he is fretful.”
“And when good touches him, he is withholding.”

Al-Jawharī said: “Hala‘ (anxiety) is the most extreme form of anguish.” Others said: “In linguistic usage, it means the most intense greed and the worst anguish.” Hence the Prophet’s saying (may Allah bless him and grant him peace):

“The worst traits in a person are panic-stricken avarice and unnerving cowardice.”

A she-camel is described as halū‘ when she is swift and nimble. A wolf is described as hali‘ bali‘: hali‘ refers to its greed, and bali‘ to its swallowing.

Thus, the explanations given by the early generations encompass these meanings. Ibn ‘Abbās is reported to have said: “It describes someone who is fretful when evil touches him and withholding when good touches him.” He is also reported to have said: “It describes someone who covets what is unlawful for him.” Sa‘īd ibn Jubayr explained it as “avaricious”; ‘Ikrima, “fretful”; Ja‘far, “greedy”; al-Hasan and al-Dahhāk, “stingy”; and Mujāhid, “voracious.” Al-Dahhāk also said: “The halū‘ is someone who is never satisfied.” Muqātil explained it as “constricted in heart,” and ‘Atā’ as “hasty.”

All these meanings are contrary to steadfastness, strength, collectedness, self-restraint, and patience. The Most High has said:

“The building they built will remain a source of doubt in their hearts, unless their hearts are torn apart.”

Although this has been interpreted to mean that their hearts split apart and they die, it resembles expressions used in such circumstances: “His heart has split apart,” “My heart has become divided,” “My heart has become scattered,” and “My heart has been torn in different directions.” Hence it is said of fear: “It has scattered his heart.” Conversely, one says: “He is firm of heart,” “His heart is collected,” and “His heart is gathered together.”