Hardening of the Heart: 6 Habits That Can Lead to it

The heart is the spiritual core of a believer. In Islam, a hardened heart means being spiritually disconnected from Allah ﷻ, making it difficult to feel remorse, reflect on the Quran, or engage in acts of worship sincerely. But what causes this spiritual numbness? Below are six common habits that lead to the Hardening of the Heart—along with practical ways to soften it and restore your connection with Allah.

1. Neglecting the Quran 📖

The Quran is the ultimate source of guidance and light, but ignoring it can darken the heart. When we fail to recite, reflect on, or implement its teachings, our hearts become distant from Allah.

💡 How to Soften the Heart:

• Recite the Quran daily, even if it’s just a few verses.
• Listen to tafsir (explanations) to understand the deeper meanings.
• Memorize short surahs and apply their lessons in your life.

“Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Quran 13:28)

2. Persisting in Sin Without Seeking Forgiveness 🚫

When a person sins repeatedly without repentance, their heart becomes desensitized to guilt. The Prophet ﷺ warned:

“When a servant commits a sin, a black dot appears on his heart. If he repents, his heart is polished. But if he repeats the sin, the black dot increases…” (Ibn Majah)

💡 How to Soften the Heart:

• Make istighfar (seeking forgiveness) daily – even 100 times a day, as the Prophet ﷺ did.
• Perform sincere tawbah (repentance) with the intention of not repeating the sin.

3. Being Addicted to Entertainment & Distractions 🎮📱

Excessive social media scrolling, TV shows, and games consume time and weaken spiritual connection and lead to the hardening of the heart. When the heart is constantly entertained, it loses its ability to reflect on the hereafter.

💡 How to Soften the Heart:

• Set limits on screen time and increase time spent in worship.
• Replace passive entertainment with beneficial Islamic content.
• Engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) while commuting or doing daily tasks.

4. Ignoring Salah or Praying Without Focus 🕌

Salah is a direct conversation with Allah, but many people rush through it or pray without khushu’ (concentration). Over time, this neglect can harden the heart.

💡 How to Soften the Heart:

• Make dua before salah, asking Allah for khushu’.
• Learn the meanings of Surah Al-Fatiha and other supplications to engage deeply.
• Pray on time and in a quiet, undistracted space.

“Successful indeed are the believers – those who humble themselves in their prayers.” (Quran 23:1-2)

5. Keeping Bad Company & Gossiping 🗣️

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“A person follows the religion of his close friend, so each of you should be careful whom he befriends.” (Abu Dawood)

Spending time with people who constantly backbite, gossip, or engage in sinful activities affects the purity of the heart.

💡 How to Soften the Heart:

• Surround yourself with righteous, positive companions.
• Avoid gatherings where gossip and negative talk are common.
• Replace idle talk with meaningful discussions about faith.

6. Neglecting Dhikr & Dua 🤲

Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) nourishes the heart, but when neglected, it leads to spiritual dryness.

💡 How to Soften the Heart:

• Recite “Astaghfirullah” (I seek forgiveness from Allah) 100 times daily.
• Say “La ilaha illa Allah” frequently for a soft heart.
• Make dua sincerely, asking Allah to cleanse and soften your heart.

“So remember Me; I will remember you.” (Quran 2:152)

Final Thoughts: The Journey to a Soft Heart

The hardening of the heart doesn’t happen overnight—it develops through consistent neglect. However, by recognizing and addressing these harmful habits, we can purify our hearts and strengthen our connection with Allah.

Start today by choosing one habit to change and commit to a heart-softening practice, like reciting the Quran daily or increasing your dhikr. May Allah bless us all with soft, receptive hearts. Ameen!

📌 Key Takeaways:

✅ Avoid neglecting the Quran, delaying salah, and keeping bad company.
💚 Increase istighfar, dhikr, and dua to cleanse the heart.
✅ Small, consistent actions lead to a spiritually alive heart.

What heart-softening habit will you start today? Share in the comments below! 👇