By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Health is the goal of all living things, including humans. Nevertheless, not everyone has the time to learn how to be healthy. Although humans are physical and spiritual beings with a mind and a heart, they frequently pay more attention to their bodily health than their spiritual health (heart).
When the human body is ill, it is treated as rapidly as possible, regardless of the cost. When the body is healthy, a number of attempts are made to appear “beautiful” with glittering accessories. Yet, humans frequently lack, neglecting their spiritual well-being. So, the appearance of bodily health is not necessarily indicative of spiritual health. There is rarely enough time to provide nutritious “vitamin” intake to keep the heart healthy, to administer “spiritual medicine” to the heart when it is afflicted with disease, or even to adorn the heart with accessories that can exhibit noble virtues (attitude).
Even while some care about and attempt to satisfy their spiritual wants, they are unwilling to spend as much as they do on their bodily demands. When afflicted with a disease, humans frequently plan to treat the heart. They are solely interested in the least expensive option, including free. In fact, the body resembles a robot. While the spirit is analogous to the robot’s “engine and batteries.” Regrettably, considerable money is spent on beautifying and polishing the robot’s exterior. At the same time, the battery utilised is limited to use batteries that have been soaked and purchased at a low cost from the garbage. This is how humanity treats itself. So, it is natural to be physically healthy yet spiritually tormented by several acute ailments with severe repercussions. Evidently, humans are incapable of doing their bodies and spirits justice. If this is how it appears to oneself, how can it be fair to others? Obviously, he has been unjust spiritually; it is simple and common to be unjust outside the self (others and nature).
When spiritual health is neglected, resulting in “heart damage,” the order of civilisation will encounter difficulties. If humans are able to maintain their physical and spiritual health, they will be able to promote justice in the world (others).
Take the time to evaluate your heart’s health (spiritually). If it turns out to be unhealthy, seek treatment as soon as possible. Do not act as though you are salt in the ocean. Thus, despite its abundance, it cannot make the swimming fish feel salty from the ocean’s salty water. Be a seasoned salt. Even a small amount can make the entire pot taste excellent and be appreciated by everybody.
Firstly, the hardening of the heart, feeling better (worthy or pious) than others, so that it does not want to be advised but likes to advise others or does not want to be criticised but only likes to criticise. The hardness of the heart that is “allergic” to the advice of others will lead to a feeling of self-righteousness (noble), likes to be adored and glorified, and considers any advice (criticism) as an opponent that must be “eliminated” because it is considered to endanger its existence.
Humans will have spiritual (soul) problems when they neglect a “medical check-up” of their heart (spiritual) in favour of their physical health. These illnesses can manifest in numerous ways, including:
Secondly, the hardening of the heart, characterised by a sense of superiority (virtue or piety) over others, such that it does not want to be advised but enjoys advising others or does not want to be criticised but enjoys criticising others. The hardness of the heart that is “allergic” to the advice of others will result in a sense of self-righteousness (noble), a desire to be worshipped and praised, and a view of any advice (criticism) as an adversary that must be “eliminated” because it poses a threat to its very life.
For the owner of a good heart, praise does not cause him to forget himself, and criticism is utilised as herbal medicine that he must always be grateful for to remain healthy. Praise belongs exclusively to Allah, and he views criticism as a means to improve himself in the hopes of receiving divine guidance.
The heart that feels the most righteous comes in second. This situation leads to a disposition of denying (or even rejecting) the truth of the opposing person, especially when viewed as an adversary. Feeling the most righteous yet never acting accordingly. Always searching for other people’s mistakes in order to conceal their own. This type of person views himself to be the only source of truth (including colleagues). In fact, “chronic illness”-afflicted hearts view the truth of God’s word as truth that must be criticised because it is no longer relevant and must be updated with interpretations that suit their interests. Such an arrogant disposition when the heart is obstructed and infected by chronic heart disease. In the meantime, a healthy soul will always protect the heart from various diseases, accept the goodness of friends, and assist adversaries in recognising their errors without disclosing disgrace or spreading slander.
Third, an inflated sense of self-importance and self-righteousness. Although doing the right thing is essential, one should avoid being the most moral. Similarly, performing honourable deeds is essential, but being the most honourable is not commendable. When the heart is ill, one believes that only it possesses truth and honour. This sickness will cause an inflated sense of self-importance in which anything outside of oneself and one’s group is viewed as wrong and must be removed. This ego will be enhanced if it is encouraged by one’s position of authority or profession. He will position himself as a durian and a cucumber outside of himself or his group. When poked or prodded, the durian is never in any way disturbed or destroyed. Only the “cucumber” will be destroyed and damaged. Even though the “durian’s” flaws are so clear, it is the “cucumber” (even though it contains the truth) that will be destroyed and must be destroyed. In actuality, the durian’s power is not based on the truth it contains but rather on the “thorns” (strength) it possesses, on which it relies and is protected. While the demise of the “cucumber” is not due to a mistake but rather the powerless truth
Fourth, a heart that is too busy exposing the humiliation and bigotry of others to consider its own shame. When the heart is damaged, just the opposite is remembered. Even though 99 of his friends have favoured him, he can only recall one of his adversaries. As it turns out, every act of generosity, regardless of its magnitude, will be forgotten. Only a trace of remorse is ever remembered. This is the loss incurred by individuals with this type of cardiac disease. If 99 acts of kindness are forgotten, the Most Generous Substance, na’uzubillah, will also be forgotten.
