in their hearts is a disease—so Allah increased their disease.” (Q 2:10) Allah the Exalted also says (1): “When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is a disease said, ‘These people have been deluded by their religion.’” (Q 8:49)

The disease of the heart is like the disease of the body: just as bodily illness deflects the body from health and equilibrium without necessarily causing death (2)(3), the heart too may be afflicted with an illness that diverts it from soundness and balance without the heart actually dying—whether that disease dulls the heart’s perception and awareness ⦗59⦘ or corrupts its action and movement (4).

Such disease—as He (5) clarified—arises from weak faith: it may sap the heart’s knowledge and conviction, or it may sap its action and resolve (6). Under this heading fall both the person whose affirmation is feeble and the one overwhelmed by cowardice and panic; for the ailments of the heart—illicit desire, envy, cowardice, stinginess, and the like—are all diseases, as are ignorance, doubts (7), and the suspicions that lodge within it.

Accordingly, His words, “so let the one in whose heart is a disease aspire…” (Q 33:32) refer to the intention of lewdness and the craving for fornication, as this verse has been explained (8). In this vein the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “And what illness is more….”