Shubahat and Shahawat: Two Diseases of the Heart - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

Summary

The video discusses the spiritual diseases of the heart, which are divided into two types: shubuhat (diseases related to understanding, such as doubt and fear) and shahawat (base desires like food and sex). A sound heart trusts in Allah and remains still through His remembrance. Anxiety and turmoil arise when the heart is deprived of spiritual nourishment. The Quran and prayer are essential in maintaining a healthy heart. The speaker emphasizes the importance of constant connection with Allah to achieve peace and avoid heedlessness.

Takeaways

• 🧡 Diseases of the heart are divided into two types: diseases related to understanding and diseases related to desires.
• 🌱 A sound heart trusts in Allah completely, whereas a sick heart harbors doubt and fear.
• 🕊️ The heart is designed to be in a state of stillness, achieved through the remembrance of Allah.
• 🌀 Anxiety and turmoil arise when the heart is not remembering Allah, leading to spiritual diseases.
• 🌬️ Just as the body needs oxygen, the heart needs the remembrance of Allah to remain healthy.
• 👥 The company of good people nourishes the heart, along with the remembrance and exercise of faith.
• 📜 The Quran reminds people of the importance of nourishing their hearts for spiritual health.
• 🌟 Humans are born in a natural state but learn anxiety from their environment, moving away from their inherent nature.
• 🙏 People of constant prayer and connection with Allah are free from the state of anxiety and turmoil.
• 🔥 Base desires (shahat) like food and sex are diseases when they are out of proportion, requiring balance and moderation.

Q & A

What are the two types of spiritual diseases of the heart mentioned in the script?

The two types of spiritual diseases of the heart mentioned are 'shat' (diseases related to understanding) and 'shahat' (base desires of the self).

What is an example of a 'shat' disease?

An example of a 'shat' disease is being fearful of one's provision from Allah, which reflects a lack of trust in Allah.

Why is a lack of trust in Allah considered a disease of the heart?

A lack of trust in Allah is considered a disease of the heart because a sound heart trusts in Allah absolutely, while a sick heart has doubt.

What is the natural state of the heart according to the script?

The natural state of the heart is to be in a state of Stillness, which is achieved through the remembrance of Allah.

What happens to the heart when Allah is not remembered?

When Allah is not remembered, the heart goes into a state of agitation and turmoil, becoming diseased because it is not being fed properly.

What is the 'breath' of the heart?

The 'breath' of the heart is the remembrance of Allah, which nourishes and feeds the heart.

What role does the company of good people play for the heart?

The company of good people serves as the food for the heart, helping to keep it sound and healthy.

What does the Quran remind people regarding their hearts?

The Quran reminds people that their hearts need to be nourished through the remembrance of Allah and that a sound heart is necessary for a good state in the next world.

How does the script describe the inherent nature of human beings?

The script describes the inherent nature of human beings as being created in a state of anxiety, which is learned from parents and society.

Who are the people that are removed from the state of anxiety according to the script?

The people removed from the state of anxiety are those who are people of prayer and always in a state of connection with Allah.

What are 'shahat' and how do they relate to the heart?

Shahat are the base desires of the self, such as for food and sex, and they become diseases of the heart when they are out of proportion to their natural state.

What is the method in Islam for making the heart sound again?

Islam provides a method by which the heart can become sound again through practices that ensure the heart remains firm in the faith, such as constant remembrance of Allah and prayer.

Outlines

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💓 Understanding the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart

This paragraph introduces the concept of spiritual diseases of the heart, dividing them into two types. The first type, 'shat', relates to understanding and trust in Allah. It explains how fear and anxiety stem from a lack of trust, leading to a diseased heart. The heart, naturally designed to be still, finds peace through the remembrance of Allah. Without this remembrance, the heart becomes agitated and diseased. The paragraph emphasizes that just as the body needs oxygen, the heart needs the remembrance of Allah for nourishment and health. Good company and prayer are essential for a healthy heart, reminding people that the Quran advocates for a sound heart.

🌍 The Inherent Nature and Learned Anxiety of Human Beings

This paragraph discusses how humans are born in a state of original nature, free from anxiety. However, as they grow, they learn anxiety from their surroundings, including parents and society. The Quran states that humans are created in a state of anxiety, but those who engage in constant prayer and remembrance of Allah can transcend this state. These individuals are always connected to Allah, avoiding heedlessness. This constant state of prayer is not limited to the five daily prayers but is a perpetual connection with Allah, leading to a higher spiritual station.

