Qalb Salim (The Pure Heart)

Qalb Salim (Arabic: قلب سليم) means "the pure heart" or "the sound heart" and refers to a heart that is free from sin, hypocrisy, envy, arrogance, and worldly attachment. The Quran mentions Qalb Salim as the only thing that benefits a person on the Day of Judgment: "The day when neither wealth nor sons will benefit — except the one who comes to Allah with a pure heart (qalb salim)" (Surah Al-Shu'ara 26:88-89).

In Shia tradition, Qalb Salim is the ultimate goal of all worship, including prayer. The purpose of prayer is not merely to fulfill a duty, but to purify and transform the heart. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: "The heart is a vessel — the best heart is the one most filled with good" (Nahj al-Balagha). And: "Purify your hearts from grudges, for they are the dwellings of Allah."

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: "Qalb Salim is the heart that meets Allah without anyone sharing the place with Allah in it" (Al-Kafi, vol. 2). This means that the pure heart is completely devoted to Allah — it is free from shirk (polytheism) in any form, including the subtle form where one worships one's ego, wealth, or status.

In the context of prayer, Qalb Salim is connected with khushu (humility), ikhlas (sincerity), and hudur al-qalb (the heart's presence). Prayer offered with a pure heart is fundamentally different from one prayed as mere routine. Islamic scholars have said: "The secret of prayer is to reach Qalb Salim — a heart completely turned toward Allah." For the believer, Qalb Salim is a lifelong endeavor, and prayer is the daily tool to reach this goal.