Could you provide the exact translation and reference for the Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) explained that hearts rust like iron rusts. When asked: “How can they be polished?” He (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied, “Reciting Allah’s book and remembering Him much.”
Answer:
There are several Hadiths that discuss the polish for the heart.
1. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu’anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
Indeed the hearts rust just as iron does. The Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) asked: “What is its polish?”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) replied: “Abundant remembrance of death and recitation of the Quran”
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 1859 & Musnad Shihab, Hadith: 1179)
The dhikr (remembrance) of Allah being a polish for the heart has been mentioned in another hadith:
2. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
Everything has a cleaner, and the cleaner of the hearts is the remembrance of Allah…
(Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 519, also see Targhib, vol.2 pg.396 and Al-Mudawi, vol.2 pg.527)
This has also been recorded as the statement of Sayyiduna Abu Darda (radiyallahu’anhu) (Shu’abul Iman, Hadith: 520)
3. Another hadith mentions Istighfar (seeking repentance) has the polish of the heart.
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3334 & Al-Mu’jamus Saghir, see Sharhul Ihya, vol.4 pg.465)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar