Page 25 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

Heart, Wisdom and Intelligence

We already know that there are two different aspects of the human soul; the one inspiring
the evil, and wicked deeds, and the other guarding against every inculcation of evil. Wisdom
and non-wisdom are closely related to these two aspects of the soul. The Qur’an informs us that
the consequence of following whims and desires is non-wisdom. Adhering to the better side of
the soul, on the other hand, brings wisdom.
A person who becomes the slave of his wishes and desires and thus does not keep himself
occupied with the remembrance of Allah, very soon loses his faculty of wisdom. The Qur’an
refers to these people as “people devoid of wisdom.” (Al-Hashr, 14) At first sight, this may seen
incomprehensible. The majority of people take it for granted that everyone has wisdom,
constant and at the same level, never undergoing changes with time or circumstances. There is,
however, some confusion due to the interchangeable use of the concepts of intelligence and
wisdom. Contrary to the common conviction, intelligence and wisdom are quite different
concepts. Everyone can be intelligent, but wisdom is only possessed by those who have faith.
Knowing that following the wicked side of the soul leaves a man deprived of wisdom,
what should be the ways to acquire it? The answer is apparent: man attains wisdom when he
obeys his conscience, which inspires in him ways of hindering the evil of his soul.
Wisdom, as is referred in the Quran, is a spiritual tenet experienced in the soul. In more
than one verse there is an explicit reference to “the hearts that learn wisdom”. Accordingly, we
can plainly resolve that real wisdom is far different from intelligence, a mere function of the
brain. Wisdom is in the heart, in the soul of man. The Qur’an points to the fact that wisdom is
in the heart, and people devoid of wisdom are lacking in understanding solely because their
hearts are sealed:

Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts (and minds) may thus learn
wisdom and their ears may thus learn to hear? Truly, it is not their eyes that are blind,
but their hearts which are in their breasts.
(Al-Hajj, 46)

Many are the Jinns and men we have made for hell. They have hearts with which they
do not understand, eyes with which they do not see and ears with which they do not
hear. They are like cattle,- no, indeed, more misguided: for they are heedless (of
warning).
(Al-Araf, 179)

They prefer to be with (the women), who remain behind (at home): their hearts are
sealed and so they do not understand.
(Al-Tawba, 87)

And We cast a veil upon their hearts (and minds) lest they should understand the
Qur’an, and made them hard of hearing: when you commemorate your Lord and Him
alone in the Qur’an, they turn their backs, fleeing (from the Truth).
(Al-Isra, 46)

In the Qur’an it is stated that only the people who “have hearts” will take heed and have
faith.

Truly, in this is a Message for anyone who has a heart and understanding, or who
listens and earnestly witnesses (the truth).
(Qaf, 37)