, while an immoral one has filthy garments. سَعِيد بْن جُبَيْر added: And your heart and your house purify. الحَسَن and القُرَظِيّ emphasized improving one's character. اِبْن سِيرِين and اِبْن زَيْد mentioned the command to purify garments from impurities that invalidate prayer, as the polytheists did not purify themselves or their garments."
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"This is the reality of the sound heart, which none shall be saved except those who come to اللّٰه with it. This is the true purification of the righteous, the close, and the knowledgeable. Any purification other than this is incomplete. This is the purification of those with firm resolve. Then the شَيْخ explained the cause of opposition and how the servant rejects it."
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"It heals wounds inflicted by hypocrisy. It washes away accumulated filth and sins, purifying with the cold water of pure truth before purification by fire and boiling water. No heart tainted with desires and hypocrisy will be near the Merciful. Purification is necessary, and the wise choose the easier and more beneficial purification."
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
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"numbers. Odd numbers are recommended, and cleansing is obligatory. Do not purify using anything other than the left hand. Say upon completing the purification, O Allah, purify my heart from hypocrisy, and safeguard my private part from vice. Clean your hand after completing purification with earth, or by rubbing it against a wall, and then wash it."
13th–14th century · Damascus, Syria
Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ — the monumental biographical dictionary of Islamic scholarship, from the companions of the Prophet ﷺ through al-Dhahabī's own era. A working-scholar reference used for seven centuries.
More on Imam al-Dhahabī →
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"is in a state of major ritual impurity and does not purify himself, treating it as a habit. The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to visit his wives with one purification. In this, there is a delay in purification beyond the first time it becomes obligatory. Aisha said, The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would sleep while in a state of major ritual impurity and would not touch water."
14th century · Bosra, Syria
Monumental history Al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah, the world's most widely read Qurʾanic commentary, and the classical Stories of the Prophets.
More on Ibn Kathir →
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"upon him, said, This verse was revealed concerning the people of Kuba. In it are men who love to purify themselves, and Allah loves those who purify themselves. He said they would use water for purification, and this verse was revealed about them. Al-Tirmidhi noted that this narration is unique from this perspective. It is said that Yunus Ibn Al-Harith is weak, and Allah knows best."
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