Intermediate
States of the Heart
Surah: Al-Maarij (19)
Man Was Created Anxious — When Evil Touches Him Despairing When Good Touches Him Withholding
إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعٗا
— المعارج الآية 19
Verse: "Man was created anxious — when evil touches him, he is despairing, and when good touches him, he is withholding." (70:19-21) — "Halu'" combines both vices in one word. The divine diagnosis of the human soul before faith and purification: at evil = collapse and complaint; at good = hoarding and withholding. The exception: "except the praying" — those who pray constantly, pay zakat, believe in Judgment Day, fear punishment, guard their private parts, fulfill trusts. The true worshipper is one who broke anxiety with faith. Lesson: true prayer is medical treatment for anxiety.
Source: Ibn Kathir (8/222); Al-Sadi
Test Yourself
What is the exception that comes after describing the anxious human in Al-Maarij?
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