illnesses of the soul are some whose sufferer, if he fears his Lord and patiently endures them until death, is a martyr. Such is the coward who fears Allah and remains steadfast in battle until he is killed. Miserliness and cowardice are illnesses of the soul: yielding to either brings a person pain, while resisting it also causes him pain, as with bodily illnesses.

The same applies to passionate love, for it has been related:

“Whoever falls passionately in love, remains chaste, conceals his love, and patiently endures, then dies, dies a martyr.”

It is an illness of the soul that urges a person toward what harms his soul, just as illness urges a sick person to consume what harms him. If he yields to his desire, his torment increases greatly in the Hereafter and in this world as well. But if he resists his desire by remaining chaste and concealing his love, his soul suffers pain and sickness. If he dies from that illness, he is a martyr. This passion urges him toward the Fire, but he restrains it, just as the coward’s soul holds him back from Paradise, yet he drives it forward.

When accompanied by faith and fear of Allah, these illnesses are as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, described:

“Allah decrees nothing for the believer but that it is good for him. If prosperity comes to him and he gives thanks, it is good for him; and if adversity befalls him and he remains patient, it is good for him.”

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. May Allah bestow blessings and abundant peace upon our master Muhammad, all his family, and all his Companions.