Yet when the base image of this lower world—its love, desire, and attachment—takes hold of it, the heart grows constricted and dark, distancing itself from its own perfection and success.

In the end, hearts divide into two: a heart that is the Throne of the All-Merciful, containing light, life, joy, happiness, delight, and the treasures of every good; and a heart that is the throne of Satan, where there is constriction, darkness, death, sorrow, anxiety, and grief. Such a heart sorrows over what has passed, worries about what is to come, and is distressed in the present.

Al-Tirmidhi and others (1) transmit that the Prophet ﷺ said, “When light enters the heart, it opens up and expands.” They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what is its sign?” He replied, “Turning toward the Abode of Eternity, shunning the Abode of Delusion, and preparing for death before it arrives.”

That light which enters the heart is but one of the reflections of the Supreme Attribute; hence the heart widens and opens. When it lacks knowledge of Allah and love for Him, its portion is only darkness and constriction.

A Point of Benefit

Reflect on the discourse of the Quran and you will find a Sovereign who possesses the whole dominion and to whom all praise belongs. The reins of every affair are in His two Hands; all matters originate from Him and return to Him. He is established upon the throne of His sovereignty; nothing in the expanse of His kingdom is hidden from Him. He knows what lies within the souls of His servants, is fully aware of their secrets and their public deeds, and single-handedly governs the realm: He hears and He sees,