What is the intent of the author of al-Jalalayn in his statement regarding the saying of Allah the Exalted: “Thus does Allah seal upon every arrogant, tyrannical heart”? Is it all hearts, or is it for the generality of the heart?
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The student: O Shaykh, regarding the commentator’s statement: “for the generality of the hearts”, should we not say that it is for the generality of the heart, and that the heart here includes everyone described with defiance and tyranny?
The Shaykh : No, that is not his intent. His intent is, for example, the hearts of Zayd, 'Amr, Bakr, and Khalid—these hearts. But if we say “for the generality of the heart,” it would mean only the heart of Zayd, and the sealing would be general for it. We do not say “for the generality of the heart”; we say “for the generality of the hearts.” This is general for every arrogant heart. So there is a difference between saying that this universality is for the parts or for the individuals. If we say “for the generality of the parts,” it means for the generality of the heart. If we say “for the generality of the individuals,” it means all hearts. Every heart that possesses this attribute, even if it were hundreds of millions possessing this attribute, is sealed upon it. And there is no doubt that the statement of the author (may Allah have mercy on him) has no basis for being absolute, but, glory be to Allah.
The Shaykh : No, that is not his intent. His intent is, for example, the hearts of Zayd, 'Amr, Bakr, and Khalid—these hearts. But if we say “for the generality of the heart,” it would mean only the heart of Zayd, and the sealing would be general for it. We do not say “for the generality of the heart”; we say “for the generality of the hearts.” This is general for every arrogant heart. So there is a difference between saying that this universality is for the parts or for the individuals. If we say “for the generality of the parts,” it means for the generality of the heart. If we say “for the generality of the individuals,” it means all hearts. Every heart that possesses this attribute, even if it were hundreds of millions possessing this attribute, is sealed upon it. And there is no doubt that the statement of the author (may Allah have mercy on him) has no basis for being absolute, but, glory be to Allah.