Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What is the best way to give life to the heart if its light has been extinguished?
There are many means to do this. Among them is to increase in knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah, to perform acts of obedience untainted by the ego and caprice, not having expectations from people and having presence with Allah and remaining in a constant state of remembrance.
Imam al-Haddad says that we should prepare ourselves for the divine out-pouring through spiritual struggle which cuts off the roots of desire, while maintaining unceasing directedness towards Allah in the outward forms of worship. This is expressed in your consistency and keenness in reading your adhkar and praying your prayers and reciting the Qur’an with presence of heart.
Another important foundation in bringing the heart to life is having a strong attachment to Allah’s Messenger ﷺ, who Allāh chose to be our Prophet and who was sent to teach us and purify us and take us to Him. We must nurture our longing to meet him and accompany him and we must bestow abundant prayers upon him.
May Allah bring your heart and ours to life and the hearts of all of those connected to us and all the believing men and women seeking this goodness. May Allah give life to our hearts by the sanctity of the one who was sent to give life to the hearts. You said to us: Answer the call of Allah and His Messenger when He calls you to that which gives you life (8:24).