بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The Arabic term for heart is قلب (Qalb), which means to change. When we study tajweed, we learn that when we change the sound of one letter into another letter it is called اقلاب (Iqlab). Qalb is something which changes, which is not a constant.
If there is one word which could describe the heart, it would be “change”. How many times have we experienced our feelings, our emotions and our inclinations change. Our desires, our wishes, our passions, everything is in a continuous roller coaster of change.
And Imaan which originates in the qalb, changes like everything else.
One day we may experience a spiritual bliss in our tahajjud, we may cry while reciting Quran and yet on other days we may have to drag ourselves to offer a fardh salaah. We may have to force ourselves to open the Quran.
But its ok. The creator of our hearts, the one who made it the way it is, knows it and He understands our struggles better than we do.
Alif, Lam, Meem. This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah – Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them, And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. Those are upon [right] guidance from their Lord, and it is those who are the successful.
al-Baqarah : 1-5
When Allah talks about the those who believe, Allah chooses a verb, and a present tense verb at that, to describe it. Yuminoon as opposed to muminoon. The present tense (or imperfect verb as it is called in Arabic) implies a meaning of continuity, a deed which hasn’t finished yet. An Imaan which is still a work in progress. Which is not perfect yet.
So the people of Imaan are not only those who hear Quran with rapt attention, those who have to force themselves to open it are also people of Imaan, as far as they open it. And the person who has to exert him/herself to keep their mind from wandering in salaah is as much beloved to Allah as a person who has perfect khushu, as far as they are trying hard.
So rejoice in the mercy of our Rabb and strive harder. And ask the the Turner of the hearts to make our heart firm on His deen.
سبحانك اللهم و بحمدك نشهد ان لااله الّا انت نستغفرك و نتوب اليك