Fatwa ID: 08022

Question:

Jazakallah Shaikh. A small question if you do not mind.

What is the real difference from a Quranic epistemology between fuad and qalb? Linguistically, it might make daleel towards the same?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer: The two words are different, although many times they are translated as “heart.” The root word قلب has various meanings. If it is put in different verb scales, the meaning can change.

However, in this context, qalb refers to the actual heart located in the chest—an organ of the body like the eyes and ears, as mentioned in the Quran:

“Say, ‘Tell me, if Allah takes away your hearing and your sight and sets a seal on your hearts, which god other than Allah can bring it back to you?’ See how We bring forth a variety of Verses, still they turn away.”

When it comes to fuad, this is the state connected to the qalb, where it senses and gives perception. The function of fuad is different from qalb, but they work together:

“And the heart of the mother of Musa became restless; indeed, she was about to disclose this (the real facts about Musa), had We not strengthened her heart to remain among those who have firm belief (in Allah’s promise).”

Some linguists say the meaning is the same and there is no difference.

Hope this answers the question.Understanding Qalb and Fuad in Islamic Epistemology

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by: Maulana Abdoullah Limvoonheek Checked and approved by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham

Reference:

Surah An’aam Ayah 46 قُلۡ اَرَءَيۡتُمۡ اِنۡ اَخَذَ اللّٰهُ سَمۡعَكُمۡ وَ اَبۡصَارَكُمۡ وَخَتَمَ عَلٰى قُلُوۡبِكُمۡ مَّنۡ اِلٰـهٌ غَيۡرُ اللّٰهِ يَاۡتِيۡكُمۡ بِهٖ ؕ اُنْظُرۡ كَيۡفَ نُصَرِّفُ الۡاٰيٰتِ ثُمَّ هُمۡ يَصۡدِفُوۡنَ

Surah Qasas Ayah 10 وَاَصۡبَحَ فُؤَادُ اُمِّ مُوۡسٰى فٰرِغًا‌ ؕ اِنۡ كَادَتۡ لَـتُبۡدِىۡ بِهٖ لَوۡلَاۤ اَنۡ رَّبَطۡنَا عَلٰى قَلۡبِهَا لِتَكُوۡنَ مِنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