The Essence of the Holy Qur’an

The Heart That Understands

Have they not journeyed upon the earth, that they might have hearts by which to understand or ears by which to hear? Truly it is not the eyes that go blind, but it is hearts within breasts that go blind.

(Surah 22. al-Hajj, Verse -46)

The Qur’an presents the heart as more than a physical organ. It associates the heart with understanding, faith, and spiritual awareness. This naturally raises a question: if the brain is the organ of thought, why does the Qur’an speak of the heart as understanding?

The human heart beats about 100,000 times a day. Remarkably, each heartbeat is initiated by specialized pacemaker cells within the heart itself rather than by the brain. Even during a heart transplant, the heart can continue beating independently once supplied with oxygen. From an Islamic perspective, this remarkable design reflects the wisdom of Allah.

Science has also shown that communication between the heart and the brain is a two-way process. The brain constantly sends signals that regulate the heart, while the heart sends information back through nerves and other pathways. Researchers have identified thousands of specialized nerve cells within the heart that contribute to this communication, influencing brain regions involved in emotion, attention, and decision-making.

This does not mean the heart literally thinks as the brain does. Memory, reasoning, and conscious thought remain functions of the brain. However, the heart is far more than a simple pump; it actively communicates with the brain and influences how we respond to the world.

The Qur’an’s description points to a deeper truth. In Islam, the qalb (heart) is the center of faith, sincerity, and moral perception. The brain may process information, but the heart determines whether a person embraces truth and guidance.

Thus, when the Qur’an speaks of hearts that understand—or hearts that become blind—it reminds us that true understanding is not merely intellectual. It is the union of a sound mind with a heart that remains open to Allah’s guidance.