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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol.

“And among people there is such a one who worships Allah only by tongue, so that if good befalls him he is satisfied therewith, and if a trial afflicts him he turns back his face; he losses this world and (also) the Hereafter; that is indeed the manifest loss.” 12. “He calls, besides Allah, upon that which does not harm him and that which does not profit him: that is indeed the far straying.” 13.

“He calls upon him whose harm is nearer than his profit; an evil protector indeed, he, an evil associate.” The faith of some people is seasonal and superficial so that the pleasant or bitter events can change it. The situation of belief and the action based on logic is different from the situation of the material changes. We ought not seek for religion because of reaching to bread.

In previous verses, two groups were discussed about: the group of followers of aberration and the leaders of those who mislead others. In these verses, a third group is spoken about; they are those who are weak in faith. In the explanation of this group, the Qur’an says that such people believe in Allah merely by expression, while their heartily belief is very weak and superficial.

The verse says: “And among people there is such a one who worships Allah only by tongue…” The Qur’anic phrase /‘ala harfin/ may refer to this fact that their faith is rather on their tongue and there has not glowed in their hearts but a very weak light of faith. It may refer to this fact that they are not settled in the center of faith and Islam, but they are in the edge of it.

One of the meanings of the Arabic term /harf/ is the verge of mountain and the side of things, and we know that those who are standing in the verge of something, are not fixed and steadfast and, with a slight shake, they may go out of the way. Such is the state of those whose Faith is weak, that with usually a tiny thing their faith vanishes.