—your fear of created beings, then, comes from a disease within you, just like the diseases of polytheism and sin.

The very root of the heart’s soundness is that it be alive and radiant. The Exalted says in al-Anʿām (6:122): “Is someone who was dead, and to whom We gave life and a light by which he walks among people, like one who is in layers of darkness from which he can never emerge?” For this reason Allah often mentions the life and light of hearts—and their death and darkness—in many places, such as His words in Yā-Sīn (36:70): “that he may warn whoever is alive and that the Word may be fulfilled against the disbelievers.” He likewise says in al-Anfāl (8:24): “O you who believe, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which will give you life,” and then, “Know that Allah comes between a man and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered.”

He, Most High, also says in al-Rūm (30:19): “He brings forth the living from the dead and brings forth the dead from the living”—one instance of which is that He brings forth a believer from a disbeliever, and a disbeliever from a believer.

In a sound hadith it is said, “The likeness of a house in which Allah is remembered and a house in which He is not remembered is that of the living and the dead.” Another authentic report states, “Perform some of your prayers in your homes and do not turn them into graves.”

The Most High says in al-Anʿām (6:39): “Those who deny Our signs are deaf and dumb, in darkness.” He has also set forth both the Verse of Light and the verse of darkness. About light He says (al-Nūr 24:35):

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The likeness of His light is as a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is in a glass, the glass as though it were a brilliant star lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither of the east nor of the west; its oil would almost glow forth even though no fire touched it—light upon light.”

This is the likeness of the light of faith in the hearts of the believers. He then says (24:39-40):

“But those who disbelieve—their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one supposes it to be water, but when he comes to it he finds nothing there, and he finds Allah with him, Who will settle his account—Allah is swift in reckoning. Or they are like layers of darkness in a deep sea covered by waves upon waves, above which are clouds—darknesses, one above another. When he stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it. Whomever Allah has not granted light, he will have no light at all.”

The first parable concerns corrupt creeds and the actions that stem from them: their bearer imagines them to be something that will benefit him, but when he confronts them he finds nothing of use, and Allah will then settle his account for those very deeds. The second depicts outright ignorance—the absence of both faith and knowledge—for its possessor is in darkness upon darkness, unable to perceive anything. True sight exists only through the light of faith and knowledge.

The Exalted says in al-Aʿrāf (7:201): “Indeed, those who are mindful of Allah—when a visitation from Satan touches them, they remember, and immediately they see clearly.” And He says in Yūsuf (12:24): “Indeed she desired him, and he would have desired her had he not seen the proof of his Lord.” That proof is the evidence of faith that had settled in his heart; through it Allah repelled from him what he had inclined toward, recorded for him a complete good deed, and wrote against him no sin, for he performed a righteous act and refrained from an evil one.

And the Most High says: