The Quran describes the heart in many ways: sound, repentant, at rest, reverent and humble, but also hardened, diseased, sealed, blind and heedless. Below are thirteen of these descriptions, each with its verse, as a way to reflect on the state of our own hearts and ask Allah to keep them sound.
Key Takeaways
- In the Quran, the heart is the seat of understanding, faith and intention, not only emotion.
- Six praiseworthy hearts include the sound heart (26:89), the heart at rest through remembrance (13:28) and the heart that returns in repentance (50:33).
- Seven blameworthy hearts include the hardened heart (2:74), the diseased heart (2:10) and the heart made heedless of remembrance (18:28).
- Scholars have grouped and counted the Quran's descriptions of the heart in different ways, so this list is a study aid rather than a fixed classification.
- The Quran also teaches a dua asking Allah not to let our hearts deviate after guidance (Aal-Imran 3:8).
The Heart in the Quran
In the Quran, the heart (qalb) is where understanding, belief and sincerity live. It can be alive or dead, soft or hard, open or sealed. Reflecting on these descriptions helps us check our own state and work on it. The translations below are Sahih International, and each verse is linked so you can read it in full.
Six Hearts to Strive For
| # | Heart | Verse |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The sound heart (qalb salim) | "But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart" (Ash-Shu'ara, 26:89) |
| 2 | The heart that returns in repentance (qalb munib) | "Who feared the Most Merciful in the unseen and came with a heart returning [in repentance]" (Qaf, 50:33) |
| 3 | The heart at rest | "Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured" (Ar-Ra'd, 13:28) |
| 4 | The reverent heart | "The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful" (Al-Anfal, 8:2) |
| 5 | The pious heart | "And whoever honors the symbols [i.e., rites] of Allah, indeed, it is from the piety of hearts" (Al-Hajj, 22:32) |
| 6 | The humbly submitting heart | "...believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it" (Al-Hajj, 22:54) |
Seven Hearts to Guard Against
| # | Heart | Verse |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | The hardened heart | "Then your hearts became hardened after that, being like stones or even harder" (Al-Baqarah, 2:74) |
| 8 | The diseased heart | "In their hearts is disease, so Allah has increased their disease" (Al-Baqarah, 2:10) |
| 9 | The sealed heart | "Allah has set a seal upon their hearts and upon their hearing" (Al-Baqarah, 2:7) |
| 10 | The blind heart | "For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts" (Al-Hajj, 22:46) |
| 11 | The sinful heart | "And do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it, his heart is indeed sinful" (Al-Baqarah, 2:283) |
| 12 | The heedless heart | "...and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire" (Al-Kahf, 18:28) |
| 13 | The arrogant heart | "Thus does Allah seal over every heart [belonging to] an arrogant tyrant" (Ghafir, 40:35) |
Some of these verses describe specific people or events in their original context, so reading them with reliable tafsir gives the fullest picture. The point for us is reflection, not labelling others.
What Softens and Protects the Heart
- Remembrance of Allah, which the Quran directly links to hearts being at rest (13:28).
- Returning to Allah in repentance after mistakes, rather than letting them pile up.
- Reading the Quran with attention, as our guide to concentrating while reading the Quran explains.
- Growing in taqwa, explained in our guide to the meaning of taqwa.
- Good company and good deeds, which keep the heart turned towards Allah.
A Dua for the Heart
The Quran teaches a supplication for keeping the heart steady: "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower" (Aal-Imran, 3:8, Sahih International). Understanding the Arabic behind these descriptions deepens reflection, as our guide to understanding the Quran word by word shows.
Study the Quran's Meanings
Our Tafseer course explores these verses in context, and our Quran Translation course teaches their meaning word by word, both one-to-one. You can book a free trial lesson with no card required, or call +44 7848 496686.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with a Free Trial, No Card Needed
Meet your teacher in a real, live lesson and see how it feels, with no commitment either way. Or WhatsApp us on +44 7848 496686 with any questions first.
Keep Reading
Islamic Lifestyle
Repentance and Forgiveness in the Quran
What the Quran and authentic Sunnah say about repentance, the steps of sincere tawbah, and Sayyid al-Istighfar, the best dua for forgiveness.
Read more →
Islamic Lifestyle
The Manners of Visiting a Mosque
A simple guide to mosque etiquette from the Quran and authentic Sunnah, for first-time visitors, children and regulars alike.
Read more →
Islamic Lifestyle
Hospitality in Islam: Honouring Guests the Prophetic Way
The Quran and Sunnah on welcoming guests, from the example of Ibrahim to the Prophet's guidance for hosts and guests alike.
Read more →