Central Khutbah: “Refresh Your Faith Through Acts of the Heart” (Gallery)
Have you ever felt a sense of distance between yourself and Allah, where performing acts of worship feels burdensome? Have you noticed hardness in your heart, a weakness in faith, or a lack of enjoyment in worship? These states, known as lassitude (futûr) and weakness of faith, occasionally affect every believer.
The Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Faith wears out in your hearts just as clothing wears out. So, ask Allah to renew the faith in your hearts.” (Reported by Al-Hakim and At-Tabarani)
The heart of a believer is like the moon, whose brightness is sometimes veiled by a cloud but shines again once the cloud dissipates. Similarly, the heart can recover with Allah’s help and the believer’s effort.
Symptoms of Lassitude:
• Hardness of the heart,
• Tightness in the chest,
• Distance from Allah and others,
• Neglect of matters that are doubtful,
• Weakness of fraternal bonds.
Remedies for Lassitude:
- Continuous Self-Assessment
Monitoring the state of one’s faith helps the believer correct mistakes in a timely manner. Allah says:
“O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow.” (Al-Hashr, 18)
- Reflective Recitation of the Quran
The Quran is a remedy for the diseases of the heart:
“And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers.” (Al-Isra, 82)
Reflecting on its meanings leads to spiritual healing.
- Remembrance and Glorification of Allah
Dhikr purifies the heart and brings tranquility:
“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Ar-Ra’d, 28)
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
“There is a hardness in the heart that can only be softened by remembrance and glorification of Allah.”
- Sincere Supplications
Calling upon Allah is essential. Allah promises:
“Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” (Ghafir, 60)
In prostration, the believer is closest to Allah, and sincere supplications are never rejected.
A believer who continuously renews their faith, maintains a pure heart, and seeks Allah’s help through dhikr and supplications, gains the best provision for both this world and the Hereafter.
O Most Merciful Allah, we ask You to renew the faith in our hearts and to keep us firm on the Straight Path!
(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on January 24, 2025, at the “Association Islamique Ihsan” in Dudelange)