🍽️ Desires and Appetites as Diseases of the Heart

The paragraph explains the second type of spiritual disease, 'shahat', which refers to base desires and appetites such as food and sex. These desires become diseases when they exceed their natural state. Islam provides a means to restore the heart to a sound state. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) often prayed for a firm heart, illustrating the importance of maintaining a healthy spiritual heart. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the need for Muslims to remember these teachings and strive for a sound heart through the methods prescribed in Islam.

Keywords

💡Spiritual Diseases

Spiritual diseases refer to the ailments of the heart in a metaphysical sense, as opposed to physical illnesses. These are conditions that affect one's soul and spirituality, leading to a lack of inner peace and trust in divine provision. The video emphasizes that these spiritual diseases are detrimental to a person's relationship with Allah (God) and can manifest as fear, doubt, and anxiety about worldly matters, which contrasts with a sound heart that is in constant remembrance of Allah.

💡Sound Heart

A sound heart is described as one that has complete trust in Allah and remains at peace, free from the doubts and anxieties that plague a diseased heart. This concept is central to the video's theme, highlighting the importance of spiritual health over material concerns. The speaker illustrates that a sound heart is achieved through remembrance of Allah and by maintaining a state of spiritual awareness, which keeps it firm and resilient against life's challenges.

💡Shat

Shat refers to the type of spiritual diseases related to understanding and belief. These diseases are characterized by a lack of trust and certainty in Allah's provision and promises. In the context of the video, shat is exemplified by fears about daily sustenance and the future, where a diseased heart cannot fully rely on divine support. The concept underscores the need for a correct understanding and trust in divine wisdom as a means to purify the heart and maintain spiritual equilibrium.

💡Shahawat

Shahawat are the base desires and appetites of the self, such as those for food and sex, which can become spiritual diseases when they are excessive or unbalanced. The video explains that while these desires are natural, their dominance over one's actions can lead to moral and spiritual corruption. Islam provides guidelines to regulate these desires, promoting moderation and self-control to ensure they do not disrupt one's spiritual state or relationship with Allah.

💡Remembrance of Allah

The remembrance of Allah, also known as 'Dhikr,' is portrayed as the essential nourishment for the heart, akin to oxygen for the body's cells. The video stresses that regularly engaging in the remembrance of Allah brings about peace and stillness to the heart, which is otherwise prone to agitation and turmoil. This concept is pivotal, as it links spiritual well-being to the continuous consciousness of the divine, thereby healing and protecting the heart from spiritual diseases.

💡Fitrah

Fitrah is the inherent nature or original state of purity in which human beings are created. According to the video, people are born with a natural inclination towards faith and righteousness, but societal influences and personal experiences can lead them astray, causing anxiety and spiritual ailments. The concept of fitrah serves as a reminder of the potential for returning to one's innate goodness and spiritual soundness through conscious efforts and divine guidance.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is depicted as a state of unease and fear stemming from spiritual imbalances and diseases of the heart. In the video, anxiety is contrasted with the peace of a sound heart, highlighting how it arises from worldly attachments and forgetfulness of Allah. The speaker emphasizes that while humans are created with tendencies toward anxiety, true liberation and tranquility are found through spiritual practices like prayer and remembrance, which align the heart with divine assurance and purpose.

💡Prayer

Prayer, beyond the obligatory five daily prayers, is portrayed as a constant state of connection and communion with Allah. The video describes those who maintain this state of prayer as being protected from the distractions of commerce and worldly affairs, thereby avoiding heedlessness. This continuous engagement with prayer ensures that one's heart remains firm and undisturbed by spiritual diseases, fostering a deep sense of devotion and alignment with divine will.

💡Heedlessness

Heedlessness is the state of being inattentive or oblivious to spiritual duties and the remembrance of Allah. The video identifies heedlessness as a major contributing factor to the development of spiritual diseases, as it allows worldly concerns to overshadow divine consciousness. This concept serves as a warning against neglecting spiritual responsibilities, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and mindfulness to prevent the heart from becoming diseased and distant from Allah.

