35: Practical Dimensions of Tazkiyah/Self-Purification
[Qur'an 91:9]
Tazkiya-tun-Nafs (Self-Purification)
Linguistically, the root of the Arabic term tazkiyah implies ...
- cleansing
- development
Tazkiya-tun-Nafs (self-purification) is certainly rooted in spirituality, and spirituality entails ...
- the development of a heightened level of God-consciousness,
{coupled with} - an increased dedication to the spirit of righteousness
Spirituality thus has an internal dimension as well as an external dimension ...
- Internally, it refers to the purification of the self from the evils of bad intention, deceit, hypocrisy, selfishness, cowardice, arrogance, prejudice ...
- Outwardly, it becomes manifested in one's attitude, behavior and character. As the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle said, "Character is that which reveals moral purpose, exposing the class of things a person chooses or avoids."
Ultimately, tazkiyah entails the internal and external manifestation of ihsaan goodness/excellence. Ihsaan emanates from ...
- God-consciousness - Iemaan
O you who profess belief! Be sincerely dutiful to Allah. Consider carefully what you send forth for the future; be sincerely dutiful to Allah. Surely, Allah is fully informed about all your activities. [Qur'an 59:18] - Pure and sincere intention - Husn-un-niyyah, Ikhlaas-un-niyyah
Integrity is about being honest, being honorable and being yourself at your best. Integrity is about moral maturity; what it is to think and act in a way that reflects the full stature of a good, responsible and rational human being.
Professor Don Cross said, "If I truly know who I am and what I value, and stand firmly for what I believe, and have the courage to act on it, I can not help but be sincere."
Sincerity simplifies one's life, improves integrity and enhances one's ability to deal effectively with others and makes it easier for others to deal with you. Purity of intention - Ikhlaas-un-niyyah - emanates from a sincere heart (Q 26:88-89) based on informed choices (Q18:103-104).
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: Innamal 'amaalu bin niyyaat - "Actions are (judged) by intentions" - Positive consideration - Husn-uz-zann
As people of Faith, we should harbor no unwarranted negativity towards others and also have the decency not to search for faults in others. One way to succeed in this is, to mind one's own business.
Fault-finding inevitably leads to undermining the character of people and sometimes to destroying relationships. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
"The worst of people are those engaged in slandering others, those who ruin relationships between dear ones and who try to find fault with innocent people."
The Prophet also admonished us that "when you pursue the faults of others, you corrupt them." He also warned that "those who unduly pursue the shortcomings of others will have their own faults exposed."
Confucius said: "the great person calls to attention the good points in others while the miserable person calls to attention the defects in others." (Analects 12:16) - Upright character - Husn-ul-khulq
Outer expression of inner purity is the most beautiful and valuable of human abilities.
"Surely good character is part of the completion of Faith". [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)] - Good deeds - Husn-ul-'amal, 'Amal-us-Saalih
Faith - 'Iemaan - and Good deeds 'Amal-us-saalihaat - is the sum total of human duty in this life. Binding ourselves to a wholesome, practical and beneficial philosophy of life and living by its principles gives meaning and purpose to life. The Qur'an emphasizes the most valuable assets we take from this world to the next are ...
Baaqeeyaat-us-saalihaat - the permanency of good actions(Qur'an 18:46)
Qalb-in-saleem - the pure heart(Qur'an 26:88-89)
The Prophet's companion, 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said:
"Speech by itself is worthless unless it is followed by action, speech and action by themselves are
worthless unless based on proper intention."
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) captured the above-mentioned dimensions of spirituality when he said:
"Successful indeed is the person who is sincere in faith, whose heart is pure, whose speech is truthful
and whose character is upright."