A reflection on Surah Ash-Shams 91:9 - the Qur'an's direct promise of success to whoever purifies their own soul.
Preparing for Ramadan begins with a concept the Qur'an names directly: tazkiyah, the purification of the heart. At Darus Saulieghien Quraan Academy, we try to introduce this idea to our students early, since it underlies almost everything else we hope Ramadan will achieve in them.
A Promise of Success
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّىٰهَا ٩
"He has succeeded who purifies it [the soul]." (Surah Ash-Shams 91:9)
Allah (SWT) states this as a certainty, not a possibility. Whoever works to purify their soul, correcting sins, softening the heart, refining their character, has succeeded, regardless of outward circumstance. Success here is measured by the state of the heart, not by what the world can see.
Tazkiyah as a Daily Practice
Purification is not a single event but an ongoing effort: checking one's intentions, correcting a bad habit, forgiving a grievance, returning to Allah (SWT) after a slip. Ramadan intensifies this work, but the habit itself can, and should, begin before the month arrives.
We encourage our students to pick one small area of tazkiyah to focus on now, so that by the time Ramadan begins, the heart is already in motion rather than starting from stillness.
May Allah (SWT) purify our hearts and the hearts of our students, and make us among those who have truly succeeded. Ameen.