Page 26 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

Therefore, the wisdom referred to in the Qur’an is directly related to the heart and the soul.
One point deserves mention here: wisdom is not constant; it varies. Intelligence, a function
of the brain, does not, however, change except in case of an injury or mental disease. Everyone
has a constant “IQ”. Wisdom, on the other hand, can increase or decrease, a feature closely
related to the strengthening of the soul and fear of Allah (taqwa). In this way, the individual
acquires a criterion by which to judge between right and wrong. This feature, which is an
entirely metaphysical one, is communicated to man in the following verse:
O you who believe! If you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion (to judge between
right and wrong), remove from you (all) evil (that may afflict) you, and forgive you: for
Allah is the Lord of grace unbounded.
(Al-Anfal, 29)

One who does not fear Allah is entirely deprived of this criterion to judge between right
and wrong. A person may be very intelligent; he may be an outstanding physicist, sociologist or
a “distinguished” person in society. He may have remarkable achievements to his credit.
However, if he has no conscience, he surely lacks the true spirit and thus, the true wisdom.
Being a renowned scientist, he may discover the mysteries of the human body. Still he does not
possess the spirit and the understanding to conceive of the Creator of that body. Rather than
expressing his astonishment at the marvels of creation and praising the Creator, he turns to
himself and praises himself for his discovery. This scientist is surely the one who has “taken as
his god his vain desire, and Allah has knowingly left him astray.”
However, as stated in Surat’al-Rad, the believers are “Those who believe, and whose
hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah ....for without doubt in the remembrance of
Allah hearts find satisfaction.”
(Al-Rad, 28)

The state of the hearts of unbelievers, on the other hand, is described in the following
verse:
Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil;
great is the penalty they (incur).
(Al-Baqara, 7)

And as for the Hypocrites, when they were told: “Come, fight in the way of Allah, or
(at least) drive (The foe from your city),” they said: “Had we known how to fight, we
should certainly have followed you.” They were that day nearer to unbelief than to
faith, saying with their lie what was not in their hearts, but Allah has full knowledge of
all they conceal.
(Al-Imran, 167)
An intelligent person can be lacking in understanding and the faculty of distinguishing

between right and wrong. He may devise an ingenious invention, he may be a good
businessman, or may excel in politics. In doing these, however, he totally lacks the awareness
of right and wrong. Though he is communicated with repeatedly, he remains blind and deaf to

the message of the Qur’an. This is a glaring manifestation of his lack of understanding.

“..Their hearts are sealed and so they do not understand” is an important statement in the
Qur’an, indicating the significance of the heart for understanding.