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Why does Allah highlights heart(qalb) so many times in Quran?
In Islamic teachings, the heart—known as qalb—holds profound spiritual significance beyond its physical role, serving as the core of human faith, intention, and moral state. Allah created it as the center for worship, love of Him, and constant transformation toward good or evil. Is the heart’s sole purpose to pump the blood throughout the body?
Purpose of Creation
Scientifically, the heart is primarily known for pumping blood, it also plays a crucial role in endocrine systems by secreting hormones that regulate blood pressure. The major role of heart was made to recognize and love Allah, embodying humanity's innate fitrah (natural disposition) for worship and purity. It acts as the spiritual hub where divine light enters, driving intentions, emotions, and actions—essentially the "seed of consciousness and sincerity." Scholars like Ibn al-Qayyim describe its natural state as radiant and inclined solely to Allah, enabling humans to fulfill their purpose of devotion. Quran highlights it’s worth multiple times by suggesting that it is not just for feelings, but for deep comprehension and reflection.
Qalb in the Quran
The Quran emphasizes that the ultimate success in the afterlife depends on the purity of the heart.
‘The Day when there will not benefit {anyone} wealth or children, but only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart(Qalb Saleem)’__ Surah Ash-Shu’ara(26:88-89)
Qalb appears 132 times, its root meaning "to turn" reflecting the heart's fluctuating states between faith and doubt, good and sin. The Quran portrays it as the locus of understanding, belief, and moral convergence with God, more vital than outward actions since divine judgment focuses on its hidden motives. Verses like Quran 7:179 emphasize its role in comprehension, warning that a heedless heart leads to spiritual blindness. Quran refers to different states of heart such as Qalb Saleem(sound/pure), Qalb Munib(Humble/Turning), Qalb Mutma’inn(tranquil), Qalb Qasiyah (hardend) and Qalb Makhtum(sealed). Prophet Muhammad PBUH spoke extensively about the heart, describing it as the spiritual compass of the human being.
Hadith on Heart's State
Key hadith states: "Verily in the body there is a piece of flesh; if it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is corrupt, the whole body is corrupt. Verily, it is the heart" (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). This underscores that a pure heart (qalbun saleem) ensures righteous deeds, body, and life, while corruption spreads evil everywhere. Allah looks to hearts over appearances, tying overall well-being to its condition.
Conclusion:
The Prophet Muhammad PBUH used to say this supplication often: ‘O Turner of the hearts, keep my heart firm upon Your religion’ __ Sunan al-Tirmidhi
The Prophet (ﷺ) once pointed to his chest three times and said, ‘Taqwa is here.” This indicates that true mindfulness of Allah starts in the heart, not just in external rituals. May Allah make us the righteous and steadfast.
Hafsa Mehboob
