Powerful Detergents by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (rahmatullah alayh) There are many laboratories in the world

working and specializing in detergents. Each one trying to produce the best detergent, which would be the easiest in re moving stains. Each company makes a claim that their detergents are the best, giving you a powe r-cleaning wash and removing the toughest stains. In the spiritual world, we find that the spiritual heart is such a sensitive ent ity that is easily stained. Some stains are easy to remove; others are very diff icult to do away with.

Thus, the spiritual heart also requires detergents for the heart to remain whiter than white, brighter than bright orsuper bright as we read in different advertiseme ts. Those stains of the spiritual heart (i.e. ones minor sins) which are easy to remo ve are washed away with the water of Wudhu (ablution), with Salaah and with many different Ibaadaat, which the Ahadith have informed us have the effect of remov ing the stains of sins. The Prophet (Sallallaahu alayhi wa-Sallam) said : Whoever performed Wudhu and perf ormed it well (i.e. according to the prescribed rules), all his sins will go out , even from under his nails. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wa-Sallam) said : Each of the five Salaahs expiates the sins committed since the Salaah preceding it. The Ulama mention that Ahadith of this nature refer to minor sins. Major sins req uire sincere Taubah. Major sins leave tough stains which require a hard wash with a very strong deterge nt. The power detergents, which have the effect of removing the big and unsightl y blotches and splotches of major sins on the spiritual heart are sincere taubah and Istighfaar, and if one wants a bright white spiritual heart, then the bleach of Zikrullah should be used just as we use bleach to whiten garments. Of course, its effect upon our hearts is dependent on our sincerity, together with abstine nce from all sins and obedience to Allah Taala and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wa-Sallam). If the stains of major sins are not removed, then the heart not only becomes pit ch black, it becomes hard and at this stage the persons Imaan is on dangerous gro und. Allah Taala mentions in the Qur aan Sharief :

No! But that which they used to commit has covered their hearts with rust [Surah Muttaffifeen 83 : 14] The rust that accumulates with indulgence in sins covers the heart and deprives the person of the ability to distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong, Haq (Truth) and Baatil (Falsehood). Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wa-Sallam) explained : When a Mumin (believer) sins, a black dot appears on his heart. If he repents and seeks Allahs forgiveness, hi s heart becomes cleansed and polished. If he continues to commit more and more s ins (without repenting), the spot continues to spread and ultimately covers all

of his heart.