◈ Extract from the Book: Extract from the Book: How to Perform Ruqyah on Yourself (Protection & Treatment from Evil Eye, Magic, and Possession) by Shakhbūt bin Ṣāliḥ bin ʿAbd al-Hādī al-Marrī
✦ Treatment for Tightness of the Chest (Spiritual Constriction)
The most concise and comprehensive cure for the constriction of the heart (sīnah kī tangī) is as follows:
① Tawḥīd (Pure Monotheism)
The stronger and more complete a person’s Tawḥīd becomes, the more his chest opens and expands. Allah the Exalted says:
Arabic:
أَفَمَنْ شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ
[الزمر: 22]
Translation:
“Is the one whose chest Allah has opened for Islam, so he is upon a light from his Lord (like the one whose heart is hard)?”
And Allah the Exalted says:
Arabic:
فَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ وَمَنْ يُرِدْ أَنْ يُضِلَّهُ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي السَّمَاءِ
[الأنعام: 125]
Translation:
“So whomever Allah intends to guide, He opens his chest for Islam; and whomever He intends to misguide, He makes his chest tight and constricted, as though he were ascending into the sky.”
Thus, guidance and Tawḥīd are among the greatest causes of an open and expanded chest, whereas shirk and misguidance are among the greatest causes of constriction and distress of the heart.
② The Light of True Faith
This is the light that Allah places in the heart of His servant. By means of this light, the chest opens, the heart expands, and joy enters the soul.
③ The Inherited Knowledge of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
This is, in reality, the beneficial knowledge. People of knowledge possess the greatest expansion of the chest; their hearts are the most spacious, their character the finest, and their lives the purest.
④ Turning Towards Allah
This includes heartfelt love of Allah, directing one’s focus to Him, and tasting the sweetness of His worship.
⑤ Constant Remembrance of Allah in Every Place and Every Situation
Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) has a remarkable effect on expanding the chest. It brings spiritual blessings to the heart and removes grief and sorrow in astonishing ways.
⑥ Showing Kindness to Creation
To the fullest extent possible—through one’s wealth, efforts, physical assistance, status, or influence—showing all kinds of goodness to creation.
Indeed, the one who is kind and benevolent is among those with the most expanded chest, the purest soul, and the cleanest heart.
⑦ Bravery
A brave person is naturally broad-chested in spirit; his thoughts and concerns are wide, and his heart is expansive.
⑧ Removing Blameworthy Traits from the Heart
These are qualities that cause constriction and torment within the heart, such as:
① envy, ② hatred, ③ malice, ④ enmity, ⑤ miserliness, and ⑥ hostility.
⑨ Avoiding the Causes of Inner Distress
Such causes include:
— indulging in prohibited looking,
— indulging in prohibited speech,
— listening to harmful things,
— excessive socializing,
— as well as excessive eating, drinking, and sleeping.
The abundance of these matters leads to pain, sorrow, and anxiety settling in the heart.
