What is the cure for one whose heart is attached to other than Allah?

If the attachment is infatuation, then its cure is readily available. However, if the attachment is generally to other than Allah, then it is the greatest corruptor of the heart. For if the heart becomes attached to other than Allah, Allah entrusts it to that which it became attached to, and humiliates it from the direction of that to which it became attached, and it misses out on achieving its purpose from Allah due to its attachment to other than Him.

Attachment to other than Allah is considered a great affliction, as Allah punishes everyone who loves something for other than Him. The proof of this is that those who suffer the most severe torment are the people of infatuation.

As for the cure for attachment to other than Allah, it lies in several matters: 1. Sincere supplication: Asking Allah to turn your heart to Him alone. 2. Taking the means to love Allah: For the creature is weak; it possesses neither benefit nor harm for itself, and it cannot avail you anything against Allah. 3. Preserving the five daily prayers: Neglecting them is a cause for falling into sins, and prayer forbids indecency and evil. And increasing in supererogatory prayers helps in diverting the heart from attachment. 4. Contemplating the insignificance of that to which one is attached: For the person to whom one is attached is weak, possesses neither benefit nor harm for himself, and cannot avail himself anything against Allah. 5. Frequent attendance at gatherings of remembrance (Dhikr) and admonition: Visiting graves, and seeking out the gatherings of the righteous. 6. Fleeing from temptation: And avoiding sitting with those who stir up temptation in the heart.