Some people, when they have some sins and are then advised, point to their hearts and say: This is the most important thing. So how do we respond to this type of people?

The questioner : A questioner says: May Allah guide us and them. Some people, when they have some sins and advice is offered to them, point to their hearts and say: This is the most important thing. So how do we respond to this type of people?

The Shaykh : This is what some people do when advice is offered to them: they say, "Taqwa is here." This is a true statement, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: But the one who said "Taqwa is here" is the one who said: Accordingly, the corruption of the outward appearance indicates the corruption of the inner self. We say to the one who said "Taqwa is here": If there were Taqwa here, then what we see of the outward actions would be Taqwa, for if the heart fears Allah, the limbs must necessarily fear Allah, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: By this, we refute his argument, and we say: If you were truthful that your heart is in a state of Taqwa, the limbs would not be disobedient. Yes.