The Safeguarding Of The Heart

(Excerpted from Futuwat namah by Khwaja Husayn Wa’iz Kashifi Sabzawari An Naqshbandi Translated by M. Nur Abdussalam)

If asked: In what manner is the safeguarding of the heart? Say: It is to avoid transgressions of the heart. Their origin is envy, conceit, hypocrisy, negligence, pride, parsimoniousness, greed, and suchlike things.

It is also to keep the mirror of the heart bright with polish of the continual remembrance of God. It is to clean this oratory of straw and sweepings with broom of purification so as to be able to gave upon His manifestations in their true beauty. Verse:

So long as the chamber of the heart is not swept with the broom of purity.
Its looking glass will not be the place of the manifestation of the Lord of souls.