Human Heart In The Quran
The “human heart in the Quran” holds profound significance. The term “heart” in Arabic, known as “qalb,” translates to “turning around, turning upwards, turning upside down.” In anatomy, it refers to the cone-shaped mass of flesh on the left side of the human chest, responsible for circulating blood and constantly in motion. In psychology and literature, “heart” signifies a spiritual quality and subtlety. It organizes information gathered from the senses, drawing conclusions and rules, while also discerning hidden feelings about right and wrong, as well as pleasant and unpleasant matters. Essentially, it is used to convey both “intellect” and “spiritual intuition,” which modern language appropriately calls “conscience.”
The Quran emphasizes the crucial role of the heart in a person’s life, distinguishing between good and evil. It’s considered the core of one’s well-being, influencing both personal actions and overall health. To safeguard believers from spiritual diseases and the temptations of Satan, God and His Final Messenger, peace be upon him, have highlighted the significance of pure intentions in every good deed and word. A pure intention, in this context, refers to a heartfelt desire solely for God’s pleasure. When the heart is illuminated with the sincerity of good intentions, it becomes a receptacle for Divine grace to descend.
In Islam, it’s emphasized to have a sincere and pure intention before engaging in any worship or good deeds. This means that the command is essentially about purifying our hearts. Simply stating a good intention with words isn’t enough; if our hearts are not pure, the intended goal may not be achieved. This example highlights the significance of a healthy and pure heart in realizing the importance of intention.
So long as the animal soul, residing in an animal, is limited and unable to progress, it takes on a different potential when present in a human being. In humans, there are three souls – the vegetative, animal, and human souls – with the partial intellect governing them. These souls correspond to the liver, heart, and brain, respectively, and the intellect oversees the human soul. The heart, serving as the center of the animal soul, becomes the workshop for the intellect and the rational soul to teach and elevate the animal soul. This crucial process of intellectual and spiritual transformation is referred to as the “heart” in the wise Quran, where guidance and exhortation are directed.
Consider the Divine law’s workshop in plants – a fascinating space where lifeless elements like soil transform into the vibrant vegetative soul. This miraculous process elevates plants to the level of animals. Now, envision the vast circle of products in the ultimate workshop of God – humans. This pinnacle of creation encompasses a wide array of marvels. By keenly observing, one will realize that not only do animal souls evolve into human souls within this workshop, but everything related to God’s divinity is also fashioned here. As an independent world, humans gather all other workshops and treasures within themselves. This celebration is a testament to the profound capabilities of the heart’s workshop.
The human heart is like a complex workshop where divine laws play out. This complexity, while necessary for growth and learning, also makes it prone to “defects” or mistakes, which we might perceive as illness. The Quran recognizes this complexity and focuses on the heart because it’s the battleground where good and evil, reason and emotion, all clash and influence our actions. So, “heart” here refers not just to the physical organ, but to the whole inner world of intellect, emotions, and desires.
Having a healthy and successful intellect is proven when the animal soul transforms into the human soul and then into the intellect through heavenly remedies. This kind of intellect is referred to as a “sound heart” (26:89). Such a sound heart not only leads to a special closeness to God, following the examples of Hazrat Ibrahim and the holy prophet, not just in the afterlife but also in this world.
The blessed name of God and His abundant remembrance bring manifold blessings to the intellect and soul, leading to heart satisfaction. To grasp the depth of heart satisfaction, turn to the Holy Quran, specifically the story of Hazrat Ibrahim (2:260) and the description of the satisfied soul (nafs-i mutma’innah) (89:27). Hazrat Ibrahim’s heart satisfaction involved witnessing the miracles of resurrection. If we consider the satisfied soul from the prophet and Awlia’s perspective, its concept rises to the level of Hazrat Ibrahim’s heart satisfaction. In verse 89:27, the satisfaction reaches heavenly heights. This makes it clear that the Divine satisfaction (13:28) achieved through abundant remembrance of God is limitless, offering various nourishments and remedies for the intellect and soul.
Every topic in the Holy Quran, whether directly or indirectly, revolves around the subject of the heart. This is because the Quran is a comprehensive guide for all humans, focusing on the core of their external and internal senses – the heart. The Quran’s teachings and guidance are aimed at the heart, indicating that the true essence of a person, whether good or bad, lies within the heart. It is the duty of the heart to comprehend and respond to the Quran’s message. As the Holy Quran says:
In essence, it is the duty of both the heart and mind to comprehend the Quran. If someone fails to reflect on it or if their heart is closed to its message, that’s a separate issue. Nonetheless, our current conversation revolves around highlighting the significance of the heart, its intricacies, and the potential for diseases.
In ancient times, Ptolemy’s theory positioned Earth at the center of the universe, but later research revealed the sun as the actual center. Similarly, it’s accurate to describe the sun as the heart and center of the solar system, the macrocosm. Likewise, the heart functions as the sun and center of the microcosm, the personal world. Although the sun is stationary, it continually radiates light, essential for the universe’s vitality. In a comparable manner, the heart, as the personal world’s sun, beats persistently, generating life’s waves throughout the personal realm. This highlights the undeniable reality that, just as the sun holds significance in the external world, the heart is crucial in human existence.
Here, we’ve given some examples of heart diseases with references from the Quran.
- To have a seal on the heart (2:7)
- Quarrel, dispute (2:204)
- Hardness of heart (2:74)
- suspicion (48:12)
- to have a lock on the heart (47:24)
- Blindness of heart (22:46)
- Stupidity (22:46)
- To be frightened, cowardice (13:151)
- Non understanding, stupidity (7:179)
- Deviation perversion (9:117)
- Narrowness of the heart (6:125)
- Negligence of the remembrance of God (18:28)
- Contraction of heart (2:74)
- Hiding testimony (2:283)
- Doubt, wavering (9:45)
- Curse, faraway from Mercy (5:12)
- Turning away of heart from the truth (9:127)
- Pride (16:22)
- Wavering of heart (59:14)
- Temptation or trial by Satan (22:53)
- waywardness, disobedience (6:110)
- Inability to have pleasure from the verses of the Holy Quran (6:110)
- Pre-occupation of heart (21:3)
- Ill will, secret hatred (47:29)