The Intelligent Heart

The Quran uses the word heart repeatedly, 100 times or so, normally as a noun, except in some stances where other forms of the word are used. The word itself (qalb) is used in the Quran to mean 'heart', and if one reads all the verses in which the heart is mentioned, it becomes very clear that 'heart' is the center of consciousness, the center of human awareness. Qalb is closely associated with intellect or understanding, as it is with all of the functions of the mind. The emotions are also located in the heart, but this is a secondary meaning. A sound heart is the mark of a human being who is in proper relationship with the Divine. And it is illness in the heart that is the cause of human difficulties and human problems.

William Chittick