💡Stillness of the Heart

The stillness of the heart refers to a state of inner peace and tranquility achieved through the remembrance of Allah. The video asserts that the heart is designed to be still, free from the chaos and disturbances of worldly life, but this stillness is disrupted by spiritual diseases. By nurturing the heart with divine remembrance and adhering to spiritual practices, individuals can restore its natural state of stillness, leading to a harmonious and fulfilling spiritual life.

Highlights

These are called the diseases of the heart, specifically spiritual diseases.

Diseases of the heart are divided into two types: shat (relating to understanding) and shahat (relating to base desires).

A sound heart trusts in Allah absolutely, while a sick heart has doubt.

Fear of not getting provision is a disease of the heart because it shows a lack of trust in Allah.

The ego and love of the ephemeral world lead to fear and anxiety, not the heart itself.

The heart is designed to be in a state of stillness, achieved through the remembrance of Allah.

When Allah is not remembered, the heart becomes agitated and diseased.

The heart needs the remembrance of Allah just as the body needs oxygen to survive.

The company of good people and spiritual practices are necessary for a healthy heart.

Transcripts

[Music]

and these are called the diseases of the

heart these are the spiritual diseases

of the heart now these diseases are

divided into two there are two types of

diseases the first are called

shat and these are diseases that relate

to the understanding so for instance if

somebody is fearful of their provision

from Allah subhana wa tala

if they actually they're afraid that

they won't get their their food for the

day or their

provision this is a disease of the heart

because the a sound heart has trust a

sound heart actually trust in Allah

subhana wa taala and a sick heart has

doubt so the sound heart trust in Allah

subhana wa tala absolutely and this is

why the heart is actually the heart does

not worry the heart it's the nut

it's it's the ego of the human being

it's it's Shan it's the The Caprice the

and and the love of this ephemeral world

that all lead to this state of of fear

of anxiety the heart in and of itself is

actually an organ designed to be in a

state of Stillness but the Stillness

will only come about by the remembrance

of Allah

subhana isn't it by the th of Allah that

the heart is stilled that this is what

the heart wants it wants to remember

Allah subhana wa taala and when when

Allah is not remembered when human

beings forget Allah subhah wa taala then

what happens is the heart goes into a

state of agitation it goes into a state

of turmoil and it gets diseased because

it's not being fed just like the cells

need life-giving oxygen in order for we

need to breathe if we stop breathing

cells die and we die the heart also

needs to breathe and the breath of the

heart is the remembrance of Allah

subhana wa tala this is what feeds the

heart this is what nourishes the heart

the company of PE of good people is the

food of the heart the the the the

exercise of the heart all of these

things are necessary for the heart to be

sound and healthy and this is basically

what the Quran has come it's come to

remind people that their hearts need to

be nourished and and this is why Allah

subhah wa ta'ala tells us that the the

the human being that will be in a good

state in the next world is the one who

brings a sound heart now we enter into

the world basically in a state of f or a

state of of the original nature the

inherent nature of the human being and

then we learn to be anxious we learn

anxiety from our mothers we learn

anxiety from our fathers we learn

anxiety from our society all of these

things and this is why the human being

is created in a state of

anxiety that the human being is

literally created uh the Quran says that

we're created in a state

of

and and this state of which is anxiety

is the the the one group of people that

are removed from the state are the

people who are people of prayer they're

people of prayer and this prayer is not

the prayer of five times a day but there

are people who

are they're always in a state of prayer

they're always in a state of connection

with Allah subhana wa tala and this is

the highest station this is the station

of people who do not neither buying nor

nor Commerce diverts them from the

remembrance of Allah subhana wa taala

they're the ones who remember Allah

standing sitting and reclining on their

sides these are the people who are who

are not the the people of they're not

the people of heedlessness so this first

dis type of disease are these are called

shat and then the second type are called

shahat and the shahat are the desires

they're the base desires of the self for

instance food sex the the these are

these are shahat these are appetites and

these are also diseases when they're out

of proportion to their natural state and

basically what we have in Islam is we

have a method or a means by which our

hearts can be become sound they can

become safe again the the prophet

sallallahu alaihi wasallam they said

that the that he did more than any other

was oh Turner over of the hearts make my

heart firm on your dean and so this is

basically what Muslims uh have to be

reminded

[Music]

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