IslamCrunch Forgiveness in Islam: The Healing Power of Mercy

Hajj is a demonstration of love for Allah. The flavour of love which permeates the acts of Hajj distinguishes it from other Ibaadat. Thus those who posses love for Allah is deficient, it will be strengthened by their engagement in the acts of love which belong to the Ibaadat of Hajj. Love for Allah established in the heart will solidify one’s Deen. The presence of love for Allah in the heart establishes one’s Deen on a firm basis. Hajj is specially efficacious for strengthening one’s Deen.

Hadhrat Aishah (radiallahu anha) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“Making Tawaaf of Baitullah, to walk between Safa and Marwah and to pelt stones (at the Jimaar) have been ordained for establishing the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala.”
(Abu Dawood)

An observer might wonder at the wisdom underlying the circumambulation, the running and the pelting, but the Muslim should not be concerned about the wisdoms beneath these acts. Render these acts believing them to be the commands of Allah Ta’ala and that His Remembrance will be grounded in the heart by observing these acts. The relationship of the Believer with Allah Ta’ala is strengthened and his love is tested. Without understanding the wisdom of these acts, the Muslim in love with Allah, executes them because of the Command of Allah Ta’ala. All Commands of Allah Ta’ala carried out because of His love.

The acts of Hajj are permeated with love. Love overwhelms intelligence regarding the acts of Hajj. Idhtiba (baring the shoulder) and Raml (walking with shoulders swaying in soldier-like fashion) acts done in Hajj were initiated in the beginning as a display of physical strength when there was yet kuffaar domination over Makkah. However, these practices were retained even after Allah Ta’ala destroyed the power of the kuffaar and established Islam over Makkah.

Source: Hayatul muslimeen

“The best of deeds are those carried out regularly even if they are little deeds. ” – Hadith

Never underestimate the reward of punctuality upon a small deed that is very easy to fulfill or achieve. Regularity or punctuality upon little deeds, is much more rewarding than huge deeds that are not fulfilled except haphazardly. Do not be from those who have a tendency to start off something really good, but give up after a while.

Be strong and keep going.

May the Almighty strengthen our resolve to be regular in fulfilling our good deeds even if they are little. Aameen.

Mufti Ismail Menk

When one Muslim meets another he should confront him with a smile and cheerful countenance and physically express his delight in meeting him. This will entail a fortification of love and affection between them. If you confront a grieved person with a cheerful countenance, you might just allay his grief or at least pacify him. A person feels unrestrained in expressing himself if he is confronted cheerfully thereby aiding him in fulfilling his needs.

Hadhrat Abu Dhar (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“Don’t ever belittle any of your good deeds even though this may be meeting your brother with a cheerful countenance.” [Muslim]

The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“When two Muslims meets and clasp each others hands, their sins are shed as a tree sheds it’s leaves.”

Together with a buoyant confrontation, clasping each others hands is also mustahab (preferable) as this increases mutual love and affection.

Hadhrat Qatadah (رضى الله تعالى عنه) relates that he enquired of Hadhrat Anas (رضى الله تعالى عنه) if the companions of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) grasped each others hands whilst meeting. Hadhrat Anas (رضى الله تعالى عنه) replied: “Yes of course!” [Fathul Baari]

Hadhrat Baraa (رضى الله تعالى عنه) narrates that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“When two Muslims meet one another and clasp each others hands, they are forgiven even before they separate from one another.” [Abu Daud]

Source: The 40 Pathways to Jannah by Sheikh Khalid Sayyid Ali

Fasting is a shield [Bukhari]

Fasting is a shield for a person which protects them from Shaytan, Allah’s punishment and Jahannam. However, one needs to make sure the shield is not damaged in any way. Otherwise it will not be effective in doing its job. The actions that damage this shield and render it useless are sins like Backbiting, Lying, Evil Glance, Swearing, Nonsensical Conversation, Arguments, Slander, Haram Sustenance, and every other evil.

