How to soften a hardened heart
“Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala cares about your heart and about your action.”
The khutbah argues that hardness of the heart is a dangerous spiritual punishment, diagnosed by indifference to sin and worship, and healed through repentance, remembrance of Allah and death, Quran, and compassionate service.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Defines hardness of the heart and contrasts it with believers whose hearts tremble at Allah’s remembrance.
- Uses Quranic examples to warn that hearts can harden despite miracles, reminders, and revelation.
- Identifies symptoms: lack of guilt after sin, joyless worship, failure to benefit from reminders, and indifference to forbidden acts.
- Explains how sin and heedlessness darken the heart, while repentance and remembrance polish and soften it.
- Prescribes frequent dhikr, Quran, private remembrance with tears, remembering death, and visiting graveyards.
- Concludes by urging care for orphans, widows, and people in need, followed by supplication and prayer.
In the khateeb's words
“Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala cares about your heart and about your action.”
“But what is worse than committing a sin, Bilqayyim Rahimahullah says, that you don't feel guilty after the sin.”
“It's mechanics. It's a routine. It's a physical activities and rituals. But it's empty of spirit.”
“take care of them spend time with them be in their service and that inshallah will give you the softness of the heart”
For the dinner table
The khutbah teaches that a believer’s heart should soften when Allah is remembered. A hardened heart may show itself through feeling no guilt after sin, finding worship empty, ignoring reminders, or treating forbidden actions lightly. Repentance, Quran, frequent remembrance, private tears, and remembering death can help restore the heart. The speaker also encourages caring for orphans, widows, and people in need as a practical path toward compassion. We should ask Allah for hearts that are alive, humble, and tender.
- What helps you feel that prayer or Quran is more than just a routine?
- How can remembering death change one choice you make this week?
- Who around us might need our time, care, or service?
More on Repentance & taqwa
First, practice humility by accepting correction.28:46Worcester Islamic Center · Worcester, MA · Oct 31, 2026Arrogance hardens the heart against guidance
2:40Islamic Association of · Flower Mound, TX · Oct 24, 2026Repentance begins a life of self-discipline“Whilst you are alive, whilst you are reading, whilst you are even sitting in the masjid now, you can do Tawba with Allah.”
I want to be quick to apologize.29:24Lighthouse · Temescal · North Oakland, CA · Oct 17, 2026Move steadily in life, rush to forgiveness