Why Purification Is the Secret to True Fulfillment

DAILYREFLECTION

We begin life in a state of purity, what the Qur’an calls fitrah, the original nature upon which Allah created us. A heart clear, unblemished, and free of corruption. Yet as we grow, anxiety, greed, and heedlessness creep in. We inherit fears from our parents, anxieties from society, and desires from culture. Slowly, the heart becomes veiled.

The Prophet ﷺ gave us a striking image: “The difference between the one who remembers Allah and the one who does not is like the difference between the living and the dead.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Remembrance brings life, heedlessness is death. And is this not how many describe depression today? “I feel dead inside.” Not necessarily overwhelmed by sadness, but flattened, numb, unable to feel.

Psychologists describe this as disconnection from purpose, meaning, and relationships. Our scholars explained it as distance from the Creator, the Giver of life to the heart. How often do we find people who have wealth and status, yet feel empty, while others who own little shine with serenity simply because they are connected to their Lord?

Allah describes the human being as restless, discontent, and anxious, except those who pray. Here prayer is not limited to the five daily ṣalāh, though that is the foundation. It is about a life lived in remembrance, with hearts that never forget their Lord.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ told us, “Purity is half of faith.” (Sahih Muslim)

Imam al-Ghazālī explained that faith is perfected when the heart is cleansed of what Allah dislikes and adorned with what He loves. This purification is not abstract, reserved only for the Hereafter. It is the secret to living fully here and now.

A purified heart tastes tranquility. The constant restlessness begins to fade. Where once was anxiety, there is contentment, the kind of peace that cannot be purchased, only gifted by Allah. Life itself transforms. Eating, walking, working, every act gains depth. A smile becomes worship. A moment of patience becomes a treasure.

Our relationships shift as well.

A purified heart sees others with gentler eyes.

Empathy replaces judgment.

Kindness flows freely.

People are drawn not to what we achieve but to the safety and warmth of our presence.

And with purification comes clarity. We move with confidence, guided by purpose. Wisdom emerges in unexpected moments, insights that feel less like our own and more like gifts from above. These fruits cannot be fully described, only tasted by experience.

REFLECT ON THIS:

How often do we pause to cleanse our hearts, not just our hands, so that remembrance may revive us and anxiety may fade?

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DUAREQUEST

Ya Allah, grant Safeera Ayob’s children, their spouses, and their progeny steadfastness in ṣalāh, guide them to always walk upon the straight path, and fill their hearts with taqwā and tawakkul in You. Shower little Nuwailah with the best of this world and the Hereafter, making her a source of light, barakah, and joy. Ameen.

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WATERMELONWATCH

• Israeli military, pushed deeper into Gaza City’s Sheikh Radwan area, destroying homes and facilities and killing at least 24 Palestinians, including children.

• Humanitarian crisis, continues to worsen with severe malnutrition and starvation; the Gaza Health Ministry reports mounting deaths from hunger while UN agencies warn famine is expanding across the region.

• Tent‑camp resilience, among displaced Palestinians is visible, even in the midst of despair, individuals and families in overcrowded shelters along Gaza City's seafront strive to maintain routines and human dignity.

• Evacuation dilemma, looms large: despite evacuation orders to move south, only a fraction of Gaza City's nearly one million residents have fled—most face insurmountable obstacles, while some choose to stay to care for dependents.

• Global attention, grows, Belgium plans to recognize Palestine at the UN and impose sanctions on Israel, and public dissent within Israel is rising as protests demand an end to the conflict and the return of hostages

QURANCORNER

Each day you’ll be introduced to one of the 300 most common Qur’anic words. The Qur’an has about 77,430 words in total, all built on just 2,000 root words. By learning these frequently recurring ones, you’ll recognize 70–80% of the Qur’an’s vocabulary and begin connecting more deeply as you read.

Ar-Raḥmān (ٱلرَّحْمَـٰن) - The Most Merciful

Ar-Raḥmān is mercy that floods without asking, love that gives before we deserve. It comes from the same root as raḥim, the womb, a place of warmth, protection, and care. His mercy surrounds every soul, believer or not, like the sun that rises for all. To begin in His Name is to begin wrapped in infinite compassion.