Could you please explain the expression that is cited in the 24th verse of Surah Al-Anfal:“Allah comes in between a man and his heart”?
Dear Brother / Sister,
“O ye who believe! Give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allah cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to whom Ye shall (all) be gathered.” (Al-Anfal 8/24)
It is necessary to understand the duty of answering Allah (SWT) and His messenger’s call and doing what is ordered in a broader and general framework. According to this, just as answering the call, performing the orders of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and taking side with Him during his time are considered answering a call, obeying the orders of the Qur’an and Sunnah and living a life according to this are also considered answering their call.
The root meaning of the word Islam is “peace and welfare”. It can be said that Islam is a call to peace when it is understood right. The demand of Religion is a world order where there is no persecution or oppression but an order based on law and justice. In this context the call of Allah (SWT) and His messenger is a call to “living in peace” for all humanity.
The expression of “between a man and his heart” is an idiom and is meant to be man’s mind and his senses. It is not possible to hide any information, decision, inclination or a feeling from Allah. Allah (SWT) knows and discriminates between people who are sincere to His calling and those who only answer His calling just because of their personal benefits. Besides, Allah is always aware of the inner world of man where no one can reach, know and intervene and He can also let the belief, knowledge and feelings change. Thus, all servants of Allah should take refuge in Him and pray for the betterment of their beliefs, souls and knowledge to Him and say “Oh my Allah, changer of states and transformer of souls! “Better my status and soul” (see Musnad, IV,182;VI91)
Questions on Islam
- Some Christians claim that Allah (SWT) can only be loved and find fear of Allah (SWT) meaningless. How can we respond to those people who think like that?
- What is essential in Islam? War or Peace?
- As there is no counterpart of Allah (SWT) and gradation of His power, is there not any gradation in this verse: “What! are ye the more difficult to create or the heaven (above)? (Allah) hath constructed it:” (Surah An-Naziat, 79/27)
- How would you respond the claim Christians make “We mention Jesus (PBUH) the son of god to mean they both are of the same essence. I do not believe but I am afraid of being mistaken about it. Besides, I would be glad if you could recommend a book to
- Is the Qur’an Alive? If it is alive then what is meant by it? Can we call the Qur’an “the Spirit”?
- Is faith in heart? If so, what sort of situation appears in heart transplantation?
- Can the existence of Allah (SWT) be proved with objective criteria? Is it wrong to try to prove Allah (SWT)’s existence?
- Can someone who seeks the reality remain indifferent to the truths that prophets declared?
- Why do we thank? Why do we need to be grateful to Allah (SWT)?
- What is the criterion of superiority in the sight of Allah (SWT)? Is there any particular race or nation that Allah (SWT) favors?
