Man Was Created Anxious — When Evil Touches Him Despairing When Good Touches Him Withholding
tadabbur
Level: intermediate
qalb-states
td-261
إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعٗا
— المعارج 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
Question: What is the exception that comes after describing the anxious human in Al-Maarij?
Answer: Except the praying — whoever establishes prayer, pays zakat, and believes in the Day of Judgment breaks the nature of anxiety through faith.