Smith says about emotional intelligence:Įmotional and social intelligence are essential elements of the aql because they teach us how to help, guide, and engage with everyone around us. It was this ability to empathize that allowed him to spread Islam and build bonds of trust and compassion. He was able to discern the appropriate reactions and instructions required because he understood that people and communities were inherently idiosyncratic. In a critical study of his life, you will quickly observe that he spoke with and advised people depending on the individual in question, and this allowed people to be exceptionally receptive towards him. The Prophet (PBUH) was perfect in all his mannerisms and his interactions with people. The section on emotional intelligence is seamlessly presented through vignettes of the Prophet’s (PBUH) interpersonal relationships, and scientific data and studies in contemporary psychology. As Smith has reiterated throughout his book, there are multiple levels and types of intelligence, and they are all meticulously interlinked.Įmotional and moral intelligence are the catalysts for change within ourselves and our communities. However, the following sections on emotional and moral intelligence are undoubtedly the most memorable. Rationality is the strongest ally to belief in Allah and His Prophet.” On the contrary, the immaterial soul was of divine origin and rationality was its defining attribute. Whereas western perspectives opine that these are disparate concepts, Shakyh Smith states: Most notably, he elucidates on the relationship between the intellect, logic, rationality, and religion. The aql is a light that Allah has created and it is what guides us to Him. With these theories, and through emotive narratives of Shaykh Smith’s own personal stories sitting amongst scholars, the role of the intellect becomes unambiguous. We are also introduced to theories of the intellect by Al Ghazali and Muhasibi. Sections two and three covers emotional and moral intelligence whilst section four concludes the book with understanding how to use these intellects as tools to effect deep change. Section one discusses the varying perspectives of the aql in both Islamic and western tradition. Yet, how can we emulate someone we do not love? How can we love someone we do not truly and intimately know? Smith himself states that this book attempts to uncover the very core of his being, his message, and his understanding of those around him. In order to strive towards Ihsan or perfection in our faith, we were instructed to emulate the actions of the Prophet (PBUH). In addition to belief in divine revelation, our faith hinges on love for the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). It is not a prosaic seerah but rather a critical study of the man considered the most intelligent by Muslim scholars. This is precisely what “With Heart in Mind” achieves. I seek to not simply recite facts verbatim, but rather to build a relationship with the Prophet (PBUH). Having read a range of seerahs, I have always leaned towards those providing more analysis as opposed to, a mundane retelling of historical facts. According to Smith, there are multiple types of intellects and the Prophet (PBUH) possessed them all. This is a unique work of literature that is paramount for Muslims to read and understand on a profound level. In this timely book, Smith seeks to expound on the nature of the aql, its primary function which is to know God and lead others towards him, its place in Islamic scholarship, as well as its impact on Muslims, and how to lead towards radical change. Rather, according to Islam and its prophetic model, they are inextricably bound. The study concludes by stating that the premise for this is that intelligent people often believe that religious beliefs are irrational and not anchored in science, and that they “know better.” Smith tells us that this conclusion is what has ultimately led him to write this book.Ĭontrary to popular western belief, theism and intelligence are not two divergent entities. He cites a study that shows that the more intelligent people become, it is more likely their religiosity will decrease.
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