Written by: Qari Hanif Dar
In Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 4, Allah states:
"We have not placed two hearts in the chest of any man.”
However, some images found on Google show children with two hearts in their chests. If Allah created humans with one heart, then who created these exceptions?
This objection arises from interpreting Qur’anic verses outside of their proper context. When the Qur’an presents a concept, it lays down a general principle that applies to human nature and normal circumstances. In this verse, Allah is stating a general truth—that typically, a human body contains only one heart.
When Allah describes human physical and natural traits, He refers to the general norm. Out of billions of people, one or two exceptional cases do not invalidate these principles. For example, Allah says:
"Did We not give him two eyes?" (Surah Al-Balad: 8)
Now, if someone is born with one eye or is blind, does this negate the general principle? No—it is simply an exception, and exceptions do not undermine the rule.
Looking at the context of the verse clarifies that Allah is addressing a psychological and social matter rather than a physical one. In the same verse, Allah states:
"Your wives are not your mothers, and your adopted sons are not your real sons." (Surah Al-Ahzab: 4)
The verse is emphasizing that a person cannot maintain two conflicting relationships simultaneously—e.g., a woman cannot be considered both a wife and a mother to the same man. Similarly, an adopted son does not hold the status of a biological one. The "two hearts" symbolize conflicting social roles or identities, not literal anatomy.
Even if a person is born with two physical hearts, it does not mean they possess two personalities. Their identity, emotions, and consciousness remain unified. Thus, the verse is addressing psychological and social singularity, asserting that a person cannot hold two contradictory roles within himself.
As for children born with two hearts, these are extraordinary cases and part of Allah’s creation. Such anomalies serve as signs of His power and creative might. These exceptions do not challenge the Qur’an’s general principles but rather affirm the uniqueness of Allah’s creation.
Allah is the Creator of all and fashions His creation as He wills. Sometimes He brings forth exceptional creations to demonstrate His divine power and majesty. This objection is, in reality, an attempt by detractors to create doubt in the hearts of believers. Yet, the Qur’anic principles remain sound and undisputed.
This verse addresses psychological and social realities, not the literal number of hearts in a human chest. A person cannot simultaneously occupy two conflicting identities. Exceptional physical cases are part of Allah’s creative will and do not contradict the Qur’an’s universal principles.
❖ The Objection
In Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 4, Allah states:
"We have not placed two hearts in the chest of any man.”
However, some images found on Google show children with two hearts in their chests. If Allah created humans with one heart, then who created these exceptions?
❖ Response: Contextual Misunderstanding of the Qur'anic Verse
This objection arises from interpreting Qur’anic verses outside of their proper context. When the Qur’an presents a concept, it lays down a general principle that applies to human nature and normal circumstances. In this verse, Allah is stating a general truth—that typically, a human body contains only one heart.
❖ 1. General Principle and Exceptions
When Allah describes human physical and natural traits, He refers to the general norm. Out of billions of people, one or two exceptional cases do not invalidate these principles. For example, Allah says:
"Did We not give him two eyes?" (Surah Al-Balad: 8)
Now, if someone is born with one eye or is blind, does this negate the general principle? No—it is simply an exception, and exceptions do not undermine the rule.
❖ 2. Context and Purpose of the Verse
Looking at the context of the verse clarifies that Allah is addressing a psychological and social matter rather than a physical one. In the same verse, Allah states:
"Your wives are not your mothers, and your adopted sons are not your real sons." (Surah Al-Ahzab: 4)
The verse is emphasizing that a person cannot maintain two conflicting relationships simultaneously—e.g., a woman cannot be considered both a wife and a mother to the same man. Similarly, an adopted son does not hold the status of a biological one. The "two hearts" symbolize conflicting social roles or identities, not literal anatomy.
❖ 3. Two Hearts, Not Two Personalities
Even if a person is born with two physical hearts, it does not mean they possess two personalities. Their identity, emotions, and consciousness remain unified. Thus, the verse is addressing psychological and social singularity, asserting that a person cannot hold two contradictory roles within himself.
❖ 4. Exceptional Physical Conditions
As for children born with two hearts, these are extraordinary cases and part of Allah’s creation. Such anomalies serve as signs of His power and creative might. These exceptions do not challenge the Qur’an’s general principles but rather affirm the uniqueness of Allah’s creation.
❖ 5. The Power of Allah
Allah is the Creator of all and fashions His creation as He wills. Sometimes He brings forth exceptional creations to demonstrate His divine power and majesty. This objection is, in reality, an attempt by detractors to create doubt in the hearts of believers. Yet, the Qur’anic principles remain sound and undisputed.
✦ Conclusion
This verse addresses psychological and social realities, not the literal number of hearts in a human chest. A person cannot simultaneously occupy two conflicting identities. Exceptional physical cases are part of Allah’s creative will and do not contradict the Qur’an’s universal principles.
