Al-Furqan 25:43
The Criterion · Meccan · Juz 19 · Page 363
Taking Desire as God
أَرَءَيۡتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ أَفَأَنتَ تَكُونُ عَلَيۡهِ وَكِيلًا ٤٣
Hast thou seen him who chooseth for his god his own lust? Wouldst thou then be guardian over him.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
Have you seen the one who takes his desire as his god? Would you be a guardian over him?
Insight
According to Elmalılı, “hawa” is the self’s spontaneous inclination, sheer whim; the phrasing shows he knows no god but what he craves.
Reflect
Say “no” to one of your desires today.
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›