Fifthly, believing oneself to be the most knowledgeable or the finest worshipper (diligent) and correct, and hence looking down on the knowledge and worship of others who are deemed incorrect. Although the pursuit of knowledge is obligatory, one should avoid the feeling of being the most learned. Although doing the right thing is essential, one should avoid being the most moral. Power is justifiable, but power’s whispers and seduction require vigilance. Allah cautions individuals not to be conceited about their knowledge for this reason. Allah declares in Surah Al-Isra’: 85, “… and you have been given no more than a little wisdom.”
Similarly, Allah says: “Allah has promised those among you who believe and perform good actions that He would make them rulers on earth, just as He made those who came before them rulers, and that He will establish a religion that He has sanctioned for them. And He will truly remove their dread and replace it with security. They continue to worship Me without identifying Me with anything. Anyone disbelieves after that, however, is the culprit ” (QS. an-Nur: 55).
Such is Allah’s obvious instruction, as is human “resistance” to Allah’s verse through fasiq (violates Islamic law) behaviour caused by spiritual disease.
Sixth, the heart and mind that are closed to the door of truth direct the mouth, hands, and other limbs to be nimble in discovering and exposing the dishonour of others, while ignoring their own wide and high disgrace. Allah reminds us of this in His word: “He does not say a word unless accompanied by an ever-present guardian angel” (QS. Qaaf: 18).
The command of the mouth (and other limbs) is based on body-generated cardiac motions. If the heart is sick, then unfavourable bodily movements will occur. Positive physical movements will emerge if the heart is healthy in His love. It is possible to determine if the heart is healthy or unhealthy based on its outward manifestations. The heart that moves the mouth claims that the wealthiest and most accomplished individuals are destitute in deeds and actions. Indeed, the tongue has a tremendous impact. When the tongue is activated by a healthy heart, all speech will be calming. Nonetheless, if the heart is having issues, talking will be uncomfortable.
Seventh, the tongue is poisonous when criticising, but he is never prepared to receive criticism. Even though it is evident that mistakes have been made while dealing with the “retainer” or the coffers, it is difficult to speak the truth. The tongue, on the other hand, dances deftly to defend errors with soaring praising speech. But, when it comes to the opponent, the acute eyes search for flaws in others beyond the sharp eyes of an eagle hunting prey. Even the words are so moving that they surpass the impact of a thousand thorns.
While assessing the flaws of oneself, coworkers, or opponents, subjectivity persists (with interests). It resembles a creature without eyes and ears. High levels of “greed” blanket everything with ego and interests. Moreover, it is quite simple to criticise human instinct, especially when intended outcomes are not achieved. Yet, once the desire is attained, the tongue is rendered silent and fettered. The only word that appears is “hypocritical flattery,” even though they are aware that the compliments are inappropriate.
Criticising with courtesy and commending with sincerity and decorum is prudent. This is because the truth is accepted when organised and presented with decorum. Therefore, one falls into cultural humility when courtesy is absent. A healthy heart will produce an individual who is more aware of his flaws and less aware of others. On the other side, it will appreciate the merits of others more than its own.
Eighth, being on the lookout for the flaws of others and even attempting to manufacture their failure, is the eighth characteristic. Nonetheless, he never worries about (or even admits) his own faults. In truth, the errors committed are obvious. Even though it is covered by “a leaf of weeds,” the putrescence of his corpse appears to be concealed. As a result, the self feels the most virtuous and holy, despite the fact that, in daily life, it enjoys committing errors and iniquity and is “proud” to break laws that should be upheld. But, due to the “strength and qualities” available to the self, let alone chronic liver disease, it is more impossible to see the positive. Only the flaws of others are so readily apparent. As the Malay saying goes, “the mite across the sea is visible, but the elephant in the eye is never seen.” The accumulation of one’s (or others) errors is invisible. Allah elucidates such human nature in His words: “Allah has sealed their hearts, their ears, and their eyes, and they will be severely punished” (QS. al-Baqarah: 7).
Allah clearly declares in His words concerning people who are deemed to have a heart (spiritual) disease: “…they have eyes but do not see (the evidence of Allah’s strength), and they have ears but do not hear (the signs of Allah’s power) (the verses of Allah). Much more so than livestock, they are errant. Those are the ones with ignorance “(QS. al-A’raf: 179).
Even though Allah’s teachings are unambiguous, those affected by heart disease do not care and even deny their existence. His heart is closed to the truth due to his need for “coffers.” In actuality, the recognised coffers and interests of the world are bits of hellfire that will consume them and those who enjoy them.
Except for the Prophet Muhammad SAW, no human being is perfect. Consequently, do not view yourself as the most flawless or correct individual. Do not view others with the same contrasting viewpoint. Because when Allah lifts the veil from human eyes to reveal the shame of the self, the human face will be shown in accordance with his conduct. Even the self, let alone other humans, may be unable to perceive it at that moment. It is the heart’s responsibility to stay healthy constantly. But, few pay attention. Everyone is preoccupied with monitoring their bodily health, but they overlook monitoring their spiritual health. The body and spirit are like two sides of the same coin. In actuality, the quality of the spirit is the primary driver of the physical body.
Then, as everyone compared their own spiritual health to the religious beliefs’ norm, what did they find? Indeed, it all depends on the candour of each individual during the conducted examinations. Conversely, the figure of self is hesitant to take the test out of fear that it will reveal that his spirit is experiencing chronic agony, possibly at an acute and terrifying stage. I’m clueless… Obviously, for the wronged “cucumber,” he returns all perpetrators of injustice to Allah, the Supreme Court’s owner. Because a person with a healthy heart will recognise that he has no authority to judge his fellow servants. Allah, who will judge and issue His verdict, is solely responsible.
Wa Allahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by : Riska Saputra
Alumni from the English Education Study Program at STAIN Bengkalis.
Master Student at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology in National Central University, Taiwan.
