God Almighty states in the Holy Qur’an:
"The Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any benefit, except to him who comes to Allah with a sound heart."
(Surah al-Shu‘ara, verses 88–89)
This verse speaks of the Hereafter and outlines the prerequisite for the acceptance of deeds in that realm. Only actions accompanied by a sound heart (qalb salīm) will be accepted and prove beneficial in the Afterlife. Worship, good deeds, and acts of charity gain divine acceptance when they stem from a sincere and submissive heart. Deeds originating from a pure heart carry true value in the eternal abode.
To emphasize this, God highlights two major worldly assets: wealth and children. These are considered valuable in this life but hold no worth in the Hereafter. Wealth — or more concretely, money — serves as a means of exchange in this world, but in the next, it is as worthless as dust. Just as dust holds little value here, money loses all its importance there.
The term "banūn" (sons) — plural of ibn (son) — used in this verse, though literally masculine, also includes daughters, as evidenced by usage in other Qur’anic contexts. While children may assist their parents in this world, they hold no influence in the Hereafter. Spiritual elevation in the Afterlife depends on different criteria.
A person’s conduct in this life determines their comfort and salvation in the next. Our deeds should bring us closer to Paradise and distance us from Hell. Righteous action, which is born from a sound heart, is the key to spiritual success. A sound heart will guide and benefit its possessor in the Hereafter.
This qalb salīm is exemplified most perfectly in the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and his pure progeny (peace be upon them all). Their actions and moral excellence reflect their pure hearts.
When the Prophet (PBUH) was first commanded by God to proclaim the message of Islam, he chose the pilgrimage season to deliver it. He went to Masjid al-Haram, where the pre-Islamic Hajj rituals were being performed — though centered around idol worship.
At that time, hundreds of idols were placed inside and around the Ka‘bah. The Prophet (PBUH) ascended Mount Safa so all could see and hear him, and he called out loudly:
"Say: There is no god but Allah, and you will be successful!"
This bold proclamation was like a hammer blow to the polytheists of Mecca. The declaration of lā ilāha illā Allah threatened their entire belief system and religious economy. It denounced the validity of idol worship and declared monotheism as the only path. The polytheists, who had lived their whole lives with their idols, felt deeply threatened. The Prophet (PBUH) made no exceptions; he rejected all idols as false.
Initially, the Prophet (PBUH) faced no violent reaction. But when he moved to Mount Marwah and repeated his call — "Say: There is no god but Allah, and you will be successful!" — the reaction turned hostile. The Meccan ground was sandy and stony, and the enraged idolaters began pelting him with handfuls of gravel and stones.
At that critical moment, the Prophet (PBUH) did not resort to a miracle to shield himself from harm. Prophets and saints only perform miracles when necessary or to complete a proof (ḥujjah). As stones rained down on him, there was real danger that he might be fatally injured. He turned his back to the crowd and walked toward the mountain. The idolaters chased and continued throwing stones.
Hadith and tafsir literature recount that blood flowed from head to toe on the Prophet’s blessed body. He was struck by countless stones, enduring severe pain. His extraordinary physical strength likely saved him from death. Despite the agony and bleeding, he remained conscious — though in immense pain. Perhaps even some small bones were fractured.
This powerful image — of the Prophet (PBUH) bleeding, yet steadfast — is the ultimate symbol of a sound heart. It is a heart full of truth, sincerity, and unwavering dedication to God, undistracted by the world’s illusions of wealth, status, or safety.
In conclusion, the qalb salīm is the real wealth — a treasure in both worlds. It is what God values, and it is what the Prophet (PBUH) and his family (Ahl al-Bayt) exemplify for all of humanity.
At great difficulty, he managed to find refuge in a secluded corner away from the polytheists.
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) became aware of the incident. At the time, he was—outwardly—a ten-year-old youth. Together with Lady Khadijah (peace be upon her), he took some bread and water and went searching for the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) in the mountains. They found him weak and exhausted in a corner, lying on the ground with blood flowing from his body, overwhelmed by weakness. They gave him some bread and water, and his condition improved slightly.
The angels, seeing the Prophet’s state, cried out to God: “O Lord, this is the most noble of all Your creations. Is it fitting that he be treated this way?”
According to narrations, God said to them: “Go to him and carry out whatever the Prophet commands.”
It is worthwhile to briefly explain the role and duties of the angels. Although God Almighty governs the universe with His absolute power, His wisdom has dictated that certain tasks be assigned to intermediaries. Some of these responsibilities are entrusted to the prophets and His chosen ones, and others are carried out by angels.
God has appointed specific angels for various affairs. A group of angels are responsible for children in the wombs of their mothers; these are known as the “Musawwira” (fashioning) angels. Others are tasked with overseeing death. The Holy Qur'an confirms that another group of angels are appointed over sustenance, distributing provisions among the recipients. The management of matters related to the earth, mountains, water, rain, wind, and many other aspects of life are entrusted to specialized groups of angels.
The city of Mecca lies in a unique valley surrounded by mountains. Narrations tell us that a group of angels appointed over the mountains surrounding Mecca came to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and said: “O Messenger of God, if you permit us, we will bring these mountains together to crush the people of Mecca.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) replied: “No.”
Similarly, the angels in charge of the wind requested permission to send a strong wind to blow the people of Mecca against the mountains and destroy them. Again, the Prophet said: “No.”
