The Quran and the function of the human heart
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In the 7th century the function of the human brain was hardly understood. Today it's common knowledge functions such as thought and cognition take place in the human brain. In ancient times people did not accredit the human brain with such functions but attributed it to the human heart. As we know, the human heart is an organ that serves the function to circulate blood inside the human body. It has no cognitive functions nor is it capable of thought.
Now let's see what Quran tells about this. The first thing we can conclude about the Quran is that it nowhere mentions the human brain. Not one single verse speaks about it, instead we find many verses speaking about the heart. Here are a few examples
2.9. Fain would they deceive Allah and those who believe, but they only deceive
themselves, and realise not!
2.10. In their hearts is a disease; and Allah has increased their disease And
grievous is the penalty they , because they are false .=> Quran is stating disbelief is caused by a heart disease of doubt and hypocrisy
23.62. On no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear before Us is a
record which clearly shows the truth they will never be wronged.
23.63. But their hearts are in confused ignorance of this; and there are, besides
that, deeds of theirs, which they will to do,-=> Quran is stating hearts can be confused and ignorant
26.200. Thus have We caused doubt to enter the hearts of the sinners.
26.201. They will not believe in it until they see the grievous Penalty;=> Quran is stating hearts can be in doubt
7.43 And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury;
=> Quran is stating the heart can have a sense of injury
41.5 They say "Our hearts are under veils, from that to which thou
dost invite us, and in our ears in a deafness, and between us and thee is a
screen so do thou ; for us, we shall do "=> Quran is stating heart can be blinded (from perception)
9.77 So He hath put as a consequence hypocrisy into their hearts, till
the Day, whereon they shall meet Him because they broke their covenant with
Allah, and because they lied .=> Quran is stating the heart can be afflicted with hypocrisy
Of course all of these are contradicting the scientific facts about the human organ called the heart. In defense many muslims claim these verses are intended metaphorically and shouldnt be interpreted literally. Well then let's look a little further to see if this argument of metaphorical understanding is true or not
7.179. Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell They have hearts
wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith
they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided for they are heedless
.=> Quran explicitly states the hearts are used to understand, just like eyes are used to see and ears are used to hear. There is no margin for metaphor here.
5.44 among those who say "We believe" with their lips but whose hearts have never believed;
=> Again leaving no margin for metaphors. The heart is accredited with believing or not believing what one expresses.
From all of this we can conclude the God in Quran is totally unaware the brain is responsible for thought, emotion, understanding, cognition but instead attributes these functions to the human heart. This is fully contradicting a divine origin. It is evidence the author of Quran had no understanding of the human brain and confused it with the human heart.
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Peace runninglikezebras.
You sayIn the 7th century the function of the human brain was hardly understood,then you go on to claim that
In ancient times people did not accredit the human brain with such functions but attributed it to the human heart.
Where is your evidence for this?
Even today ,Science is only starting to know a little about both the brain and the heart.
On the other hand Qoran has never claimed you do the thinking with your heart?, However
Check your heart. It has a function. Your brain is connected to your heart!!!!
Why do I say that? GOD has mentioned the word "heart" at least 110 times in Quran !!!
Many are using their "brains" but are forgetting to also use their "hearts?
Who are more evil than those who are reminded of their Lord's proofs, then disregard them, without realizing what they are doing. Consequently, we place shields on their hearts to prevent them from understanding it (the Quran), and deafness in their ears. Thus, no matter what you do to guide them, they can never ever be guided.
We learn from the research that communication between the heart and brain is actually a dynamic, ongoing, two-way dialogue, with each organ continuously influencing the others function.
Scientists also believe that the heart has its own "brain" - an intrinsic nervous system! It's not clear what it does or if it is subservient to the higher brain. But it is clear that it is there. The Qoran emphases the importance of using our hearts (3923; 5716). One such verse states
Is it not time for those who believed to open up their hearts for God's message, and the truth that is revealed herein? They should not be like the followers of previous scriptures whose hearts became hardened with time and, consequently, many of them turned wicked.Science had found that the heart does impact the brain's thinking capability, and does also feed the brain thoughts and feelings that would control the perspective of the person.
Another Qoran verse statesThe true believers are those whose hearts tremble when God is mentioned, and when His revelations are recited to them, their faith is strengthened, and they trust in their Lord.
Our ability to hear and act on the information being sent from the heart, can make the difference in whether we experience life as a series of stressful events or one that's rich in quality.
The heart provides information that can help us eliminate the mental and emotional drain caused by confusion, stress, overwhelm, anxiety and frustration. Hence, the guiding of our heart is so critical (38; 6125; 6411) ! One such verse states
Nothing happens to you except in accordance with God's will. Anyone who believes in God, He will guide his heart. God is fully aware of all things.
