Some people say when they are advised: "Piety is here," pointing to their heart. Is this action correct?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner says: Some people, when you advise them, say, "Piety is here," pointing to their heart. Is this action correct?

Answer:
This was said by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and he was pious in his deeds, in his heart, and in his actions. The piety of the heart manifests in the limbs and in the actions. However, if the actions become bad and ugly, that is evidence of the corruption of the heart or its weakness. Yes. But if you do whatever you wish of wrongs and say, "Piety is here," interpreting the words of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) other than their intended meaning, that is an error and a lie attributed to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). If the heart were purified and contained piety, the actions, words, and appearances would be sound. Therefore, the corruption of actions is evidence of the corruption of the heart.