Two years back when I gave a
brief presentation on this topic, it stirred quite a controversy among the
listeners who perhaps thought of heart, a mushy and bawling-over-love organ
only, which has nothing to do with logic and is only less than three.
But after two years of studying Quran, Hadith and Arabic, I stand my ground even
firmer. Generation of a thinkingis indeed a feeling. I don't have much
scientific backup to it but Ahadith and the verses from Quran speak for
themselves. Though I also hope that someday, someone would have an extensive
scientific research on it as well to change the face of this cliché. Since we
all believe Quran and Hadith more when it's backed by science (which isn't all
wrong either).
Let's strike at the heart of it, shall we?
1:From Quran
So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason
and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded but
blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts. [Quran,22:46]
Hearts are the main source of reasoning. Here, rationality has been associated
with it. Since no organ works, if heart doesn't.
So you see those in whose hearts is disease hastening into [association with]
them, saying... [Quran,5:52]
Almost everywhere, feelings precede the thinking. What you feel is what you say
usually. It all starts from the root, out until the fruit. Think before you
speak? Or feel before you do.
The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children. But only one
who comes to Allah with a sound heart. [Quran,26:88-89]
Suffering from 'drain bamage'? It doesn't matter. You have a damaged heart and
it makes a lot of difference. So don't take this half-heartedly.
Then do they not reflect upon the Quran, or are there locks upon [their] hearts?
[Quran,47:24]
It implies that one can't reflect, if his/her heart is locked. Perhaps we should
say think with an open heart instead of an open mind because eventually the
latter will happen since thinking sprouts from bottom of the heart.
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And
remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your
hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. [Quran,3:103]
Great minds think alike? Or how about, great hearts bond alike.
2: From Ahadith
Allah said, 'I have prepared for My righteous slaves (such excellent things) as
no eye has ever seen, nor an ear has ever heard nor a human heart can ever think
of.' [Bukhari]
Source of imagination is also the heart.
Allah has forgiven my nation for the evil suggestions of their hearts, so long
as they do not act upon it or speak of it, and for what they are forced to do. [IbnMajah]
The false dichotomy of head vs. heart cannot be resolved by the mind gaining
dominance over emotions, but by increasing the balance between the two systems.
Verily Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your
hearts. [Muslim]
You can't have a sweet fruit with a bitter root.
Narrated Abu Hurairah, 'I came to the Prophet (saws) and spread out my garment
to him, then he took it and gathered it at my heart, so I did not forget after
that [any Hadith].'[Tirmidhi]
This was really new to me because I would never have connected forgetfulness
with the blood-pumping organ, but now I know why they say know/learn it by
heart.
3: From Science
Our heart senses emotional info five to seven seconds before it happens while
brain senses it three to five seconds beforehand. So not only are emotions
important contributors to our output of thoughts, but may be one of the best
ways to influence and create a change in what and how we think.
In 1974, the French researchersGahery and Vigier, stimulated the vagus nerve
(which carries signals from heart to the brain) in cats and found that the heart
and nervous system were not simply following the brain's directions.
In 1983, the heart was reclassified as an endocrine gland when a new hormone
called atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), which affects blood vessels, kidneys,
adrenal glands and regulatory regions in the brain, was found being produced by
the heart. Dr. J. Andrew Armour discovered the heart also contains a cell type
known as intrinsic cardiac adrenergic (ICA), which synthesizes and releases
neurotransmitters once thought to be produced only by neurons in the brain and
nerve ganglia.
Heart starts beating in an unborn fetus before the brain has been formed, a
process scientists call autorhythmic.
Dr. Armour introduced the concept of a functional "heart brain" in 1991.
Considered an independent entity, the heart's brain is composed of an elaborate
network of neurons, support cells and neurotransmitters which enables it to
process information, learn, remember and produce feelings of the heart and then
transmit information from one cell to another. "We observed the heart was acting
as though it had a mind of its own and was profoundly affecting perception,
intelligence and awareness," explained McCraty.
According to Goleman, it's a person's EQ (Emotional Quotient) as much or more
than their IQ (Intelligence Quotient) that enables them to succeed in life.
During the 1960s and ’70s pioneer physiologists John and Beatrice Lacey
conducted research that showed the heart actually communicates with the brain in
ways that greatly affect how we perceive and react to the world around us.
Neurologist Antonio Damasio stresses the rationality of emotion in his book
Descartes’ Error, where he emphasizes the importance of emotions in decision
making. He points out that patients with brain damage in the areas of the brain
that integrate the emotional and cognitive systems can no longer effectively
function in the day-to-day world, even though their mental abilities are
perfectly normal.
Conclusion
Now I don't mean to say that brain has nothing to do in our lives. There are
many places where Allah (swt) has mentioned using intellect etc., but the main
point here lies, heart is an important part of it all. You have to water the
roots first. Don't cut off the connection with your heart merely because you
want to be a logical/rational person. That way you are just gradually burying it
under the debris of darkness. Dark hearts with dark thoughts hence.
But they say it wrong; once you go black, you never go back. It's never too
late. There is time until the last breath crawls out of our lungs. Heal the
hearts, to cure the brain, to mend the actions. Instead of solely relying on
your own self or the people around, seek help from Allah (swt) as Prophet (saws)
used to.
The supplication he (saws) said most frequently was: O Changer of the hearts,
make my heart firm upon Your religion. [Tirmidhi]
May Allah (swt) give all of us such sound heart.