heartedness, we should perform those deeds which create softness in the heart. Let’s listen to some cures for this spiritual ailment.

Develop the fear of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ!

One of the things that soften the heart is to recite the Holy Quran as much as possible and ponder over those verses which mention the punishments of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ by virtue of its blessings, fear will develop in the heart and the heart will become soft. In verse 23 of Surah Az-Zumar, part 23, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has stated:

اَللّٰہُ    نَزَّلَ   اَحۡسَنَ   الۡحَدِیۡثِ   کِتٰبًا   مُّتَشَابِہًا   مَّثَانِیَ ٭ۖ
 تَقۡشَعِـرُّ   مِنۡہُ  جُلُوۡدُ   الَّذِیۡنَ   یَخۡشَوۡنَ  رَبَّہُمۡ  ۚ   ثُمَّ    تَلِیۡنُ   جُلُوۡدُ  ہُمۡ   وَ  قُلُوۡ  بُہُمۡ    اِلٰی   ذِکۡرِ اللّٰہِ ؕ

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: Allah has sent down the best of Books (the Holy Quran), which is consistent throughout, the one with paired statements; the hairs on the skins of those who fear their Lord, stand on end with it; then their skins and their hearts soften, inclined towards the remembrance of Allah. (Part 23, Surah Az-Zumar, verse 23)

If only we could also have the privilege to recite the Holy Quran daily! If only we could also be blessed with the fear of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ by virtue of the blessings of pondering over the blessed verses!

If only we could always think about a bad end and the displeasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, but how extremely regretful it is that we do not realize it. We have wasted our childhood, youth and old age in useless acts. Did we ever feel the fear of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ during this period of time? Have we ever wept due to the fear of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ? Have we ever stopped committing a sin just by thinking about its punishment? Have we ever felt terror from sins by thinking about the displeasure of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ?

If the answer is yes, then ponder, if we have ever had these conditions, then have we had the privilege to act upon the practical requirements of fear of