Likewise, knowledge of Allah is present in these people’s hearts. Those who denied love for Him are the very ones who said, “Knowledge of Him can be attained only through rational reflection.” Thus they denied the knowledge and love of Him present in their innate dispositions and hearts. This denial may then prevent them from recognizing these within themselves. The knowledge and love once present in a person’s heart may also disappear, for the innate disposition can become corrupted: it may disappear, or it may remain present yet go unseen.

“For indeed, it is not the eyes that are blind, but the hearts within the breasts.”

Allah Most High also says:

“So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth—in accordance with the natural disposition with which Allah created mankind. There is no changing Allah’s creation. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know. Turn to Him in repentance, fear Him, establish prayer, and do not be among those who associate partners with Him.”

In the two Sahīh collections, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is reported to have said:

“Every child is born upon the innate disposition. Then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian, just as an animal gives birth to an intact offspring. Do you see any mutilation in it?”

Abū Hurayrah would then say: “Recite, if you wish: ‘The natural disposition with which Allah created mankind.’”

The innate disposition necessarily entails knowing Allah, loving Him, and singling Him out as the most beloved of all things