Most Islamic scholars agree that Pride is the biggest sin after Shirk (associating partnership with Allah). Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said, "If a person has even an atom's weight equivalent of pride, he will not enter Paradise."
Envy is a very serious factor that affects our hearts. Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said, "Strictly avoid envy because envy consumes good deeds as fire consumes dry wood."
This is one habit most people knowingly or unknowingly fall into. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "Do you know what backbiting is?" The companions said, "Allah and His Messenger know best." He (S) said: "Backbiting is talking about your brother in his absence and about what he hates." One of the companions said, "Messenger of Allah, if there is really that shortcoming in my brother what do I say?" The Prophet (SAW) replied, "If what you say is true even then you backbite him and if no such thing exists in him then you brought a false accusation against him." (Muslim)
Slander and Backbiting is caused because of our jealousy towards others. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said: "Slandering one's parents is a major sin." The companions asked, 'O Messenger of Allah! Could a person slander his own parents?' He (SAW) answered, "Yes, if he slanders another person's father, the latter would in retaliation slander his father; if he slanders another person's mother, the latter would in turn slander his mother." (Bukhari and Muslim)
"O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it ... But fear Allah: for Allah is Oft-Returning Most Merciful." (Quran 49:12)
On this same topic of suspicion, the Holy Prophet (SAW) said: "Avoid suspicion, for suspicion is the greatest lie. Do not be inquisitive about one another, or spy on one another. Do not outbid one another with a view to raising the price. Do not feel jealous and do not hold grudges against one another. Do not backbite, but be the servants of Allah like brothers amongst yourselves." (Bukhari and Muslim)
Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said, "If there was one valley of gold for the son of Adam, he would long for another one. A man will never be satisfied, only death will stop him from being greedy. Allah returns to him who repents." (Muslim)
The Holy Prophet (SAW) also said, "Richness does not lie in the abundance of worldly goods but richness is the richness of the soul (heart, self)." (Muslim)
Anger is perhaps one of the biggest factors that affect our hearts. We should learn to control our anger and follow the example of our Holy Prophet (SAW). He (SAW) said: "Powerful is not he who knocks the other down. Indeed powerful is he who controls himself in a fit of anger." (Bukhari and Muslim)
These are some of the negative factors that affect our healthy heart. We need to analyze ourselves regarding these factors and Insha Allah, try to remove these bad deeds completely in our lives. May Allah always guide us to the straight path and give us a good, healthy life in this world and in the hereafter. Ameen.
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