Besides the compulsory fasting in the month of Ramadan, one should try to fast during those days for which Rasoolullah (صلي الله عليه و سلم) has mentioned many rewards, for example:

Source: Riyadul Jannah Issue 2 Vol 13

“Love your friend moderately lest he becomes your enemy one day, and hate your enemy moderately lest he becomes your friend one day!” Tirmidhi

When we get extremely close to people and lower our guard by letting them know every detail of our life, trusting them with everything, a day can come when we regret because they can hold us ransom with what they know about us if the friendship is broken f…or some reason.

At times we cannot correct people because we have allowed them to get so close to us that they would use against us some of what they know of us.

Similarly when we dislike someone, we should never oppress them or do something unbecoming of a true believer as a day may come when a strong friendship is developed between us and we are embarrassed by past actions.

Amazing piece of advice which is worth pondering over and making good use of in our lives. An enemy can become a very great friend or relative and a friend can become a fierce enemy.

“The Almighty is all able to create between you and your enemies a strong bond of friendship for indeed Allah is All Able, Allah is Most Forgiving Most Merciful” S60 V7

Mufti Ismail Menk

Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:

“There is such an hour on Friday that if any Muslim makes dua in it, his dua will definitely be accepted. ”
[Bukhari, Muslim]

The ulama have differed in specifying that hour which has been mentioned in the Hadith. Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlawi rahmatullahialayh has mentioned 40 different opinions in his book Sharh Sifrus Sa’aadah. However, from among all these opinions he has given preference to two opinions:
(1) That time is from the commencement of the khutbah till the end of the salaat,
(2) That time is towards the end of the day.

A big group of ulama have given preference to this second opinion and there are many Ahadith which support this opinion. Shaykh Dehlawi rahmatullahialayh says that this narration is correct that Hadrat Fatimah radiallahuanha used to order her maid on Fridays to inform her when the day is about to end so that she could occupy herself in making zikr and duas. (Ash’atulLama’aat)

1.It is related by Abdullah Ibne Amr radhiyallahu anhu that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “The best of you are those who possess the best of manners.”
Bukhaari and Muslim

2.Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu related to us that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “Muslims who possess better morals are the most perfect in Faith”.
Abu Dawood and Daarami

3.It is related by Abu Dardaa radhiyallahu anhu, that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “On the Day of Reckoning, the most weighty item in the Scales of Deeds will be good manners”.
Abu Dawood and Tirmizi

Commentary
It would not be correct to assume from the above Traditions that good morals were even superior to faith or the principal tenets like Imaan, Salaat, Sawm(fasting), Zakaat and Hajj. The Holy Companions to whom these sayings were directly addressed had already learnt from the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam that among the various branches of Islaam, the most important were Imaan (faith) and the doctrine of Divine Unity, and, then, came the fundamental duties. As for the rest of the departments of religious life, some of them take procedence over others in various ways, and the place of moral virtues, undoubtedly, is very high, and in the attainment of success and salvation in After-life and the gaining of the countenance of the Lord, their significance is beyond question.

4.Aaishah radhiyallahu anha relates that she heard the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam say: “A Believer with good manners and a good moral disposition gets the same reward as he who fasts (permanently) and spends his nights inprayer”.
Abu Dawood

Commentary
It shows that a person who is a true Muslim, both in Belief and Action, and, also, possesses good manners, but does not engage himself much in nafl (supererogatory) fasts and prayers attains the same degree of excellence, through moral goodness, as the one who, generally, stands up in prayer throughout the night and fasts all day long.

riyaduljannah.com

In a hadeeth reported by Imam Bukhari, Rasūl Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

والله إنِّي لأَسْتَغْفِرُ الله وأَتُوبُ إِلَيْه في

اليَوْمِ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً

By Allah I seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to him more than seventy times in a day
[Tirmidhi]
A person cannot progress on the path of tazkiyah (spiritual purification) without sincere tawbah (repentance). Tawbah is to return to one’s original pure state. The Ulama (scholars) of tazkiyah say that a person should be repentant every moment of the day. Repentance is not only verbal, but more importantly, repentance should be in one’s state of heart and mind.

