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Cures for Diseases of the Heart

Question

I have honestly diagnosed the diseases of my heart but I don't know their cures and I really want to change myself. May you please list all the cures for the following diseases? They are as follows:1) Over eating and eating to fast2) Over sleeping3) Anger (bad temper)4) Impatience and anxiety5) Looking at Haram things (women) and masturbating6) Laziness7) Lack of motivation8) Disorganized, no time management9) Having ill feelings or hatred towards some Muslim brothers10) Swearing11) Joking too much12) Laughing too much13) Talking too much14) Criticizing too much

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

At first sight, psychological diseases seem unchangeable and incurable, but in fact, in the view of Sharee'ah they do not have any weight, are like the passing clouds that cover the good nature for a while. We believe that the questioning brother still keeps his good nature, so he merely needs some suggestions that will help him to get rid of his situation. We are of the opinion that this will be his good beginning.

The answer in brief is as following:

1) Sincerity is the main element to get success and a cure from these diseases. If one is sincere with Allah, surely He will help him.

2) Learning the Quran and the Sunnah and understanding them according to the understanding of the Companions of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and their followers is compulsory to become cured of such diseases. The most beneficial book in this concern is 'Riyad as-Saliheem' compiled by Imam An-Nawawi.

3) Implementing the knowledge of the Sharee'ah, aspiring to worship Allah, and following the Prophet's  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) way of worship is very important.

4) Taking seriously the matter of what is lawful and what is forbidden and not taking lightly the matter of sin even if they are minor. In addition, making sincere repentance, asking forgiveness from Allah, and feeling sorry for one's transgressions.

5) Making diligent efforts to purify oneself. Indeed faith increases by good deeds and decreases by bad deeds.

Among the most beneficial actions that help one to purify oneself is studying the biography of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) and the righteous predecessors. Trying one's best to follow their conduct and manners.
Furthermore, you should befriend pious people and frequently visit mosques.

6) Concentrating on the reading of the books that deal with good manners. These books contain many cures offered in the Quran and Hadeeth for the diseases you mentioned in your question.

The above-mentioned are only a few basic recommendations, if you try them you will find them useful.

Seek help from Allah, and have trust only in Him; He is sufficient for you and us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs.
We mention here in some detail indications of the mentioned diseases.

1) Excess eating; it is narrated in Musnad Ahmad and At-Tirmithi from Miqdam ibn Ma'di karb that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “No man fills a pot worse than his stomach. For a person a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. But if he wants to fill his stomach then he should divide his stomach into three parts. He should fill one third of the belly with food, another third with drink, and leave one third empty for easy breathing.” It is proved that excessive eating causes many diseases.” [Please refer to Zaad al-Mee’ad, Vol: 4]

2) Bad feelings against Muslims. Anas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales, and do not look for the others' faults, and do not do spying on one another, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert (stop talking) to one another, and do not hate one another. And be Allah's slaves and brothers.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

3) Not leaning towards comfort and luxury in life. Mu’adh  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Avoid indulging much in luxury since the sincere slaves of Allah are not those who indulge in luxury.” [Ahmad with a sound chain]

4) Swearing, abusing, and masturbation.

Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) was asked about the things which would enable most people to enter Paradise. He answered: “Being careful about one's obligations to Allah, and good behavior.” Thereafter, he was asked: “What are those things, which will lead a person into Hell? He answered: “His mouth and his private parts.” [At-Tirmithi who graded it as good and sound]

5) Anger: Al-Bukhari narrated that a man said to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ): “Advise me!” The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said, “Do not become angry and furious.” The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said in each case, “Do not become angry and furious.

For more details, please refer to ‘Riyadh al-Saliheen’ and the fourth volume from the book of Zaad al-Mee’aad written by Ibn Qayyim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him.

Allah knows best.

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