Assignment from PUR 101: Training the Tongue, Purifying the Heart with Anse Dr. Marah Dahman
Response:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
Alhamdulillah for the rizq to finally signing up for Anse Marah’s class.
What stood out for me for this week’s class:
1. Anse’s explanation on purification and realisation with the analogy of a tree:
The process of purification is like planting a tree which requires attention and tendering. I connect with the relevance of how tazkiyah or purification is—which involves growth. In order for my tree to grow, I need to pay close attention to tending to it, making sure it’s getting the right nutrients, and also the process of weeding, i.e. cleaning the heart from anything that would taint it. As we purify, that also comes with realising the state of our heart—specifically with reference to Surah Ibrahim, verses 24-25. I reflected on the importance of being firm in the core and root of Islam as part of the process of purification.
I am working in the field of psychology and mental health and recently I took a course in Islamic Psychology. I learned a lot on how the state of our heart reflects the state of our haal, in which this brought me to Ribaat and Rabata because I realised the importance of Islamic studies and its connection with my life and work (professionally). One of my teachers said, “To help your clients you need to consistently purify yourself.” That statement struck me so hard, because I thought I’m okay—when in fact, yes, I do need a constant purification so I can show up better, not just at work, but in life in general. Being a student of Ribaat has been a blessing as I am in this journey towards purification and being a better servant of Allah.
2. The connection of tazkiyah and our purpose in life (51:56):
Anse’s sharing reassures and validates my feelings that I am here as a student to learn and work on myself—a constant work in progress. At times, I do get swayed by what’s happening in my environment and reminders of why I am here and what’s my purpose, really help to ground and anchor me. I am feeling hopeful to learn more and practice the teachings for this class, and this will be a mean for me to submit to Allah, to be in total submission as I learn to navigate through the diseases of the heart, bi idhnillah.
Prepared by Anonymous, Ribaat Student