The proof of tawbah and it’s main component is remorse and one can never be remorseful without remembering one’s sins. A person’s character should be dripping with remorse and this inspires others to forgive. The true state of tawbah reveals itself in a person’s speech, gait and appearance.

Source: Content Soul

It is related by Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu: “[Once] the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said to us: ‘Who is there to learn these few things from me, and, then, to act upon them and to tell them also to others who will act ?’ I replied, ‘O Apostle of Allah! I am present.’ The Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasallam thereupon, held my hand [in affection] and said, ‘Refrain from the acts Allah has forbidden and refrain from them strictly. If you will do so, you are a very great worshipper [and this worship is better than the abundance of supererogatory (nafl) prayers]. Secondly, remain satisfied with what Allah has fore-ordained for you. If you do so, you will attain contentment and become very rich. Thirdly, be kind and gentle in your behaviour towards the neighbours. If you will do so, you are a perfect believer. Fourthly, desire for yourself what you desire for others. If you do so, you will become a true Muslim. Fifthly, do not laugh much for too much laughter kills the heart.”
Musnad-i-Ahmed, Tirmidhi

Commentary
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam wanted to tell the five above mentioned things. In order to attract the attention of the listeners, he first said, “I want to tell a few special things. Who among you will like to learn them? But he will have to pay back their claim by acting upon them himself, and, also, relating them to others so that they, too, may profit.”
It shows that there are two claims on anyone who acquires the knowledge of faith, he should act according to it and, also, pass it on to others. Even if he does not carry out into practice fully what he learns, he must not refrain from imparting it to others.

The five things the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has taught in this Tradition are of fundamental importance.

(i) He is most devout bondsman and a great worshipper who abstains from what is unlawful though he may not be offering up a great deal of supererogatory (nafl) prayers and observing much of supererogatory fasts.

(ii) One derives immense satisfaction and peace of mind from being content with what Allah has decreed for him.

(iii) Good and noble behaviour towards the neighbour is a prerequisite ofperfection in Faith.

(iv) A true Muslim must always wish well of others to the extent of desiring for them what he desires for himself.

(v) One should not laugh much because excessive laughter deprives the heart of feeling and makes it insensitive.

Riayduljannah.com

Sahl Ibne Sa’ad narrated that once a person (who, perhaps, came from the class of the rich and the distinguished) passed in front of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam. On seeing him the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam asked one of those who were sitting with him at that time what he thought of him. He replied, “Sir, he is one of the most respectable men, such is his eminence that if he makes an offer of marriage to the daughter of any family, it will be accepted and she will be married to him, and if he makes a recommendation in any matter, it will be granted.” At this reply, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam kept quiet and did not say anything.

After some time, another bondsman of the Lord passed by and the Prophetsallallahu alayhi wasallam asked the same person again, “What do you think of him?” He replied, “O Apostle of Allah! He is one of the weak and indigent Muslims. He is such a man that if he makes an offer of marriage anywhere, it will be rejected and if he makes a recommendation in any matter, it will be turned down and if he wants to say anything, it will not be heard.”

The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, thereupon, said, “If people like the one who passed by earlier (are so numerous as to) fill the earth, this weak and poor bondsman is still better than (all of) them.”(Bukhari, Muslim)

Commentary 
Generally, material prosperity and worldly eminence are considered to be the criterion of greatness and people are impressed by them while those who are not rich and influential are looked upon as lowly, however good and noble they may be from the moral and spiritual point of view. The above saying is aimed at removing the folly.

It is quite possible that the person who was sitting with the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, and with whom he was talking to at that time, was also a victim of it and the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam had spoken to him like that for his correction.

Commentators have opined and the words of the Tradition also show that both the persons who passed by were Muslims, but with the difference that the first one to go past was superior in wealth and position and the second inferior financially and in social rank.

