Section
The Eighth Distinction
This concerns the case in which evil comes from the soul. Evil is foul and blameworthy, and Allah describes it as foul in such verses as:
“Foul things are for foul people, and foul people are for foul things.”
The majority of the early generations said: “Foul words are for foul people.” Some of them said: “Foul words and deeds are for foul people.” Allah Most High also says:
“Allah sets forth the example of a good word,”
and:
“And the example of a foul word.”
Allah also says:
“To Him good words ascend, and righteous deeds raise them up.”
Words and deeds are attributes of the one who speaks and acts. Thus, if the soul is characterized by evil and foulness, the person in whom it resides benefits only from what is suited to it.
Anyone who seeks to have snakes and scorpions live among people like cats will not succeed.