10 Reasons for the Death of our Hearts

It is said that Abu Ishaq Ibrahim was once passing through a bazaar in Basra when he was asked, "O Abu Ishaq! Verily Allah has declared, 'Ask Me and I will grant you your request. Ask Me, make du'a' and I will give you what you wish.' Why is it that when we ask, He does not grant?' Then Abu Ishaq replied, 'It is because of your heart. Your heart has become dead, and it is due to ten reasons." Then he gave those ten reasons:

1 You have known who is Allah and yet you have not fulfilled your duties to Him.

2 You have read the Qur'an, but you have not practised it.

3 You have proclaimed love of the Messenger of Allah, but you haven't followed his way.

4 You have declared that Shaytan is your enemy, but you have stood with him.

5 You have declared your desire for Paradise, but you have done nothing to achieve it.

6 You have declared your fear of Jahannam, but you have done nothing to escape from it.

7 You have proclaimed that there is no escape from death, yet you don't prepare for it.


8 You have indulged in searching out the faults of others, yet you have not looked at your own faults.

9 You have enjoyed all the blessings and bounties, yet you do not give Him due praise.

10 You have buried your dead, but you have taken no lesson from it.