It was because of this that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam remarked that if the likes of the first mentioned were so numerous that the earth was filled with them, the poor and the needy bondsman who passed by later would by himself be better and nobler than all of them.

It is related by Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu anhu that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “Many among those whose hair are dishevelled and bodies covered with dust and who are pushed away from the door (due to their apparent wretchedness) occupy such a lofty place in the sight of the Lord, that if they vow in the name of Allah: Allah will surely fulfil their vow.”(Muslim)

Commentary
It shows that no one should be scorned at or rejected as inferior because of his unkempt and untidy condition. Some of them attain a position of such nearness and preference with the Lord, by effacing themselves for His sake, that if, relying upon Him they swear about a thing that it will or will not be that way, Allah does not put them to shame and makes it happen accordingly.

It is worth remembering that the object of the above Tradition is not to encourage squalor and untidiness, as some people imagine. From the Prophet’ssallallahu alayhi wasallam sayings and other biographical accounts it is clear that he, generally liked to be neat and clean and advised others also not to be dirty and ill-clad. When he saw anyone going to the extreme of self-denial and wearing dirty and tattered clothes and caring nothing for their appearance, he reproved them sternly. This Tradition is intended merely to give a warning advice to those who regard the poor and destitute bondsmen of the Lord as despicable and do not want to mix with them due to self-conceit.

It is related by Abdullah Ibne Amr radhiyallahu anhu that the Apostle of Allahsallallahu alayhi wasallam said:”Four things and habits are such that if you possess them then there is no harm if the world [and its blessings]are lost or do not come to [your] hand. [These are] :

(1) safe-keeping of trust;

(2) truthfulness in speech;

(3) good manners; and

(4) caution and abstinence in food.”

Musnad-i-Ahmad and Bayhaqi

Commentary
The word ‘trust’ is used in a very wide sense in the terminology of Islaam. It includes the fulfilment of the rights of Allah and of men as well as the carrying out of covenants and promises. Thus, a person who is trustworthy, i.e., who fulfils the rights of Allah as well as of men honestly and is truthful when he speaks and possess good manners and noble qualities of mind and character and exercises self-restraint in food and drink and does not over eat or partake of things that are forbidden or of a doubtful nature is, positively a very fine specimen of humanity. He is not only a perfect man in this world but in the never-ending life of the hereafter, too. Such exceptional favours will be conferred upon him that each one of them will be more valuable than all the blessings of the world put together. If a man like him remains poor in the earthly existence, he should not grieve for what he has is far superior to all that the world has to offer.

Abu Bakrah radhiyallahu anhu narrates that someone said to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam, “O Apostle of Allah! Who is better among men (i.e., what kind of a man will be successful in the Hereafter)?” The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, “He who lived long and did good deeds.” The same person then asked, “Who is bad to a greater degree among men (i.e., what kind of man will be a loser in the Hereafter)?” The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, “He who lived long and did evil deeds.”
(Musnad-i-Ahmad)

Commentary
The longer a person who leads a virtuous life lives, the more will he develop to a higher religious state. In a similar way, the bondsman whose deeds are such as to make him removed from Allah will go incurring His displeasure as he continues to live.

Ubayd Ibne Khalid radhiyallahu anhu narrates that once the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam established “brotherly relationship” between two persons (i.e., declared them to be brothers according to the custom of the age). It so happened, soon afterwards, that one of them got killed in jehad and the other, too, died within a week of it. The Companions offered the funeral prayers at the latter’s death. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam then asked the Companions who had performed the burial service, “What did you say in the funeral salaat (i.e., what prayer did you make for the sake of your dead brother)?” The Companions replied, “We prayed that Allah may forgive his sins and have mercy on him and make him join his brother (so that they may live together in Heaven as they did in the world)”. On hearing this, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam remarked, “And where did the prayers go which he offered after the prayers of the martyred brother?” (i.e., after the chain of his prayers had been terminated due to falling a martyr in jehad). “And where did the good deeds go that he performed after the good deeds of the martyred brother?” [Or, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said something to the effect that where did the fasts go that he kept after the fasts of his martyred brother? (The narrator is not sure whether the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam mentioned, 'good deeds' after 'prayers' or 'fasts')]. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam then said, “The difference between the stations of the two is even greater than that between the heavens and the earth.”
(Abu Dawud and Nasa’i)

