﷽

People hardly talk about how it actually feels to go through heart purification, so let me enlighten you.

1. “Where’d this come from?”

It’s Triggering.

Tazkiyah requires deep self-evaluation, which brings the things you’ve pushed to the back of your mind to the forefront and brings the things you’ve pushed deep down up to the surface.

Think of it as your soul trying to rid itself of toxins.

2. “Is it nap time?”

It’s Exhausting.

Especially in the beginning—and even more so if you’re still around a triggering environment or person you can’t leave yet—you have to be continuously mindful of how you respond to those circumstances, trying to remember the solutions from the Quran to guide you when triggered.

Emotional regulation is draining, and it’s harder to manage your emotions when you’re tired.

You’ll learn rather quickly that sleep isn’t the cure for mental exhaustion.

3. “I’m not crying, you are!”

Your Heart Expands.

Allah ‎_{سبحانه وتعالى} softens and expands your heart, making you more empathetic and loving. You think about the rights of others and develop forbearance for where people are in their journey to Allah _ﷻ.

If you were once an avoidant type of person you will be in shock by how much you actually feel now that you’re no longer avoiding the use of your heart.

4. “You can do better. Try again.”

Healthy Self-Criticism.

You become self-critical, but in a healthy way. There’s no harsh inner voice; instead, you’re quick to repent and reflect so you can reduce the chances of repeating the mistake.

You understand the concept of good shame and develop a positive relationship with self-dissatisfaction, which increases your taqwa.

5. “What do I need to do?”

Fix-It Mentality.

When tested, you waste little time on regret or self-pity. You know that you’re not being punished; you’re being corrected. That mentality helps you focus on what Allah ‎_{سبحانه وتعالى} wants you to learn so you can course-correct to remain on the Straight Path.

6. “No really, you can have it.”

Generosity Over Attachment.

You’re quick to give and are not attached to material things, nor do you seek reciprocation or acknowledgment. This mindset replaces people-pleasing tendencies because your focus is on pleasing Allah ‎_{سبحانه وتعالى}.

You’re very grateful for your blessings and no longer desire what others have or what society tells you you’re supposed to have. Your hopes and expectations are in Allah ‎_{سبحانه وتعالى} and all that He Promises.

7. “I’ve got somewhere to be.”

Serious About Life’s Purpose.

You approach this life with seriousness but without taking it personally. Knowing the true nature and purpose of the dunya helps you bring everything into perspective. Jannah becomes your constant focus so you can prioritize your time and energy wisely, making it easier to turn away from distractions.

8. “How can I improve?”

Optimizing your deen.

Tazkiyah isn’t a one-time task you check off and move on from—it’s a lifelong process of continuous refinement. You won’t always remain in the state of nafs al-mutma’inna; at times, you’ll find yourself struggling with nafs al-lawwama. Instead of a rollercoaster with sharp turns and steep drops, tazkiyah is more like a seesaw, with your spiritual state rising and falling based on how well you monitor and tend to your heart and its desires.

9. “All I Had to Do Was Ask?”

Accepted Duas

Tazkiyah is the process of aligning your heart’s desires with what pleases Allah ‎_{سبحانه وتعالى}. As a result, you’ll often find that your duas are answered. Your heart no longer craves what is harmful, so when you ask for what is good or best for you, why wouldn’t Allah ‎_{سبحانه وتعالى} grant it? The response might come in unexpected ways and at unexpected times, but you’ll realize that you received exactly what you asked for, exactly when you needed it.

Ready to Start?

Don’t just read about the effects of Tazkiyah—experience them for yourself with the Heart Recovery Workbook Course. But first, read last week’s post to ensure you’re recognizing the signs of readiness.

Tazkiyah does require a specific mentality before beginning. If you find that you’re not ready, don’t worry. In sha Allah, the next post will give you practical tips on how to prepare to start purifying your heart.

As-salamu alaikum, until next time, in sha Allah.

Khalisa