The Meaning of the Hadith: “The Hearts Are Between Two Fingers of the Fingers of the Merciful…”

Question:
This questioner who sent this message did not write his name in the message. He says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say: Then he said to 'A'ishah: We want the completion of this hadith, and what is the occasion for this hadith?

Answer:
The hadith is clear. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So the meaning is that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, is the One in Whose hand is the firmness of matters. The believer asks his Lord for steadfastness in faith and steadfastness in the truth. The hearts fluctuate, and they are between two fingers of the fingers of Allah. This is understood according to its apparent meaning, affirming for Allah fingers in the manner befitting Allah, and that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, is the One in Whose hand is the directing of affairs and the turning of hearts as He wills. He turns one, and he apostatizes from his religion; He turns another, and he submits to Islam; He turns another’s heart, and he falls into sins. The hearts are in the hand of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, and He is the One who directs them as He wills . The believer asks his Lord, saying: O Allah, make my heart steadfast upon Your religion. O Allah, O Turner of hearts, make my heart steadfast upon Your religion. O Allah, O Direr of hearts, direct my heart toward Your obedience. He asks his Lord for steadfastness.
And Allah is described as having fingers and a hand, Glorified and Exalted is He, in the manner befitting Him . He does not resemble His creation, neither in hand nor in fingers, nor in speech, nor in satisfaction, nor in anger, nor in anything else. As He, the Exalted, said: [Surat al-Shura: 11], and He, the Exalted, said: [Surat al-A'raf: 180]. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, O Shaykh.