Commentary
The Companions considered the brother who had died later to be of a lower rank than the one who had attained martyrdom in jehad, and that was why they prayed that Allah might join him with the martyred brother in Heaven. But the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam told them that it was just the opposite of it and the brother who had died a natural death had gained a much more elevated position owing to the prayers he had offered, the fasts he had kept and the other good deeds he had performed after the martyrdom of his brother.

To lay down one’s life in the path of Allah is, doubtlessly, an act of a very high order, but the advance and improvement affected through salaat, fasting and other virtuous deeds, provided that these are endured with earnestness, is also unlimited.

Besides, since the brother who died later was also a soldier of Allah, ever-willing to sacrifice his life in His path, he too had, because of the purity of his intention and eagerness for martyrdom, attained the state of martyrdom though he had died in his bed, and the acts of worship and other good deeds he had performed after the death of his martyred brother had produced such an elevation in his ranks that the sacred Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam described the difference between their stations in the Hereafter to be even greater than between the earth and the sky.

Asma’a reported that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w said: “Spend and don’t count lest Allah counts for you, and don’t hoard up lest Allah withhold from you. Spend what you can.

Bukhari & Muslim

Commentary:

If you keep strict account of your charity, Allah will also keep strict account of His gifts and wealth on you. This principle applies everywhere. Suppose a rich father gave his son some coins of silver and then asked back for one of them. He did not return it fearing that it would fall short of purchasing sweets. His father laughed and said: “How foolish is the boy! He does not understand where the money comes from.” Had he returned it to him, he would have given him more, because a father, is pleased with his son, he gives more.

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w said: “The Almighty Allah says: O son of Adam! Spend, you will then be spent for.”

Bukhari & Muslim

Commentary:

You will be given wealth and rewards from the treasures of Allah, in case you give away in charity, because a cistern when vacated is usually filled up and that which remains filled up without consumption is not at all filled up. The Qur’an says: “And whatever thing you spend, it will be given in exchange.”

Abu Omamah reported that the Messenger of Allah s.a.w said: “O son of Adam! That you spend wealth is good for you and that you withhold it is bad for you, and you should not be backbitten for miserliness. Begin with those who are in you family.”

Muslim

Commentary:

First of all, every man should provide the necessities to his family members and then there is the question of charity in case of surplus. In such a case, a gift to family members will bring greater rewards than a gift to strangers.

Principle Tenets of Islam

It is related by Abdullah bin Omar that the Apostle of God said:

“Islam is built upon five things: the testimony that there is no deity but Allah and Muhammad (PBUH) is his bondman and apostle; and the observance of prayer, and the paying of the poor-due, and the pilgrimage to Mecca, and the fast of Ramadhan.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Commentary:

In the above tradition the Prophet has compared Islam to a building that is built upon pillars and said that the structure of Islam is raised upon the five fundamental tenets it is, therefore, inconceivable for a Muslim to be negligent in the observance of these principles which, in fact are the foundational pillars of Islam.

It should, however be remembered that duties in Islam are not confined only by the five basic principles but extended to other matters as well, such as the sanctioning of what is rights and prohibiting of that is wrong, and Jihad in the path of Allah. Since the importance that they enjoy is not equalled by any other tenet they have been elevated to the status of fundamental doctrines ad this is identical to what been pointed out in the commentary of the proceeding tradition.

The five points are to Islam that body is to soul. Moreover they exemplify the principal aspects of worship that are an end in themselves and whose obligator-ness is not lasting only for a limited time of related to a particular situation. These are binding and compulsory at all times and in all conditions as against Jihad and the sanctioning of what is allowed and the forbidding of what in prohibited which are an obligatory duty only on certain occasions and in certain circumstances.

