Three Toxic Traits That Keep Us Far From Allah

"He has succeeded who purifies the soul, and he has failed who corrupts the soul." Qura'an, 91:9-10. Baggage–bad habits, attitudes, feelings, and impure thoughts, is something that we all experience. Negativity in our life weighs down the soul and can make us feel emotionally and spiritually exhausted. There are ways of living that disconnect us from communion with Allah–that make us feel far from him, when we should feel near. We should always try to maintain a pure heart, and a healthy soul. When our soul is weighed down with baggage, it's time to get rid of the dead weight. Here things that we should all be throwing out to the hatch to enlighten our souls, rejuvenate our spirits, and bring us closer to Allah. And Allah said: "A day when there will be no benefit in wealth or children, but only in he who comes to Allah with a pure heart." Qura'an, 26:88-89. Pride Conceit is God’s gift to little men. Pride is a stumbling block that many face. Pride leads us to live a lifestyle of greed, devoid of empathy. As prideful people, we begin to see ourselves as more important than those around us, leading to a lack of empathy. In this season of our lives, it's time to ditch the pride. Here’s what the Holy Qura’an says about pride: Pride leads to evil: “It shall be said: Enter the gates of hell to abide therein; so evil is the abode of the proud” (Quran 39:72). Pride makes us deaf to Allah: “But my call has only made them flee the more: And whenever I have called them that Thou mayest forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears, cover themselves with their garments, and persist and are puffed up with pride”(Quran 71:6-7). To get rid of your pride, start making sacrifices: “Then as for those who believe and do good, He will pay them fully their rewards and give them more out of His grace, and as for those who disdain and are proud, He will chastise them with a painful chastisement” (Quran 4:172-173). Envy Envy is a disease of the soul. When we envy, we take for granted what we have, and we begin to covet the possessions of others. When we feel envy, we invite greed into our hearts. When we allow ourselves to envy, it shows a lack of trust in Allah’s plan for our lives. Wherever we should have, He is sure to provide. Here's what the Qura’an says about envy: Envy was one of the earliest sins ever committed: “Relate to them in truth ˹O Prophet˺ the story of Adam’s two sons—how each offered a sacrifice: Abel’s offering was accepted while Cain’s was not. So Cain threatened, “I will kill you!” His brother replied, “Allah only accepts ˹the offering˺ of the sincerely devout,” Qura’an 5:27. You should have whatever Allah bestows upon you: “And do not crave what Allah has given some of you over others. Men will be rewarded according to their deeds and women ˹equally˺ according to theirs. Rather, ask Allah for His bounties. Surely Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things,” Qura’an 4:32. Allah Indeed Provides: “There is no moving creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by Allah. And He knows where it lives and where it is laid to rest. All is ˹written˺ in a perfect Record,” Qura’an 11:6. Greed Charity, generosity, and a giving spirit are all directly tied to the Muslim faith. By helping others, we help ourselves. Greed is in direct opposition to those principles. Because Allah is generous to us, and has provided to us all that we need, we should repay that generosity onto others in kind. Here’s that the Holy Qura’an says about Greed: Greed leads to misery “Do not be impressed by their money or their children; GOD causes these to be sources of misery for them in this world, and their souls depart as disbelievers,” Qura’an 9:85. The righteous set money aside for the less fortunate: “A portion of their money was set aside for the beggar and the needy,” Qura’an 51:19. Allah multiplies your acts of generosity: “The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And God multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And God is all-Encompassing and Knowing,” Quran 2:261.