The Forelock and the Holy Quran (science)

Decoding the verses of the Holy Quran 

Abu Jahl (Amr ibn Hisham) was a staunch opponent of Islam during the early days of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mission. He played a significant role in persecuting Muslims and attempting to suppress the spread of Islam in Mecca. Abu Jahl was the commander of the Quraysh forces in the Battle of Badr, which took place in 624 CE. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“But no! If he (Abu Jahl) does not desist, We will certainly drag him by the forelock a lying, sinful forelock”

Chapter 96 (Surah Al-Alaq) verse 15-16

But what does the Holy Quran say about the forelock? What is the significance of “catching him by the forelock”? Let’s decipher this verse of the Holy Quran.

TheForelock

Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

“A servant is not struck by worry or grief but let him say, ‘O Allah, I am Your servant, the son of Your servant, the son of Your maidservant. My forelock is in Your hand (you have total mastery over me), Your decision over me has passed, and Your decree upon me is in justice…..” [1]

Although it may sound dramatic, we now understand that the forelock, which is concealed beneath the upper portion of the forehead, serves as the control center. It is crucial for guiding and managing human behavior.

The human brain contains four major lobes which are:

1. Frontal lobe

2. Occipital lobe

3. Temporal lobe

4. Parietal lobe.

The forelock refers to the frontal lobe particularly what we call the prefrontal cortex. This area, right behind our forehead, is a powerhouse in the brain. It is crucial in decision making, planning, motivation, understanding the society norms, controlling impulses and making moral decisions.

So, yes, all the complex stuff that makes us “us” happens here.

1. Musnad Aḥmad 3712

The frontal lobe

The frontal lobe is divided into 3 major areas defined by their anatomy and function. They are the primary motor cortex, the supplemental and premotor cortex, and the prefrontal cortex. 

The Prefrontal cortex 

It is situated right behind the forehead and is the biggest portion of the brain’s frontal lobe. The way it functions is related to the personality traits of the individual. Additionally, it impacts an individual’s initiative and judgment.

Frontal Lobe Syndrome

A person with an injury to the frontal lobes in the brain can look perfectly normal but really struggle. The frontal lobes are often injured in trauma. Injuries to the front part of the brain can cause problems with higher-level thinking and behavior and can lead to personality changes. It’s important to understand the issues and to get treatment because injuries to the frontal lobe of the brain can cause a lot of difficulty with jobs and relationships. Frontal lobe injury can cause you to be impulsive and disinhibited.We all think things that we probably shouldn’t say out loud and we don’t say them because we’re able to inhibit. But a frontal lobe injury makes it much more difficult to inhibit things. A frontal lobe injury also makes it more likely that somebody’s going to do risky and unsafe behaviors. Often people with the frontal lobe injury don’t get other people’s emotions.

EEG (electro-encephalograph) studies reveal that animals and humans exposed to damage to the frontal lobe hemispheres experience mental deficiencies (The Frontal Lobe Syndrome). Additionally, it was found that any frontal lobe lesion alters the affected person’s normal behavior. In certain instances, this may result in criminal activity as well as a sharp decline in moral principles, memory, and intellectual problem-solving skills.

Sinful Forehead 

So, now what is meant by sinful forehead? Neuroscience has shown as that when people lie or decide to engage in questionable behavior, the brain cells in their prefrontal cortex work harder. Pathological liars have been shown to have more white matter and less grey matter in the prefrontal cortex of their brain than other people. Although several brain areas appear to play a role in deception, the most consistent finding across studies is that activity n the prefrontal cortex increases when people lie.

“But no! If he (Abu Jahl) does not desist, We will certainly drag him by the forelock a lying, sinful forelock”. The Glorious Qur’an describes the forelock of Abu Jahl as lying and sinful. It is because of this that it deserves burning in Hell.

You can check more: “using EEG and machine learning to perform lie detection”

The dua of Prophet Muhammad 

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to say in his supplication:

“O Allah, I am Your servant, son of Your servant, son of Your maidservant, my forelock is in Your hand (i.e. You have total control over it), Your command over me is forever executed, and Your decree over me is just.” [2]

2. Hisn al-Muslim 120

The frontal lobe in animals

Because this location also serves as the control center for an animal’s motions, the scientists found that the animal equivalent of this organ is small and weak. In terms of architecture and functionality, it differs from its animal equivalent in that the areas in charge of behavior and speech are more developed and noticeable.

When we prostate

What are the Muslims symbolizing when they prostrate? The forelock serves as the center of control, and its prostration for Allah is an expression of Allah’s intelligent law. It’s possible that a forelock that bows down to Allah and moral behavior are related. Because Allah says:

“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do”.

Chapter 29 (Surah Al-Ankaboot) verse 45

Summary

The frontal lobe of the brain controls a number of important functions, including emotions, self-control, movement, language, and rational thought. Frontal lobe damage may affect any of these functions.

 

My final words

The glorious Quran says:

“We will show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that this ˹Quran˺ is the

truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is a Witness over all things?”

– Chapter 41 (Surah Fussilat ) verse 53 

Some people require only one sign, while others require numerous signs to embrace the truth. On the other side, there are others who, even after receiving thousands of indications, refuse to embrace the reality. The Quran describes these persons as:

“They are ˹wilfully˺ deaf, dumb, and blind, so they will never return ˹to the Right Path˺.”
– Chapter 2 (Surah Al-Baqarah) verse 18

The Bible says the same thing:

“Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.”
– Gospel of Matthew verse 13 of chapter 13 

So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?

My Blogs 

Hopefully, that was helpful to you and will assist you in strengthening your belief. You can also visit my other blogs:

What does Quran says about the dynamic motion of the Earth?

What does the Quran say about the moon?

What does Quran say about the rise in sea level?

Contact Me

writer= Ayhian Ali

email: ayhianali@gmail.com