This particular book is different from others that deal with the same topic in that the main text is poetry, albeit translated from the original Arabic, not surprising since poetry is still a massive part of certain cultures in the east and somewhat lost and forgotten in the west. The book is actually a translation of a poem called "Matharat al-Qulub" (literally 'purification of the hearts') written by Shaykh Muhammad Mawlud, a great scholar from Mauritania. In fact, one of the great saints of Islam, Sidi Ahmad Zarruq defined Sufism as 'sincerity in turning to Allah'. Although this is literally translated as sufism, a more meaningful interpretation would be 'purification'. Purification of the Heart by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is one such book that deals with the Islamic science of tasawwuf. Ĭonsequently, the scholars of Islam wrote countless texts on how to cleanse and purify one's heart from 'spiritual diseases' that may cause one to defy the sacred law, or at least lead one to do so. In a sound tradition, Muhammad stated while pointing his fingers towards the heart, "Verily, God looks not at your bodies nor at your faces but He looks at your hearts". A verse of the Noble Quran states, "In this is a lesson for every man who has a heart or gives ear with full attention". It has been said by our illustrious predecessors that the intellect lies in the heart.
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