Qalbun Salim Is a Forerunner to Jannah

Introduction

The topic of Qalbun Salim is broad and frequently discussed. Many books, lectures, writings and references on this subject can be found in bookstores and across various online platforms.

In the past, I also assumed that building the qalbu through reading alone was sufficient. I thought that when a person reads extensively, listens extensively and accumulates a great deal of knowledge, the heart would naturally be built by itself.

I also used to think that the qalbu would become increasingly illuminated through abundant and consistent dhikr. It was as though dhikr stood on its own, without needing to be proven through good deeds, noble character, obedience, righteousness and changes in one’s life.

However, the reality is different. Building the qalbu cannot be achieved through the pursuit of knowledge alone. It requires genuine spiritual experience in life. It requires deeds, obedience, righteousness and the long process of a servant journeying towards his Rabb.

The mind is built through knowledge, but the qalbu is built through deeds.

What I write here is merely the result of my study of the Qur’anic verses that directly mention the context of Qalbun Salim, together with my personal reflections based on my own journey of building the qalbu.

If there are shortcomings or inaccuracies in my discussion of Qalbun Salim, accept a better view in its place.

This writing is not intended to close the discussion. It is a sharing of an understanding that I have found through the Qur’an and through spiritual experience in life. Although it is brief, I would like to share it with you.

How to Read This Article

If you wish to understand Qalbun Salim according to the Qur’an, I suggest that you read these verses in the sequence I have arranged.

Read this article little by little. Then alternate it with reading the Qur’an and its translation. Do not read only the article. Do not merely take my conclusion either. Refer back to the Qur’anic verses that are mentioned.

The sequence is as follows:

1. Surah as-Saffat 37:83–84
2. Surah as-Saffat 37:85–98
3. Surah as-Saffat 37:99–100
4. Surah asy-Syu‘ara’ 26:83–89
5. Surah al-Waqi‘ah 56:10–12
6. Surah al-Waqi‘ah 56:25–26
7. Surah Yasin 36:58

Through this sequence, we will see a journey. It begins with the story of Prophet Ibrahim, moves towards prayer and righteousness, reaches the rank of those who are foremost in goodness and the atmosphere of salam in Jannah, then ends with salam from the Most Merciful Rabb.

Prophet Ibrahim and the Beginning of Qalbun Salim

The first verses that need to be read are Surah as-Saffat 37:83–84.

وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ لَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٨٣

And indeed, among those who upheld the teaching brought by Prophet Nuh was Prophet Ibrahim.

إِذْ جَآءَ رَبَّهُۥ بِقَلْبٍۢ سَلِيمٍ ٨٤

When he obeyed the command of his Rabb with a safe heart.

Surah as-Saffat 37:83–84

In the Qur’an, Prophet Ibrahim is among the prophets whose spiritual journey with the Rabb is most extensively recorded. From a young age, he was raised in an environment where his people disbelieved in Allah. He lived among a society that worshipped others besides Allah, while his soul searched for truth and safety that came from the Rabb.

It was this spiritual journey that shaped Prophet Ibrahim into one who possessed Qalbun Salim. Because he already possessed Qalbun Salim, he was then given the strength to face the greater trials that followed.

Qalbun Salim is not a heart that merely knows how to speak about religion. It is not a heart that is merely skilled at arranging proof after proof. It is not a heart that merely collects information after information. Qalbun Salim is a heart that is truly safe with the Rabb.

Prophet Ibrahim understood that safety belonged absolutely to the Rabb. It did not belong to human beings, to his people, to those in power or, certainly, to the blazing fire. Safety belongs to none of Allah’s creatures.

Qalbun Salim Produces the Courage for Da‘wah

Let us then read Surah as-Saffat 37:85–98.

إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ ٨٥

When he said to his father and his people: “What do you worship?”

أَئِفْكًا ءَالِهَةًۭ دُونَ ٱللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ ٨٦

“Do you worship gods other than Allah because you merely distort the truth, rather than because it is true?”

فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ ٨٧

“So what do you think of Allah, the Rabb of all worlds?”

فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةًۭ فِى ٱلنُّجُومِ ٨٨

Then he cast a glance at the stars scattered across the sky,

فَقَالَ إِنِّى سَقِيمٌۭ ٨٩

and said: “Indeed, I feel ill and cannot join the festival.”

فَتَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ مُدْبِرِينَ ٩٠

After hearing these words, they turned away from him.

فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ ءَالِهَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ ٩١

Then he went secretly to their idols and asked them mockingly: “Why do you not eat?”

مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنطِقُونَ ٩٢

“Why do you not answer?”

فَرَاغَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ ٩٣

Then he struck the idols with his right hand, smashing them into pieces.

فَأَقْبَلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يَزِفُّونَ ٩٤

After his people learned of this, they came rushing towards him in a crowd.

قَالَ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ ٩٥

In reply to their argument, he said: “Do you worship what you carve?”

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ٩٦

“While Allah created you and what you make!”

قَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ لَهُۥ بُنْيَـٰنًۭا فَأَلْقُوهُ فِى ٱلْجَحِيمِ ٩٧

When they could no longer argue, their leaders said: “Build a structure for Ibrahim, then throw him into the blazing fire.”

فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًۭا فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ ٩٨

Thus, they sought to carry out a harmful plot against him by burning Prophet Ibrahim, but We made them the lowest, meaning those who failed in their objective.

Surah as-Saffat 37:85–98

In the verses above, we can see how Prophet Ibrahim had the courage to carry out da‘wah. He began with his family and then addressed his people.

This is important for us to understand. Prophet Ibrahim’s courage did not arise from emotion alone. It arose from a qalbu that was already safe. A heart that has submitted to Allah no longer fears human beings excessively. A heart that has entrusted its safety to the Rabb no longer treats human threats as the highest measure.

The climax of Prophet Ibrahim’s trial came when his people threw him into the fire. Yet even in this world, Allah had already demonstrated that Prophet Ibrahim could be saved from the fire. How difficult, then, could it be for Allah to grant safety and happiness in the Hereafter?

Here we begin to see that Qalbun Salim is not merely a condition of the heart. It produces action. It shapes courage. It drives da‘wah. It creates the willingness to stand upon the truth even when an entire community opposes a person.

Righteousness as the Key to Qalbun Salim

Next, let us read Surah as-Saffat 37:99–100.

وَقَالَ إِنِّى ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ ٩٩

And Prophet Ibrahim said: “I am going to my Rabb. He will guide me to the right path.”

رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ١٠٠

“My Rabb, grant me a child from among the righteous.”

Surah as-Saffat 37:99–100

What is required if we wish to attain a state like that of Prophet Ibrahim? We must look at his prayer.

In this verse, Prophet Ibrahim prayed to be granted a righteous child. This is very important. He did not merely ask for offspring. He did not merely ask for descendants. He asked for righteousness. This is the key. Righteousness is the path to attaining Qalbun Salim.

Observe the flow of the preceding verses. First, Prophet Ibrahim called people towards obedience to Allah. He called upon human beings to become believers. Then he prayed to Allah to be granted righteous offspring.

The path is therefore clear. Faith leads to obedience. Obedience leads to righteousness. Righteousness builds the qalbu. A qalbu built through deeds moves towards safety with the Rabb.

This is the path towards maqam mahmuda. Obedience and righteousness are prerequisites for an honoured station. A servant must remain in obedience and righteousness until he is summoned by his Rabb.

Prophet Ibrahim’s Prayer Encompasses This World and the Hereafter

Qalbun Salim is very important to our journey towards the next realm. After understanding the Surah as-Saffat above, let us then read Surah asy-Syu‘ara’ 26:83–89.

رَبِّ هَبْ لِى حُكْمًۭا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ ٨٣

“My Rabb, grant me religious knowledge and join me with the righteous;

وَٱجْعَل لِّى لِسَانَ صِدْقٍۢ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ ٨٤

“And grant me a good name among those who come later;

وَٱجْعَلْنِى مِن وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ٨٥

“And make me one of those who inherit Jannatun Na‘im;

وَٱغْفِرْ لِأَبِىٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٨٦

“And forgive my father, for he was among those who went astray;

وَلَا تُخْزِنِى يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ ٨٧

“And do not disgrace me on the Day when all creatures are raised again,

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌۭ وَلَا بَنُونَ ٨٨

“the Day when neither wealth nor children will be of any avail,

إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى ٱللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍۢ سَلِيمٍۢ ٨٩

“except for those who come before Allah with Qalbun Salim.”

Surah asy-Syu‘ara’ 26:83–89

In verse 83, Prophet Ibrahim prayed to be granted wisdom and to be included among the righteous. This is a prayer for life in this world. We ask for knowledge, understanding and closeness to the righteous so that we can learn from them, follow their example and move alongside them.

Then, in verse 84, Prophet Ibrahim prayed to be granted a good name among later generations. This is a prayer for the future after we are gone. After we leave this world, our children still remember us. Righteous people who benefited from our knowledge also continue to remember us.

Wealth is no longer useful after death, except for what Allah turns into a continuing deed. The prayers of righteous people, especially righteous children, are extremely valuable. This is why Prophet Ibrahim prayed to be granted righteous children.

To this day, we still remember Prophet Ibrahim. His name continues to be honoured in our prayers. That was his prayer. It is also the sequence that Allah teaches us through the record preserved in the Qur’an.

In verse 85, Prophet Ibrahim prayed to be included among the inheritors of Jannatun Na‘im. This is a prayer for the Hereafter. He did not think only of this world. He asked for a final home filled with blessings in the presence of Allah.

In verse 86, Prophet Ibrahim also asked Allah for the safety and well-being of his father.

Here we see the completeness of Prophet Ibrahim’s prayer. His prayer encompassed himself, the generations after him and the generation before him. It covered both this world and the Hereafter.

He sought Qalbun Salim.

A clean heart.
A sound heart.
A safe heart.

From Qalbun Salim in This World to As-Sabiqun in the Hereafter

After observing the sequence above, let us read Surah al-Waqi‘ah 56:10–12.

