Malmö, Sweden – Dr. Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, delivered a spiritually enriching and insightful lecture during the Laylat-ul-Barah program in Malmö, Sweden. The event, attended by a large gathering, served as a powerful reminder of the heart’s pivotal role in spiritual purification and its deep connection with Allah.

Dr. Hassan Qadri’s discourse focused on the significance of the heart in Islam, drawing extensively from the Qur’an, Hadith, and the lives of the Awliya Allah (friends of Allah). He emphasized that a purified heart becomes a vessel of divine mercy and guidance, radiating spiritual light. Citing Surah al-Baqarah (2:74), “Then (even) after this, your hearts hardened. So (in hardness) they (have become) like stones or even harder,” he reflected on how Allah sanctifies certain places and objects—such as Ghar Thawr, Ashab al-Kahf, and Mount Tur—through their association with divine revelations and the Prophets. He drew a profound analogy, stating that if stones can be transformed by Allah’s will, then a believer’s heart, when filled with love for Allah and His Prophet ﷺ, attains unparalleled sanctity.

Expounding on the famous Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, “There is one piece of flesh in the body; if it is sound, the entire body becomes sound. And if it is corrupted, the entire body becomes corrupted. Verily, it is the heart,” Dr. Hassan Qadri explained the 25 stages of the heart. He urged attendees to strive for Qalb-e-Saleem (a pure and defect-free heart), likening the heart to a lothra (piece of flesh) that, just like the body, requires healing from spiritual diseases.

He beautifully described the Awliya Allah as spiritual “stents” who expand the heart’s capacity by purifying it from ailments such as arrogance, greed, and excessive attachment to the material world. He further likened I’tikaf (spiritual retreat) to an ICU for the heart, where one receives divine healing under the guidance of spiritual mentors. Offering practical advice for spiritual elevation, he encouraged attendees to surround themselves with righteous individuals, cultivate generosity, and seek wisdom from the Awliya Allah, whose hearts are filled with divine light.

Dr. Hassan Qadri shared the inspiring story of Sultan al-Awliya Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA), who removed the love of both dunya (this world) and akhirah (the hereafter) from his heart, seeking only the pleasure of Allah—an act that granted him the highest proximity to the Divine. He also narrated the transformation of Ibn Qudama, a prince whose life changed upon hearing the Qur’anic verse:

“Indeed, the righteous will be in bliss” (Al-Mutaffifin, 83:22).

This, he highlighted, demonstrates the power of the Qur’an in awakening hearts and redirecting lives toward righteousness.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Hassan Qadri urged attendees to reflect on the state of their hearts, remove worldly distractions, and focus solely on Allah’s love and approval. He emphasized the need to eliminate doubts and concerns such as “Why, When, and How,” which create despair, impatience, and hesitation—barriers to spiritual growth. The evening concluded with heartfelt duas, leaving the audience deeply inspired to embark on a journey of self-purification and divine connection.

Dr. Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri’s lecture was a profound reminder of the transformative power of a purified heart in strengthening one’s relationship with Allah. The Laylat-ul-Barah gathering became a beautiful testament to Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, motivating attendees to make lasting changes in their spiritual lives.