Khatm ul-Qalb: Closing of One's Heart and Mind?

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Question:
With reference to Islam/Quran:

What is the meaning of the term "Closing of one's Mind and Heart" and when/why does this happen? Are "Closing of Mind" and "Closing of the Heart" two separate terms? What is their meaning? Is "Closing of Mind" integrated with the "Closing of the Heart" and if one of them occurs the other MUST also occur or are these two separate terms and have NOTHING to do with each other?
Does "Closing of one's Mind and Heart" lead to one's "Khatama-Quloob"?

Malik Shahid Ahsen
Pakistan

Answer:

Closing one’s mind or heart is a literal expression not a term. This term has not been used in the Holy Qur'an as such. The Holy Qur'an has only depicted or portrayed such behavior. 'Closing one's mind' indicates one's refusal even to listen to the arguments presented in favor of the matter which he is denying. This behavior is developed either because of the fact that someone could not understand what is being presented or because of his arrogance and pride. This continual denial in spite of being convinced of the truth of the message leads to Khatm-ul-Qalb.

Khatm means to seal something that nothing can pass into it. Khatm-ul-Qalb does not mean that someone is born incapable of turning to the truth. Those whose hearts have been sealed can be the best people in affairs of their worldly interest. However, they are the people, who have been found completely lacking in submission to the Truth. The Holy Qur'an uses the term for those who persistently reject its message even after they are convinced of its truth. 'Khatm al-Quloob' is in fact God's punishment for these people for their persistent denial of the Truth and for their insistence on what they have understood to be falsehood. These rejecter do not insist on this denial because the message is not well argued or the Messenger is not able to make it clear to them rather they do so because of their haughtiness and arrogance. Now they are not left with the abilities to see the light no matter how brightly lit.

The Holy Qur'an categorically asserts that the hearts of people are sealed only because of their transgressions. It says:

"And there came to them Messengers with manifest signs. But these people were not to believe as they had been denying (every truth) before. Thus does the Almighty seal the hearts of the rejecters. We did not find most of them true in their promises and indeed We found most of them evil." (Al-Aa`raaf 7: 101 - 103)

It further says:

"Because of their breaking of promises, their denying of the signs of the Almighty, and their killing of the Prophets wrongfully, and their saying that their hearts are locked; but the Almighty has sealed their hearts because of their denial so don't believe but a few of them."  (Al-Nisaa 4:155)

The above verses clearly tell us that the situation 'Khatm al-quloob' is the result of continuous arrogance and pride.

I hope this helps.
Tariq Mahmood Hashmi
December 25, 2002

Taken with thanks from www.understanding-islam.org

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