The ‘Heart’ in the Qur’an (Al-Aa`raaf 8: 179)
I would like to ask a question that; in the 78th verse of the Surah Al-Nahl in the Holy Qur’an, God says, what means:
And We have given you ears, eyes and heart to think/thinking heart, so that you should become grateful.
This statement "Heart to think" seems rather confusing because heart is being said as something that could think. Whereas according to science, the brain is the thinking element. And both of these organs are separate entities. There is not much information, relating to the brain in Qur’an.
What are your comments about this statement?
Fahad Saif, Pakistan
Reply
Although your question is quite pertinent, yet it should not be addressed with reference to the cited verse. A simple translation of the cited verse follows, which would clarify that it does not entail the particular difficulty, which you have pointed out:
It is He, Who brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers in a state that you knew nothing; and then He gave you [the faculties of] hearing and sight and feelings: that you may be grateful.
A more relevant verse, on the basis of which the stated question may be addressed, in my opinion, is Al-Aa`raaf 8: 179. The verse reads as:
Many are the Jinn and men We have made for Hell: they have hearts wherewith they understand not; eyes wherewith they see not and ears wherewith they hear not.
Before I answer the specific question, I would first like to clarify that according to the Qur’an, a complete human being is primarily a composition of two things: the physical being and the spiritual being. As we are fully aware of the physical being, there is no need to explain what it is. However, the spiritual being, which according to the Qur’an is adorned, besides other things, with the knowledge of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ and that of subservience to the One God only, is something, the existence of which we may overlook. It is, in fact, the existence of this spiritual being, which makes us – humans – an elevated creation, as compared to the other physical beings.
It seems from the Qur’an that the heart is the center or the head quarter of this spiritual being. The reference to the heart, as the center of thoughtfulness, in the Qur’an is generally with reference to the thoughtfulness, understanding and consideration that is required in accepting the truth. Thus, at such instances, the Qur’an has actually referred to the spiritual death or apathy of the individuals in question. This particular thoughtfulness, understanding and consideration, as is clear, is not the job of the physical brain. It is, on the contrary, a particular spiritual, ethical or moral quality, which according to the Qur’an, is performed by our spiritual being, which, in turn, is primarily stationed in our hearts.
It should further be clarified that the existence and the whereabouts of our spiritual selves is beyond the scope of the physical sciences, as the being, in itself, is not a physical entity.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Use this "Home Page" link only if you have opened this page by following an external link