has mentioned the fundamental principle (i.e., a soft heart can only be obtained by consuming halal).’”

Sayyidunā ꜤUmar b. Ṣāliḥ رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه says, “I then met Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Wahhāb al-Warrāq رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه and asked him the same question, to which he also replied, ‘The heart is softened through the remembrance of Allah’. I said, ‘I visited Imam Ahmad b. Hanbal.’

Hearing this, his face lit up with joy and he asked, ‘What did he advise?’

 I answered by mentioning that the imam said the softness of the heart lies in halal sustenance. Sayyidunā ꜤAbd al-Wahhāb al-Warrāq رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه replied in the same manner, ‘The imam has mentioned the fundamental principle (i.e., a heart cannot soften without consuming halal).’”^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers, ponder! The testimony of these three saints is that the most important thing for the softness and purity of the heart is consuming halal. Based on this, consider the importance of being cautious in buying and selling, and trading with utmost integrity. If we have been careless in buying or selling, and something belonging to someone else has come into our possession unlawfully, it may seem like a minor mistake, but it can ruin the state of the heart. Therefore, caution in buying and selling is absolutely necessary.

A Unique Book on the Topic of Asceticism

Someone once asked Imam Muhammad b. Ḥasan al-Shaybānī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, the brilliant student of al-Imam al-AꜤẓam رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه: "O noble one, can you write a book on the subject of asceticism?"

He replied, "I have already written a book on this topic."