Why does the Quran emphasize the ear, eye, and heart as tools for guidance?

The Holy Quran, the eternal word of Allah, has consistently emphasized the crucial role and significance of human senses and perceptive faculties in the path of guidance and the recognition of truth. Among these tools, the ear (hearing), the eye (sight), and the heart (intellect/inner being, often referred to as 'fu'ad' or 'qalb') hold a special place. This is because these three are considered the primary channels for receiving information and processing it to achieve deep understanding and insight. The Quran's emphasis on these three organs demonstrates a profound divine insight into the mechanism of perception and knowledge within the human being. Allah Almighty has bestowed these tools upon humanity so that through them, individuals may comprehend the signs of His Oneness and power in the universe and within themselves, thereby being guided towards faith and truth. **The Ear (Sam' - Hearing): The Gateway to Divine Word and Audible Truths** The ear is perhaps the most fundamental tool for receiving divine revelation and the word of Allah. The Quran repeatedly gives glad tidings to those who have an attentive ear and listen to the word of truth. This listening is not merely a physical act; it signifies listening with one's whole being, contemplating and reflecting upon what is heard, and ultimately acting upon it. The divine word, whether in the form of Quranic verses or through the teachings of the Prophets, initially enters the mind through the ear. The improper use of this gift, or in other words, the refusal to accept the heard truth, is one of the primary reasons for deviation. The Quran speaks of those who 'have ears but do not hear,' meaning they turn away from listening to the word of truth or, after hearing, rebel against it. This implies a spiritual deafness, not merely a physical inability. The Quran's emphasis on the ear highlights the importance of humanity's direct connection with the divine message and its responsibility in responding to the truth it hears. Through the ear, individuals can heed wise counsel, recited verses, and the words of prophets, thereby discovering the correct path of life. Many religious truths are transmitted through listening, learning, and dialogue, and the ear plays an irreplaceable role in this process. **The Eye (Basar - Sight): A Window to the World and Signs of Existence** The eye is the instrument for seeing and observing the creation; a world full of signs and proofs of divine grandeur. From the alternation of night and day, the movement of stars, the order of nature, the diversity of creatures, to the complexities of the human body – all are signs that Allah has placed for those with insight. The Quran invites humans to travel through the earth and reflect upon creation so that by observing these proofs, they may grasp the infinite power, wisdom, and knowledge of the Creator. However, this seeing also transcends a simple physical act; seeing with insight means looking with contemplation and reflection, so that one moves from the superficial appearance of things to their depth and reality. Those who use their eyes only for observing appearances and material pleasures, neglecting the divine signs, are essentially spiritually blind, even if they possess physical sight. The Quran states, 'It is not the eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts.' This verse clearly indicates that true vision is the vision of the heart, an inner insight through which one can discern truths. The proper use of the eye helps individuals learn from the wonders of creation, recognize the Creator's majesty, and follow the path of guidance through empirical observation of divine signs. **The Heart (Fu'ad/Qalb): The Center of Understanding, Perception, and Faith** From the Quran's perspective, the heart (fu'ad/qalb) is not merely a physical organ but the center of perception, understanding, thought, decision-making, will, emotions, and faith. This is where the light of guidance shines, and it is through the heart that humans comprehend truths and make choices. The ear and eye collect information, but it is the heart that processes this information, reflects upon it, and ultimately leads to the acceptance or rejection of truth. If the heart is sound and prepared to receive, what is heard through the ear and seen through the eye will transform into faith and conviction. However, if the heart is diseased, heedless, or sealed, even hearing the clearest verses and seeing the most evident signs will be futile. The Quran refers to a 'sound heart' (Qalb-e Saleem) as a condition for salvation and reprimands those whose hearts are diseased or sealed. The heart is where wisdom and divine light reside, and true insight originates from it. Real guidance occurs when sensory information (from the ear and eye) is analyzed within the heart and transformed into insight and awareness. Therefore, the heart plays a pivotal role in the process of guidance; it is where selection, analysis, and deep understanding occur, and where intentions and wills are formed. These organs (ear, eye, heart) work in complete harmony. The ear receives divine messages, the eye observes divine signs in the world, and the heart internalizes this information, understands it, and interacts with it to lead to faith and righteous action. Thus, maintaining the health of these three tools and using them correctly is the key to achieving guidance and eternal salvation.