Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 119
119 and therefore receives knowledge either by way of manifest revelation, or by means of hidden revelation. It could also be said that the brain is a vizier and since the task of a vizier is to devise plans, therefore, the brain remains engaged in formulating proposals, reflecting on the necessary means, weighing arguments and producing results. In this, the heart has no part. For God Almighty has vested the heart with the faculty of sense. For example, an ant will find its way at once to a location where there is something sweet, although it is moved by no argument which proves that there is something sweet to be found in that location. On the contrary, God Almighty has granted the ant an instinct, which guides it to the relevant location. Likewise, the heart is similar to an ant, because like an ant, it too possesses the same faculty of sense which guides it. The heart does not require argumentation and proofs, nor does it have a need to analyse facts in order to extract results. Notwithstanding that fact, the brain does, nonetheless, provide the heart with these means and resources anyway. The Heart in Arabic The word qalb, which is used for ‘heart’ in Arabic, has two meanings. Firstly, there is the apparent and physical meaning, and then there is the spiritual mean- ing. The apparent meaning of qalb is one of ‘turning about’. Since it is the heart that causes the circulation of blood in our bodies, it is referred to as qalb in Ara- bic. In the spiritual sense, this word implies that any progress an individual hopes to attain in terms of spirituality can only be attained through the power of the heart. Just as the circulation of blood, which is absolutely critical in sustaining human life, is powered by the heart or qalb , in the same manner, all forms of spir- itual advancement are dependent on the power of the heart. The Nature of the Heart and Brain There are certain ignorant philosophers in this day and age, who attribute all positive advancement to the brain. However, such people do not realise that the brain only possesses the ability to weigh arguments and evidence. Although it is the brain that possesses the faculty of reflection and retention, the heart possesses a quality which moves it to the position of a chief. The mind follows a forced, mechanical process, while the heart is free of this and functions in an unforced, natural way. It is for this reason that the heart holds an affinity with the Lord of