Here we read about As-Sabiqun, the foremost group, the front ranks or those who lead in the Hereafter.

وَٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّـٰبِقُونَ ١٠

And the third group consists of those who were foremost in doing good in this world, who will be foremost in attaining the best reward in the Hereafter;

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ ١١

They are those who are brought near to the Rabb,

فِى جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ١٢

residing in the Gardens of Jannatun Na‘im, filled with blessings.

Surah al-Waqi‘ah 56:10–12

Allah makes it clear that those who truly lead in faith, taqwa, obedience and righteousness are As-Sabiqun.

What is their reward?

Allah states clearly that they are al-Muqarrabun, those who are closest to the Rabb. In Malay, this is easy to remember through the words karib or akrab. This closeness refers to the relationship with the Rabb in this world.

Eventually, they are placed in Jannatun Na‘im, the gardens of Jannah filled with delight.

This is the continuation of the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim mentioned earlier. He prayed for righteous offspring. He connected that prayer to the request for Jannatun Na‘im.

Now we can see the connection. The prayer of a prophet does not stop at asking for righteous children or an honoured name. Its final path leads towards the rank of As-Sabiqun in Jannatun Na‘im.

Anyone who aspires to attain Qalbun Salim cannot merely become a follower. He cannot merely remain at the back. He must want to be at the front in every form of goodness. He must become a pioneer, a leader and one who is first to turn to Allah with complete sincerity. This is the characteristic of As-Sabiqun. It is a sign that his qalbu is beginning to become safe.

The Words in Jannah Are Salam

Next, let us read Surah al-Waqi‘ah 56:25–26.

In these verses, Allah describes their state in Jannah. Allah describes the words that come from the mouths of those who already possess Qalbun Salim.

لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا ٢٥

They will hear no laghw in it, nor anything that causes sin;

إِلَّا قِيلًا سَلَـٰمًا سَلَـٰمًا ٢٦

They will hear only the words: “Salam! Salam!” from one another.

Surah al-Waqi‘ah 56:25–26

In Jannah, there is no longer any lagha. There is no futile speech. There is no sinful speech. There are only greetings of salam.

Their words are pure. They are filled with prayers for safety and well-being. They are filled with tranquillity.

Why is that so?

Why do they say, “Salam! Salam!” to one another?

Because in this world they had succeeded in subduing the qalbu. They had succeeded in taming the nafs. They had succeeded in controlling the tongue. They had succeeded in saving the heart from riya’, hasad, resentment, ujub and arrogance.

The mazmumah qualities were restrained. The mahmudah qualities were elevated.

When the qalbu becomes safe, the result is that they become foremost in Jannah because they had striven to be foremost in this world. They are the first group to arrive. They go ahead while other groups first stop at Hell. The language of Jannah becomes their greeting of salam to one another.

The utterance “Salaman Salama” is not merely words. It is a reflection of a heart that has truly become salim.

This world is where we tame the qalbu. The Hereafter is where that tamed qalbu is elevated to the highest maqam.

The Culmination of Qalbun Salim Is Salam from the Rabb

Finally, read Surah Yasin 36:58.

سَلَـٰمٌ قَوْلًا مِّن رَّبٍّ رَّحِيمٍ ٥٨

They will also receive a greeting of Salam from the Most Merciful Rabb.

Imagine that in Jannah, the Rabb Himself gives salam to His servants.

That salam does not come from the angels. It does not come from fellow inhabitants of Jannah. It does not come from human beings praising one another.

It is salam from the Most Merciful Rabb.

This is the culmination of the journey of Qalbun Salim.

In this world, he prays. In this world, he struggles against his desires. In this world, he controls his tongue. In this world, he purifies his heart. In this world, he takes the lead in goodness.

Then, in the Hereafter, Allah honours him with a direct greeting of salam from Him.

Conclusion

Here we see a beautiful sequence for understanding Qalbun Salim.

We need to draw a lesson from the story of Prophet Ibrahim because it records a servant’s journey of encountering his Rabb in this world until he meets his Rabb in the Hereafter. It is also a record of the building of Qalbun Salim.

Prophet Ibrahim began with prayers for himself, the generations after him and the generation before him. His prayers encompassed this world and the Hereafter.

His prayer to the Rabb culminated in Qalbun Salim, a heart that is clean, sound and safe in both this world and the Hereafter.

Allah connects this journey to the maqam of As-Sabiqun, the group foremost in journeying towards Allah. They are al-Muqarrabun, those who are close to their Rabb.

Allah describes their language in Jannah as salam alone because their hearts are safe. They are joyful, tranquil and at peace. Allah Himself gives salam to them.

What other blessing could anyone deny?

This is the journey of Qalbun Salim.

From the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim, through the barzakh, towards Jannah, until receiving salam from the Most Merciful Rabb.

Let us therefore begin building the qalbu through deeds. Not merely through words. Not merely through knowledge that stops in the mind. Not merely through reading that produces no change.

Build the qalbu through obedience. Build the qalbu through righteousness. Build the qalbu through deeds.

May we be included among al-Muqarrabun and, one day, receive the greeting of salam from the Most Merciful Rabb.