No matter how many times the angels asked the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) to bring down punishment upon the people of Mecca, he did not give permission. Instead, despite all the harm and suffering he had endured from them, he prayed for their guidance, saying:
“Indeed, I was sent as a mercy. O Allah, guide my people, for surely they do not know.”
Purity of heart and inner sincerity—like all noble traits—can be learned from the exemplar of goodness, the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him and his family). The Holy Qur’an introduces the Prophet as a beautiful model of moral virtues:
“Indeed, in the Messenger of God, you have a good example to follow.”
Despite all the harm he received from the polytheists, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) never harbored hatred toward them. Moreover, the polytheists could have opposed the Prophet’s message through dialogue, not by stoning him. They could have simply asked the Prophet for evidence to support his claim, and if they did not find his reasons convincing, they could have engaged in discussion. But stoning and causing harm are not tools of reasoning and dialogue, and such behavior is ethically unacceptable and beneath human dignity.
The Prophet was a pure spring of moral wisdom—a spring that could not be muddied by the darkness of the polytheists’ hearts, nor could it lose its clarity due to their hatred.
A person’s behavior in their environment—with parents, spouse, children, and coworkers—must be based on a sound heart. Purity of heart is the source of many good deeds and noble traits. This characteristic is essential for those in leadership positions—whether a tribal chief, head of state, or even parents.
Thus, one must strive to cultivate a sound heart and purify it from all impurities to benefit from the blessings that result from it.
Another inspiring example of a sound heart—one that can serve as a model for us—is found in the companion and supporter of the Prophet, Imam Ali (peace and blessings be upon them both and their family).
In the final days of Imam Ali’s life, his assassin, Ibn Muljam al-Muradi (may God curse him), had been captured and brought to his house. The effects of the poison were gradually taking hold of the Imam’s blessed body, and his strength was fading. A little milk was brought for him. Milk has detoxifying properties, although it was not very effective against such a lethal poison.
The Imam drank a little of the milk and then said to his son, Imam Hasan (peace be upon him), to give the rest to his killer.
He also instructed: “For the right I have upon you, feed him from what you eat and give him to drink from what you drink.”
The Imam continued to show concern for Ibn Muljam, even as the poison increasingly weakened his body and he drifted in and out of consciousness. He fed him from his own food and repeatedly asked for his care to be ensured.
The heart of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was an ocean of boundless love and compassion, with no place for hatred. His mercy and kindness toward his murderer are a clear testament to the purity of his heart.
The pure and cleansed hearts of these noble figures serve as lofty examples for those seeking moral virtues and human perfection. Seekers of virtue and pursuers of happiness can find no better models than these two noble individuals.
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) ruled over nearly half the known world in his time, and his commands were enforced across vast lands. Yet despite all this, he treated his unjust and treacherous assassin with the utmost compassion and nobility.
Can rulers find a better example of justice and compassion for the people than him? A ruler who governs his nation with justice and care for the people will not only benefit the society but will also personally enjoy the blessings of this God-pleasing approach.
Such a manner is only possible for someone whose heart is sound and free from worldly impurities.
Parents with pure hearts can be more effective in raising their children. A tribal leader who possesses a sound heart and enough tolerance will earn greater loyalty from their people. This principle holds even more weight in the context of a nation’s ruler.
The purity and integrity of any leader’s heart, no matter their level of authority, will benefit both themselves and the society they govern. The degree to which a leader can guide their community toward happiness is directly linked to their moral clarity and sincerity.
The two examples mentioned—the Prophet and Imam Ali (peace and blessings be upon them and their family)—are unmatched among the infallible figures. Scouring the entirety of human history, one cannot find such rulers.
Over thousands of years, humanity has never seen one like the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), who—despite being harmed by those around him—raised his hands in prayer and asked God to forgive and guide them. Where else can you find a ruler as humble and simple-living as Imam Ali (peace be upon him), who showed such compassion to his own assassin?
Neither among the ancients nor the moderns is there such a ruler.
Yet, as the Qur'an commands us to follow their example, it is possible to walk their path. Everyone should strive—within their capacity—to purify their own heart. To the extent one succeeds in this, they bring about their own happiness.
A correct understanding of happiness and an adjustment of worldly, materialistic mindsets is more essential than anything else.
Contrary to some beliefs that equate happiness with wealth, power, health, or position, true happiness must be sought through a sound heart.
Empty praise from others or their superficial need for someone does not bring true happiness. A person can only secure their own and their dependents’ happiness through a sound heart.
Even in the Hereafter, nothing will have more value than a sound heart.
A sound heart is not only beneficial to Muslims; it can also benefit non-believers—and may even be the means of their salvation and happiness.
Many pious scholars, following in the footsteps of the Prophet and Imam Ali (peace be upon them), possessed pure and sound hearts. There are many stories about their sincerity and purity of heart.
To cultivate and purify the heart, one must roll up their sleeves and strive to cleanse it of impurities—those pollutants that slowly settle into the heart as a result of wrongful and illegitimate actions.
One effective method for purifying the heart is supplication. Praying to the Almighty and seeking the intercession of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) is a powerful means of achieving this goal.
The second key is resolve and determination—to consistently and gradually work on self-discipline so that, little by little, the heart becomes sound.
Progress in spiritual matters requires patience and persistence. These matters are often slow and gradual. But through this ongoing effort, a person can create a happy and fulfilling life for themselves, both in this world and the next.
May the Blessed and Exalted God grant us all this success.
And may peace and blessings be upon our master and Prophet Muhammad and his pure family.
