Follow the instincts of a sincere heart nourished by love

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23: We all know the saying: ‘Follow your head and not your heart’.

I always thought this phrase to mean that one should be unemotional in one’s dealings since as when one relies on the heart to make decision — most likely one ends up hurt and disappointed.

However, over the years I have rebuked that meaning and I tend to lean towards the meaning that the Qur’an expresses — I feel that the heart should be the leading factor in all affairs.

Quran 2:225: God will not take you to task for a slip, but He will take you to task for what your hearts have earned.

The heart symbolizes love — and what makes the world go round? Love, of course.

If people follow their hearts, my opinion is that the world would be a far better place. 

Bermuda would return to the old Bermuda — where we felt safe even with our doors unlocked.

I remember as a teenager, just turning 16 and acquiring my bike licence, one Saturday evening me and my girlfriends  Rosalie, Sophie, Cherilyn and Bepsi would ride for hours all over the island, usually finishing up just before our curfew time of midnight; and we felt quite safe.

Today however, we hear sad tales of people being robbed while riding on our once safe roads. In fact, one incident happened this week which was right in my old neighbourhood.

My dear friend and mentor, my gym buddy, and as my young daughter Zaynah dubbed her “Cool people” — Ida James, a lovely lady, who would not hurt a fly. With her kind and loving self, she had love, life and much more to offer this community; struck down and snuffed out because of a heartless act.

On hearing things like this, I wonder, where are these peoples’ hearts?

The ‘heart’ in Islam is not just a piece of flesh in your body, but it is the centre of all your feelings, emotions, motives, drives, aspirations, remembrance and attention.

A hadith states that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Certainly Allah does not look on your wealth. He only watches your actions and approaches.”

Another hadith says,“Be careful! Surely there is in the body a small piece of flesh. If the piece of flesh is perfectly pure, the whole body is pure; it means the entire human body is administered perfectly. And if it is corrupted, the whole body is corrupted. Therefore, the person performs different sinful acts.”

Therefore, it is our heart that we must tend to, we know that our physical heart needs special, nurturing and loving care.

I believe the highest cause of death in the western hemisphere is heart disease, hence, it is my opinion that the highest cause of sin and vile actions is the poor emotional condition of the heart.

How do we condition our heart to do right?

Allah says by remembering Him and following His guidance as well as following the behaviour of our dear Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

The Qur’an has been regarded as the Heart of the Scriptures and therefore by reading and studying the Qur’an and acting upon its guidance we will attain purity of the heart. Quran 39:23: It is the heart which softens.

Finally in reality, it is the way of the heart for which we shall be accountable, and only the one who brings before his God a sound and sincere heart will deserve to be saved.

My resolution is to both physically and spiritually get myself together, and whomever I can influence, please follow.

It is my intention to feed my heart good nourishing food and exercise. 

In addition to eating what the heart wants, nourishing the heart with good intentions, companions, activities, challenges, feelings, and care will pave the way for positive changes that will last a lifetime and gain me entry into the Jennah, inshallah.

My mantra is “the heart of a Muslim is sincere”.

13:28: Verily in the Remembrance of God do hearts find rest.  Ameen.