Shaykh Manzoor Nu‘maani

It is related by Abu Hurayrah radhiyallahu anhu that the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said: “Whoever seeks to obtain wealth by legitimate means (and) with the object that he may not have to beg from others and can provide his dependants with the necessities and pleasant conditions of life, as well as lend a helping hand to neighbours, will appear before Allah on the Day of Judgment, in such glory that his face will be radiant like a full moon. And whoever seeks, though by legitimate means, to obtain wealth with the object that he may become very rich and can give himself airs before others and be able to practice liberality in order to win the admiration of men will appear before Allah in such a state that He will be severely displeased with him.”
(Bayhaqi)

Commentary
It shows that the earnings of wealth by lawful means and for a worthy purpose is not only permissible but a virtue of such a high order that there will be a special favour of the Lord on him on the Day of Judgment due to which his face will shine like the full moon. But if the aim and purpose of obtaining wealth may only be to become rich and important and to make an ostentatious display of one’s prosperity, even if it is earned fairly and honestly, it will be so sinful that Allah will be very angry with such a bondsman on the Day of Requital. Ill-gotten wealth, in any case, is a curse of the highest degree.

It is related by Abu Kabshah el-Anmari radhiyallahu anhu that he heard the Apostle of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam say: “There are three things for which I can swear and, in addition to them, there is another thing which I want to tell you. So, remember it. The three things for which I can swear are:

(i) No one will become poor by spending in the way of Allah (i.e., Allah will bestow prosperity on him and multiply his wealth);

(ii) Injustice will not be done to a bondsman Ð an injustice on which he remains patient, Allah will raise him in esteem in return for it (i.e., when a wrong is perpetrated on a person and he bears it patiently, Allah will cause an increase in his high rank and good reputation); and

(iii) No one will open the door of begging but Allah will open the door of poverty for him (i.e., whoever will make it his habit to extend a begging hand towards others will be condemned to want and indigence by Allah).

The thing that I want to tell you and which you should remember, apart from these, is that this world is for four types of men (i.e., four types of men are found here).

(i) The bondsmen whom Allah has granted wealth as well as the knowledge of the correct way of life; they fear Allah in the expenditure and utilisation of their goods and show kindness to relatives by means of them and spend them in the way it ought to be done for the good pleasure of the Lord. These persons are of the highest grade.

(ii) The bondsmen whom Allah has endowed with correct knowledge (and the right spirit) but has not given them wealth; their intention is sound and they (honestly) feel and say that if they come into wealth, they too will spend and utilise it as such-and such a (virtuous) man does. The recompense of both these types of men is equal (i.e., people of the second category will be rewarded in the same way as those of the first due to the purity of their intention).

(iii) The bondsmen whom Allah gave wealth but not the knowledge (and spirit) of using and spending it properly; they spend their goods foolishly and in wrong ways and without the fear of Allah, and do not show kindness to relatives through their worldly possessions nor spend them as they ought to be spent. These are the worst kind of men.

(iv) The bondsmen whom Allah gave neither wealth nor right knowledge (and spirit); they say that if they obtain wealth, they, too, will spend it as such-and-such a (wasteful and self-indulgent) man does. Such is their intention and the sin of both these types of men is equal (i.e., the fault of the people of the last category will be identical, due to their evil intention, to that of the people belonging to the third category owing to their misdeeds).
(Tirmidhi)

Commentary
The meaning of the above Tradition have been explained in the course of the translation. It is, however, necessary to bear in mind that the intention of evil conduct which has been condemned here as equivalent to the evil conduct itself belongs to the class of resolve and determination, i.e., the bondsman may be eager and bent upon committing a sin but cannot do so owing to an incapability or lack of opportunity. When the intention of a person is of that degree, it will amount to the commission of the sin and will be deserving of punishment in the same way as the transgression upon which his heart is set.