Four Poisons of the Heart

[Red Flower]

Extract from the book "Purification of the Soul"

By Ibn ul Qayyum al Jawziyya, Imam Abul Hameed al Ghazali and Ibn Rajab
al hanbali.


Four Poisons of the Heart

1. Unnecessary Talking

Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said:
"A person who talks too much is a person who often makes mistakes, and someone who often makes mistakes, often has wrong actions. The Fire has a priority over such a frequent sinner."


2. Unrestrained Glances

It has been related that the Prophet (s) once said words to the effect:
"The glance is a poisoned arrow of shaytan. Whoever lowers his gaze for Allah, He will bestow upon him a refreshing sweetness which he will find in his heart on the day that he meets Him."


3. Too Much Food

Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'd Yakrib said:"I heard the Messenger of Allah (s) say:
"The son of Adam fills no vessel more displeasing to Allah than his stomach. A few morsels should be enough for him to preserve his strength. If he must fill it, then he should allow a third for his food, a third for his drink and leave a third empty for easy breathing."


4. Keeping Bad Company

Allah's Apostle said:
"The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is I like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof."