Imaam Ibnul Qayyim
[rahimahullaah] said:
A slave is not
afflicted with a punishment greater than the hardness of the heart and being
distanced from Allaah. The fire of (hell) was created to soften the hardened
hearts. The farthest hearts from Allaah are the hardened hearts. When the heart
is hardened, the eyes become lacking in (discernment, perception, crying out of
fear of Allaah etc.). The hardness of the heart occurs due to four [affairs]
when their limit is exceeded: Food, sleep, speech, mixing [with the people].
And just as the diseased body is not benefited by admonitions when it is
afflicted with [evil] desires. Whoever desires purification of his heart then
let give him precedence to Allaah over his desires. The heart that is attached
to desires is veiled from Allaah depending on the strength of its attachment to
[such desires].
[Source: Al-Fawaa-id,
page: 153-154). Slightly paraphrased]
Written by The Salafi
Centre of Manchester
