it repents of sins, it is purged of the admixture produced by combining righteous deeds with evil ones. When it repents of sins, its strength and will are freed for righteous deeds, and it finds relief from the corrupt influences that had arisen within it. The heart thus flourishes, growing and attaining completeness.

Allah Most High says:

“Were it not for Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, not one of you would ever have become pure.”

And He Most High says:

“If you are told to go back, then go back; that is purer for you.”

And He says:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.”

And He Most High says:

“Successful indeed is the one who purifies himself, remembers the name of his Lord, and prays.”

And He Most High says:

“Successful indeed is the one who purifies it, and failed indeed is the one who corrupts it.”

And He Most High says:

“What could make you know? Perhaps he might purify himself.”

And He Most High says:

“Then say, ‘Would you be willing to purify yourself, and let me guide you to your Lord so that you may fear Him?’”

Although the primary meaning of tazkiya is growth, blessing, and an increase in goodness, this is achieved only by removing evil. Thus, purification encompasses both meanings.

And He says:

“Woe to those who associate partners with Allah, who do not give zakāh.”

Here, zakāh refers to affirming Allah’s oneness and to faith, through which the heart flourishes. This entails rejecting within the heart the divinity of anything besides the True One and affirming His divinity within it. This is the true meaning of “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,” and it is the foundation upon which hearts flourish.

Tazkiya means making something pure, either in itself or in how it is regarded and spoken of;