What Do We Keep in Our Chest

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

The following is a transcript of discourse given by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

The ending of Surah al-‘Adiyat is quite interesting because Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ العَادیَات

وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ (١٠) إِنَّ رَبَّہُم بِہِمۡ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ۬ لَّخَبِيرُۢ (١١) 

And that which is (locked up) in (human) breasts is made manifest ― that their Lord had been Well-Acquainted with them, (even to) that day? (Surah al-‘Adiyat:10-11) 

When we see the word “breast” mentioned it usually denotes to the human chest and everything inside it, particularly the heart.  As we have mentioned in previous discourses the heart is the seat of the personality and it is from the heart where all our emotions emanates from.  So what Allah (s.w.t.) is Telling us is that on the Day of Accountability everything in ones chest will be revealed; whether it is good or bad.  When we commit any wrong doing it is not wiped out or taken out completely from our book of records.  We know that the Qur’an Says good removes evil but it is not completely erased.  Instead it is covered.  This is why we pray, “Allahumma asturrna bi satrika al-jamil”, “O Allah!  Cover us with a beautiful covering.” 

On the Day of Judgement, Allah (s.w.t.) will Look at these evil deeds and will Ask the person if he did commit them.  In relation to this, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is reported to have said, “Allah will Bring the believer very close and privately ask him, ‘Do you know this sin?  Do you know that sin?’ 

The believers reply will be, ‘Yes, O Lord,’ until he is reminded about all of his sins, and he thinks he will perish. 

Then Allah will Say, ‘I Covered Up your sins during your life, and I will Forgive your sins today’.  Then he will be given his book of good deeds.” 

It is only then will all your evil deeds be completely erased as you cannot go heaven with stains against you.  The higher we ascend the thinner the air becomes and the more constricted the chest will be.  This is possibly why Prophet Moses (a.s.) prayed: 

سُوۡرَةُ طٰه

قَالَ رَبِّ ٱشۡرَحۡ لِى صَدۡرِى (٢٥) 

(Moses) said, “O my Lord!  Expand me my breast;” (Surah ThaHa:25) 

And possibly why before he was taken up in the Mi’raj, Prophet Muhammad’s (s.a.w.) chest was opened and washed.  So too we do not want a constricted heart and in order to safe guard against this we must prepare from now.  Satan does not want this.  This is why it is recorded in Surah an-Naas concerning Satan’s motives: who whispers in the breasts of mankind.  And on that point a noteworthy mention is that some people argue that it is impossible for Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) to be present at more than one place at one at the same time.  If Satan can whisper to the hearts of men at one at the same time; what about the greatest creature that has ever been created?  But that is a different subject. 

We need to take note that all our deeds and all the secrets we hold in our chest will come to light on that Day and no one will want any impurity and evil to come out in front of the Lord and Master.  So start preparing for that great meeting from now.  Work hard to cover the blemishes that are recorded against you.  Remember Satan does not want this and he will try tirelessly to divert our focus away from Allah (s.w.t.).  That is an individual battle.  No one else can ward off Satan from us.  You need to put our faith and trust in Allah (s.w.t.), and let him take care of your affairs. 

We beg Allah (s.w.t.) to Enable us to cover up our wrongs by engaging in good and beneficial deeds and may He Bless us and Reward us so that on the Day of Accountability when our chest is opened up it will be pleasing to Him, insha’Allah.