, while other parts were barren ground that held the water, which people used for watering and cultivation. The rain also fell upon another part consisting only of level plains that neither held water nor produced herbage. This is the likeness of one who gains understanding of Allah’s religion and benefits from what I have been sent with, and of one who pays it no heed and does not accept Allah’s guidance with which I have been sent.”

In the report narrated by Kumayl ibn Ziyād from ʿAlī, may Allah be pleased with him, he said:

“Hearts are vessels, and the best of them are those that retain the most.”

It has also reached us that one of the early generations said:

“Hearts are Allah’s vessels on His earth, and those dearest to Allah Most High are the tenderest and purest.”

This is a fine analogy. When the heart is tender and soft, it receives knowledge readily and easily; knowledge takes firm root within it, remains there, and has its effect. But when the heart is hard and coarse, receiving knowledge becomes difficult and arduous. Alongside this, the heart must be pure, clear, and sound, so that knowledge may flourish within it and bear good fruit. Otherwise, even if it receives knowledge, any impurity and corruption within it will spoil that knowledge. It is like weeds among crops: even if they do not prevent the seed from sprouting, they prevent it from flourishing and yielding good produce. This is clear to those with insight.

In summary, when the heart is employed in the service of truth, it has two aspects:

One aspect turns towards the truth. In this respect, the heart is called a vessel or a receptacle, for this necessarily implies something held and placed within it. This is a positive, affirmative attribute.

The other aspect turns away from falsehood. In this respect, the heart is described as pure and sound