“What disease is worse than miserliness?”

Allah Most High has made His Book a cure for what is in people’s hearts. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“The only cure for ignorance is to ask.”

He would also say in his supplication:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from evil character traits, desires, and diseases.”

A person will never fear anyone other than Allah except because of a disease in his heart. Thus, it is related that a man complained to Ahmad ibn Hanbal of his fear of certain rulers. He replied, “If your heart were sound, you would fear no one.” That is, your fear arises because your heart has lost its soundness. For this reason, Allah has required His servants not to fear Satan’s party, but rather to fear none other than Him, Most High. He says:

“That is only Satan, frightening you with his allies. So do not fear them, but fear Me, if you are believers.”

That is, he makes you fear his allies.

He addressed the Children of Israel collectively, as a reminder to us:

“And fear Me alone.”

He also says:

“So do not fear people, but fear Me.”

And He says:

“So that people may have no argument against you, except those among them who do wrong. So do not fear them, but fear Me.”

And He Most High says:

“Today the disbelievers have lost hope of undermining your religion. So do not fear them, but fear Me.”

And He says:

“The mosques of Allah are maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakah, and fear none but Allah.”

And He says:

“Those who convey the messages of