The human heart, according to psychologists, functions as a complex system where thoughts dictate emotions, emotions drive actions, and actions form habits that eventually shape an individual’s life and the society. The human mind is the ‘engine room’ of the body and soul of man, which processes and translates internal perceptions into external behaviours.
For the purpose of this piece, the word ‘heart’ would sometimes be used to denote ‘mind’ even though the latter is not necessarily a synonym of the former. The primary difference between the two is that while the mind “operates on logic, reason and cognitive analysis,” the heart operates on emotions and deep-seated feelings.” Indeed, the heart powers and propels man’s reason and intellect. The heart is the abode of convictions as confessed by the tongue and executed by other parts of the body. The Arabs would say, ‘That which is in you (i.e. your mind) is what comes out of you (i.e. your mouth).’
The heart is central to the mental and physical wellbeing of man. Imam Bukhari and Muslim both relate in the sixth hadith of Annawawi’s collection of forty traditions that the Prophet (SAW) said, ‘… Is it not a fact that there is in the body a mass (of flesh) by whose healthiness the whole body is healthy, and by whose sickness the whole body is sick? And is this not the heart?’ The heart is the essence of man’s spiritual and emotional being. That is why you physically point to your heart when you say “I” or when you want to express your deeper feelings.
When you fall in love, your heart is excited. That is why you love someone from the bottom of your heart. When you’re rejected, your heart breaks. You are called heartless or cold-hearted when you show no care or love to others. You are referred to as large-hearted when you tolerate others. The heart runs your life, pushing and pulling you in all directions; from attraction to repulsion. Therefore, living inside your head all the time is actually not the best of options in a world where ‘survival of the fittest’ is the norm.
When faced with a decision, the king may ask his adviser(s) for advice. The king may even send him out into the world to gather information. But ultimately, it is the king that makes the final decision even though the adviser may not always agree with the king’s decision. In the same way, when faced with challenges of making a decision, your head may come up with many and different but quite logical reasons why it should act as the heart advises. If you listen to and trust your heart, no matter how illogical or irrational it may seem in that matter, it usually pays. This metaphorically makes the human head fit to be described as ‘the king’, and the heart as the ‘king’s adviser.’ This also explains why it would be better to listen more to your heart than to your head or all the heads in the world. Bulwer-Lytton Edward said, ‘A good heart is better than all the heads in the world.’
It is not good enough to be a believer with a heart diseased by spiritual ailments. The fear of Allah (SWT) should be the flagship of a believer’s heart. Piety can be expressed in one’s relationship with Allah (SWT) through sincere worship. It would be hypocritical of the heart of a believer if his thoughts, words and actions contradict the fundamental principles of the faith he claims to profess.
Islam requires a believer’s heart to give truth to destiny (good or bad). Without unnecessarily being nervous, a believing heart accepts all matters in good faith; entrusting his future in all matters to Allah (SWT). Of course, only a disbeliever’s heart worries about things it cannot change. As believers, let’s subdue our hearts to accept things which fate imposes on us. Let us, by the same token, love people whom fate brought us together with especially the vulnerable class of citizens including the economically, physically and mentally disadvantaged. Through this, life would be worth living for everyone.
As believers, let us use our good heart to love others. With a good heart, a believer does as much good as he could to as many people as he could. A heart that is devoid of charity, or at least goodwill for others, is a heart with the worst kind of trouble. It is not a believing heart that which is not free from hatred, jealousy and envy. A good and believing heart lacks space for anger, arrogance and cruelty.
As believers with good hearts, we must not lose our heads whenever we are provoked. Although we cannot avoid being provoked in the course of our interactions with others, Anger is a resentful state of the heart that leads to obnoxious speeches, abominable actions or hatred against others. Imam Bukhari reports on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that a man came to the Prophet (SAW) and requested to be admonished. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Do not get angry.” He (SAW) repeated this several times as a mark of emphasis. Similarly, Bukhari and Muslim both relate on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said, “The strong (or powerful) is not in fighting but in the ability to control self in moments of anger.”
Hatred is another ‘infection’ against which every believer must strive to protect his heart. Baihaqi relates that the Prophet (SAW) once announced to a man that he (the man) is of the people of paradise. When others asked the man about what constituted his good works, he replied saying, “I go to bed and wake up without a portion of hatred against anyone.” This brings us to the issue of those who rejoice at other people’s misfortune or enjoys making life difficult for others. Envy or malice is an ailment of the heart. Abu Daud relates that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Avoid envy because it consumes good works in the manner that fire consumes grasses (or firewood).” May Allah (SWT) guide and protect every good and believing heart from from falling prey to the plots of the sneaking whisperer who whispers evil in to the hearts of mankind, amin.
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