The Real Meaning of "Fu'ad" (فؤاد) in Islam

Fu'ad in listening is a simple word, but within it an entire world is dwelling.

In the books of lexicon its meanings have been taken from fire as well. Its meaning is: burning from the heat of something, becoming afflicted in some burning/scorching, and becoming restless for something. This is not only the burning of the body, this is the yearning/pining of the soul.

When fire burns something then after burning a particular smell comes. That smell tells that inside something is moving, inside something is alive. In Urdu poetry it has been said: "In the fire of sorrow the heart is roasted perhaps, after a long time the smell of roasted meat is like this." That is, in the fire of sorrow the heart burns and becomes cooked and then leaves behind such a fragrance which is a sign of ripeness. This is the poetic meaning of Fu'ad.

For the soul, Fu'ad is such a state in which the heart never gets peace. It yearns in separation from its Lord. It keeps asking itself that what have I done for my Lord's pleasure? What message have I left in the world? In what work did I engage my time? This is the burning which never ends and this very restlessness propels the human being forward.

⚠️ But if this state departs from the heart then what will happen? The Qur'an has given a very harsh answer to this: "ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُم فَهِيَ كَالْحِجَارَةِ" That is, then your hearts became hard and they became like stones. Here the word "Qasat" means the softness of the heart is finished/ended. And the matter does not stop here, Allah says "أَوْ أَشَدُّ" that is "or even more hard." When the heart becomes stone then it can go further into depth and the human can lose themselves.

The one who places trust in Allah, he does not end this restlessness but gives it direction. He guides this burning and gives purpose to this yearning. The real restlessness of Fu'ad is this: what have I done for my Lord? What goodness have I spread in the world? These are the questions which keep every truthful heart awake all night.

The secret to keeping Fu'ad alive is in remembrance. To keep the remembrance of Allah dwelling in the heart, to remain engaged in His work, to supplicate to Him that He grants us the ability to do righteous deeds—and righteous deeds are those through which He becomes pleased. To see Allah in every happiness and to ask help from Him in every difficulty. Through this the yearning of the heart can be given purpose and meaning.

If it is summarized then the meaning of Fu'ad is this: a burning heart which yearns for Allah. It is this very yearning which keeps the human being alive.

"The journey continues from the Living to the Ever-Living."