Character Quote by Fazlur Rahman
““The idea behind verses about the sealing of hearts appears to be the psychological law that if a person once does a good or an evil deed, his chances of repeating that kind of action increase and of doing its opposite proportionately decrease. With constant repetition of an evil or of a good action, it becomes almost impossible for a person to do the opposite, or even to think of it, so much so that while men's hearts become "sealed" and their eyes "blinded" if they do evil, their doing good produces such a state of mind that the devil himself can have no sway over it. Nevertheless, actions which create a psychological habit, however strong their influence may be, must not be construed as absolute determinants, for there is no "point of no return" for human behavior: genuine repentance (tauba) can turn an apparently wholly evil man into a paragon of virtue; on the other hand, although this is much more rare, an apparent paragon of virtue (even a prophet!) can turn into a near devil enmeshed in carnal pleasures .””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Study of Islamic Philosophy, Fazlur Rahman, 1985
Repeated actions shape character, making it harder to act opposite; yet change remains possible through sincere repentance.
In simple terms: Habits reinforce behavior, but transformation is still possible.
Key Takeaway
Recognize patterns, seek repentance for change.
Themes
habit formation
psychology
morality
redemption
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- conflict resolution
- ethical decision making
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
behavioral conditioning
free will
spiritual transformation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you identify entrenched habits?
- What steps can foster genuine repentance?
A Different Perspective
Change is never impossible; repentance can reverse even deep habits.
