What does, God intervenes between a person and his heart mean? The Question I had a question about the 24th verse in the 8th chapter, “God intervenes between a person and his heart.” Is this supposed to be understood positively, negatively, or both? I’m thinking Allah could come between a person and his heart to send him astray if He wanted, or come between a person and his sick heart to guide him if He wanted. Is that a valid interpretation? The Answer This verse is one of the scariest in the Qur’ān. The gist is that the hearts are completely under Allah’s command. Thus, no one could reach faith, grasp the reality of life or truly submit to him without his permission. Imām al-Tabari mentioned six possible means for this verse. He concludes the discussion by saying, “The correct opinion is the first one: Allah (The Most High) informs us that he controls the hearts of his servant and that he intervenes between them and their hearts as he wills to the extent a person will not comprehend faith or disbelief, or encompass or understand anything save with his permission.” Imām Ibn kathīr wrote quoting al-Sadī, “He comes intervenes between a person and his heart. Thus, a person cannot believe or disbelieve without his permission.” Then, he mentions a number of the Prophet’s traditions to support this understanding: “There is no heart, save it is between the fingers of the Most Merciful, the Lord of all; if he wills to rectify it, it will be upright, and if he will to lead it astray, it will be lost.” Our Prophet (God bless him with infinite goodness) used constantly to say, “Allah! Turner of the hearts, turn (and reinforce) my heart on your religion.” And he (Allah’s security and blessings be upon him) said, “Then, ask our Lord not to deviate our hearts after he guided them, and we ask him to gift us with mercy from himself. He is the bestower of bounties.” Scholars noted that this verse and these hadīth should motivate us to do good and not delay repentance because doing good is a sign of God’s grace and mercy upon a person’s heart. It should create a sense of trust in Allah and protect a person from feeling proud of his obedience to Allah to the point that he forgets Allah is the one who guided his heart, also. Your assumption that both interpretations are possible is correct, based on the statement of our Prophet (God show him with infinite blessings) that Allah (The Most High) said, “I am to my servant as he thinks I am.” We ask Allah (The Most High) to protect our hearts and protect us from trusting our souls over him. Suhaib Webb Founder and Instructor, Ella Collins Institute Resident Scholar, Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 07:41:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015