Use your hearts folks do not be like these
Some of them listen to you, but we place veils on their hearts to prevent them from understanding, and deafness in their ears. Thus, no matter what kind of proof they see, they cannot believe. Thus, when they come to argue with you, the disbelievers say, "These are tales from the past.
Yes ,Qoran needs the heart and brain.
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
Peace runninglikezebras.
You sayIn the 7th century the function of the human brain was hardly understood,then you go on to claim that
In ancient times people did not accredit the human brain with such functions but attributed it to the human heart.
Where is your evidence for this?
See eg https//web.stanford.edu/class/history13/earlysciencelab/body/brainpages/brain.html
Yes ,Qoran needs the heart and brain.
GOD bless you.
Peace.Maybe it does, but you still can't deny Quran totally ignored the human brain and accredits everything to the heart. This understanding is by all means outdated and typical for 7th century understanding.
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Peace runninglikezebras.
They did not understand the functions of both,the brain and the heart. Full stop.
Neither do we at the present ,especially the complex relationship of both the brain and the heart.We are only starting to find out these two complex organs and their true functions on how our emotions are run by both?
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
Peace runninglikezebras.
They did not understand the functions of both,the brain and the heart. Full stop.
Neither do we at the present ,especially the complex relationship of both the brain and the heart.We are only starting to find out these two complex organs and their true functions on how our emotions are run by both?
GOD bless you.
Peace.If you still believe your heart is responsible for emotion there is little I can say to you but "good luck with that".
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Peace runninglikezebras.
I thought you believe in Science as well. Do you?
https//www.heartmath.org/programs/emwave-self-regulation-technology-theoretical-basis/
Well. Good luck to you as well.
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
For those of you who may not have the time to read a link let me quote the following
The Intelligent Heart
Many of the changes in bodily function that occur during the coherence state revolve around changes in the heart?s pattern of activity. While the heart is certainly a remarkable pump, interestingly, it is only relatively recently in the course of human history?around the past three centuries or so?that the heart?s function has been defined (by Western scientific thought) as only that of pumping blood. Historically, in almost every culture of the world, the heart was ascribed a far more multifaceted role in the human system, being regarded as a source of wisdom, spiritual insight, thought, and emotion. Intriguingly, scientific research over the past several decades has begun to provide evidence that many of these long-surviving associations may well be more than simply metaphorical. These developments have led science to once again to revise and expand its understanding of the heart and the role of this amazing organ.In the new field of neurocardiology, for example, scientists have discovered that the heart possesses its own intrinsic nervous system?a network of nerves so functionally sophisticated as to earn the description of a ?heart brain.? Containing over 40,000 neurons, this ?little brain? gives the heart the ability to independently sense, process information, make decisions, and even to demonstrate a type of learning and memory. In essence, it appears that the heart is truly an intelligent system. Research has also revealed that the heart is a hormonal gland, manufacturing and secreting numerous hormones and neurotransmitters that profoundly affect brain and body function. Among the hormones the heart produces is oxytocin?well known as the ?love? or ?bonding hormone.? Science has only begun to understand the effects of the electromagnetic fields produced by the heart, but there is evidence that the information contained in the heart?s powerful field may play a vital synchronizing role in the human body?and that it may affect others around us as well.
Research has also shown that the heart is a key component of the emotional system. Scientists now understand that the heart not only responds to emotion, but that the signals generated by its rhythmic activity actually play a major part in determining the quality of our emotional experience from moment to moment. As described next, these heart signals also profoundly impact perception and cognitive function by virtue of the heart?s extensive communication network with the brain. Finally, rigorous electrophysiological studies conducted at the HeartMath Institute have even indicated that the heart appears to play a key role in intuition. Although there is much yet to be understood, it appears that the age-old associations of the heart with thought, feeling, and insight may indeed have a basis in science.
GOD bless.
Peace. -
rlz, what happened? It seems you have lost the plot, i.e. aql/reason.
From all of this we can conclude the God in Quran is totally unaware the brain is responsible for thought, emotion, understanding, cognition but instead attributes these functions to the human heart. This is fully contradicting a divine origin. It is evidence the author of Quran had no understanding of the human brain and confused it with the human heart.
You are only presenting one part of the story, then claiming you have a sound argument. Have you heard of selective presentation of information?
What about the other words in Quran that relate to thinking, have you bothered to research any of those?
There is also the famous verses 9615-16 which refute your theory.
http//corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=96&verse=15#(96151)An interesting finding on usage of heart/qalb in Quran here
http//www.quran434.com/wife-beating-islam.html
section 1, part 16
