An Analysis of the Phrase "Fi Qulubihim Marad" in the Holy Quran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Imam Sadeq university

Abstract

In contrast to true believers, the Holy Quran mentions various groups such as polytheists, disbelievers, the People of the Book (Jews, Christians, and Magians), and hypocrites. Among these groups, the Quran refers to those described as having "fi qulubihim marad" (a disease in their hearts). This phrase appears in 11 verses—8 times with the relative pronoun "alladhina", twice without it, and once as "alladhi fi qalbihi marad". In some instances, the Quran places this group alongside the hypocrites and attributes similar traits to both. This usage has led some commentators to consider them identical to hypocrites. However, despite certain similarities, these two groups are distinct. The phrase "fi qulubihim marad" appears in both Meccan and Medinan surahs but is more frequently found in the latter. This descriptive-analytical study examines the precise characteristics of those referred to as "fi qulubihim marad", based on Quranic verses and the views of commentators. The study clarifies that this group is separate from the hypocrites, although they share some traits. However, their motives and objectives differ. Three main perspectives exist among Quranic commentators regarding this phrase: 1. It refers to hypocrites and is simply another expression for them. 2. These individuals belong to the category of hypocrites, but the severity of hypocrisy varies between them and full-fledged hypocrites. 3. These individuals are not hypocrites but rather weak in faith and wavering in their belief. The third view, which sees them as weak believers rather than hypocrites, appears to be the most substantiated

Keywords

References

  1. * The Holy Quran

    ** Nahj al-Balagha

    1. ‘Abd al-Baqi, Q. J. (2006). Those in whose hearts is disease in the view of commentators. Qom: Dar al-Tafsir. [In Persian]
    2. ‘Arusi Howeyzi, A. b. J. (1994). Tafsir Nur al-Thaqalayn (Vol. 2). Qom: Isma‘iliyan. [In Arabic]
    3. Abu al-Futuh Razi, H. b. A. (1988). Rawd al-Jinan wa Ruh al-Jinan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an (Vols. 9, 16, 20). Mashhad: Astan Quds Razavi, Islamic Research Foundation. [In Persian]
    4. Al-Alusi, M. b. A. (1994). Ruh al-Ma‘ani fi Tafsir al-Qur'an al-‘Azim wa al-Sab‘ al-Mathani (Vols. 5, 6, 9). Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyya, Publications of Muhammad Ali Baydun. [In Arabic]
    5. Borhan, M. (2001). Burhan-e Qati‘ Persian Dictionary. Tehran: Nima. [In Persian]
    6. Delbari, S. M. (2016). The educational implications of the semantic study of heart in the Holy Qur'an. Journal of Quranic Interpretation and Language, 5(1), 81-106. [In Persian]
    7. Esma‘ilzadeh, A., & Ajilian Mafuq, M. M. (2010). A study on the identification of the referents of "those in whose hearts is disease" in the Holy Qur'an. Quranic Teachings, Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, (12). [In Persian]
    8. Fakhr Razi, M. (1999). Al-Tafsir al-Kabir (Mafatih al-Ghayb) (Vols. 2, 12, 23, 24, 25). Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-Arabi. [In Arabic]
    9. Farahidi, K. (1989). Kitab al-‘Ayn (Vol. 5). Qom: Hijrat Publications. [In Arabic]
    10. Firuziyan, Sh., Nasiri, H., & Norouzi, M. J. (2020). A comparative study of the meanings of "hypocrite" and "those with diseased hearts" in the Qur'an. Scientific Journal of Religious Anthropology, 22(44), 143-157. [In Persian]
    11. Ibn Ashur, M. T. (1999). Al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir. Beirut: Al-Tarikh al-Arabi Institute. [In Arabic]
    12. Ibn Manzur, M. b. M. (1950). Lisan al-Arab (Vols. 7, 10). Beirut: Dar al-Fikr for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution. [In Arabic]
    13. Javadi Amoli, A. (2002). Sorush-e Hedayat (The Call of Guidance). Qom: Isra Publishing Center. [In Persian]
    14. Javadi Amoli, A. (2002/a). Thematic Interpretation of the Holy Qur'an (Vols. 11, 12, 14). Qom: Isra Publishing Center. [In Persian]
    15. Javadi Amoli, A. (2005). Bunyan Marsus: Imam Khomeini &. Qom: Isra Publishing Center. [In Persian]
    16. Javadi Amoli, A. (2009). Woman in the Mirror of Majesty and Beauty. Qom: Raja. [In Persian]
    17. Javadi Amoli, A. (2009/a). Islam and the Environment. Qom: Isra Publishing Center. [In Persian]
    18. Javadi Amoli, A. (2009/b). Tasnim (Vols. 1, 2, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 42). Qom: Isra Publishing Center. [In Persian]
    19. Javadi Amoli, A. (2010/b). The Horizons of Thought. Qom: Isra Publishing Center. [In Persian]
    20. Javadi Amoli, A. (2014). Tasnim (Vol. 32). Qom: Isra Publishing Center. [In Persian]
    21. Khorramshahi, B. (1997). Encyclopedia of the Qur'an and Quranic Studies (Vol. 2). Tehran: Doustan; Nahid. [In Persian]
    22. Makarem Shirazi, N. (1992). Tafsir-e Nemuneh (Vols. 8, 17, 21, 25). Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiya. [In Persian]
    23. Qara’ati, M. (2009). Tafsir-e Nur (Vol. 1). Tehran: Cultural Center of Lessons from the Qur'an. [In Persian]
    24. Qarashi, A. A. (1992). Qamus al-Qur'an (Vol. 7). Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiya. [In Persian]
    25. Raghib Esfahani, H. (1991). Mufradat Alfaz al-Qur'an. Beirut: Dar al-Shamiya. [In Arabic]
    26. Riyahi Mehr, B., Ebrahimi, L., & Dorosti, M. (2018). A semantic study of the word "Maraz" in the Qur'an based on co-occurrence relations. Journal of Islamic Studies, (34). [In Persian]
    27. Shartuti, S. (1995). Aqrab al-Mawarid fi Fusah al-Arabiya wa al-Shawari (Vols. 3, 5). Tehran: Dar al-Aswa for Printing and Publishing. [In Arabic]
    28. Tabarani, S. b. A. (2008). Al-Tafsir al-Kabir: Tafsir al-Qur'an al-‘Azim (Al-Tabarani). Jordan: Dar al-Kitab al-Thaqafi. [In Arabic]
    29. Tabarsi, F. b. H. (1993). Majma‘ al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an (Vols. 5, 7, 8, 9, 10). Tehran: Naser Khosrow. [In Persian]
    30. Tabataba’i, S. M. H. (1970). Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an (Vols. 1, 5, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20). Beirut: Al-A‘lami Institute for Publications. [In Arabic]
    31. Tusi, M. b. H. (n.d.). Al-Tibyan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an (Vol. 8). Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-Arabi.
    32. Zamakhshari, M. b. U. (1986). Al-Kashshaf ‘an Haqaiq Ghawamid al-Tanzil wa ‘Uyun al-Aqawil fi Wujuh al-Ta'wil (Vols. 2, 3). Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi. [In Arabic]

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 23 January 2024
  • Revise Date: 08 December 2024
  • Accept Date: 25 January 2025
  • Publish Date: 10 March 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics