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

The Eye of God in the Heart of Man

Q What is conscience?

A The eye of God in the heart of man, which sees everything that is perceptible, in its right form, place, time, cause, and purpose.

Q What is reason?

A The revolving of the conscience, whilst it contemplates by means of sight, hearing, and experience, whatever comes before it.

Q What is understanding?

A The working of the conscience, whilst it exercises its energies and might for the purpose of acquiring and improving good sciences.

Q What is wisdom?

A Sciences acquired by the revolving of the reason, and the powerful working of the intellect, which obtain sciences from God and goodness – and by success in the improvement of them.

Q What is sense?

A The exercise and rectification of wisdom, by studying the manner in which it has been obtained, and tasting the counsels of other wise men.

Thus thou knowest the correct saying of wisdom, 'Take as an answer, I know, and I do not know, and try to understand it. He who possesses wisdom, will correct himself, and will not stand in need of another.' Didst thou not say that wisdom may be rectified by the counsel of wise men? Yes; for trying the advice of wise men, and tasting that which is wise, causes one to improve in wisdom, that is, not by the acquisition of counsel and instruction, but by applying them to the taste, as if bodily food were given to the wretch that asked it. It is not the giver that feeds the body but he that takes what is proper for him, omitting what is otherwise.

Q What is God?

A The life of all lives.

Q What is the spirit of God?

A The power of all powers.

Q What is the providence of God?

A The order of orders, and the system of systems.

Q What is the power of God?

A The knowledge of all knowledge, the art of all arts, and the agent of all agents.

Q What is truth?

A The sciences of wisdom preserved in memory by conscience.

Q What is justice?

A The art and office of conscience, regulated by reason, understanding and wisdom, considering and acting accordingly.

Q What is judgement?

A God co-reasoning with man in his conscience, in respect of the knowledge which he possesses, after he has revolved in his mind what has been demonstrated.

Q What is the soul?

A The breath of God in a carnal body.

Q What is life?

A The might of God.

This is a dialogue between a druid bard and his disciple. What a remarkable resemblance this ancient wisdom of the Druids of Britain bears to Islamic knowedge.

Honesty in the Hearts of Men

Sahih Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Hadith Number 504:

Narrated Hudhaifa:

Allah's Apostle narrated to us two narrations, one of which I have seen (happening) and I am waiting for the other. He narrated that honesty was preserved in the roots of the hearts of men (in the beginning) and then they learnt it (honesty) from the Qur'an, and then they learnt it from the (Prophet's) Sunna (tradition). He also told us about its disappearance, saying, "A man will go to sleep whereupon honesty will be taken away from his heart, and only its trace will remain, resembling the traces of fire. He then will sleep whereupon the remainder of the honesty will also be taken away (from his heart) and its trace will resemble a blister which is raised over the surface of skin, when an ember touches one's foot; and in fact, this blister does not contain anything. So there will come a day when people will deal in business with each other but there will hardly be any trustworthy persons among them. Then it will be said that in such-and-such a tribe there is such-and-such person who is honest, and a man will be admired for his intelligence, good manners and strength, though indeed he will not have belief equal to a mustard seed in his heart." The narrator added: There came upon me a time when I did not mind dealing with anyone of you, for if he was a Muslim, his religion would prevent him from cheating; and if he was a Christian, his Muslim ruler would prevent him from cheating; but today I cannot deal except with so-and-so and so-and-so.

Dying Hearts (Literally)

It is my belief that modern society itself is riddled with diseases of egotism. Adultery, mindless violence, pornography, illegal invasions, gluttony, dishonour, corruption—these ailments have become normal. Is it because our hearts have atrophied from lack of use?

Is it any wonder that people are falling dead from diseased hearts?