What does it mean for skin to shiver and hearts to soften in Quran 39:23?

According to the tafsir of Ibn Kathir, this describes the ideal believer's response to the Quran. The shivering of the skin comes from the fear and awe of Allah's majesty and His warnings, which is then followed by the heart and skin softening into a state of tranquility, hope, and receptivity to His remembrance.

Is the softening of the heart a sign of guidance in Islam?

Yes, Quran 39:23 explicitly states, 'That is the guidance of Allah.' Classical commentators explain that this balanced reaction—moving from awe to tranquility—is the characteristic of those whom Allah has guided. It demonstrates a heart that is alive, reverent, and receptive to divine truth.

How can one achieve a soft heart according to Islam?

The primary method for softening the heart is the remembrance of Allah (dhikr), particularly through engaging with the Quran as mentioned in 39:23. Scholars like Ibn al-Qayyim also emphasize istighfar (seeking forgiveness) and reducing excessive talk about worldly matters as key practices to polish the heart and prevent it from hardening.

Softening of Hearts (Līn al-Qulūb) in Islam

touches hearts

Explore Verses Related to touches hearts

🕋Az-Zumar39:23

At a Glance

According to classical Islamic scholarship, the concept of the heart 'touching' or softening (Līn al-Qulūb) is a profound spiritual state detailed in Surah Az-Zumar, verse 23. Tafsir by authorities like Ibn Kathir and Qatadah explains this not as a simple feeling, but as the second phase of an authentic response to the Quran. The first phase is a shiver of the skin, born from awe and fear (khashyah) of Allah's majesty and warnings. This awe then gives way to the second phase, where both the skin and heart soften and find tranquility in Allah's remembrance and promise of mercy. The linguistic root ل-ي-ن (softness, pliability) confirms this state of receptivity. This entire biphasic experience—from reverent fear to tranquil hope—is explicitly called 'the guidance of Allah' (hudā Allāh), marking it as the hallmark of a rightly-guided believer.

📖 Quranic Context

A crucial concept in understanding the transformative effect of the Quran on the believer, representing a balanced spiritual state.

It is a sign of divine guidance and a state that brings the believer closer to Allah's remembrance and mercy.

References: Specifically described in Quran 39:23 as the ideal response to the remembrance of Allah.

💭 Theological Perspective

Represents the heart's intended state of receptivity (fitrah) to divine truth.

A state of emotional and spiritual equilibrium that follows a profound experience of awe (khashyah), leading to tranquility (sakīnah).

Described as 'the guidance of Allah' itself (dhālika hudā Allāh), indicating it is a sign of a rightly guided person.

A key indicator of a healthy spiritual heart, responsive to the Quran and open to divine mercy.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the importance of a soft heart and warned against hardness. A famous hadith states, '...the furthest of people from Allah is the hard-hearted person' (Tirmidhī).

The heart as the central organ determining the righteousness of the entire body.
Remembrance of Allah (dhikr) as the 'polish' for the heart.
The dangers of a hardened heart (qaswah al-qalb).

Islamic scholars unanimously agree that a soft heart is a praiseworthy spiritual state and a goal of Islamic practice.

💎 Deeper Insights

Search grounding reveals the 'Spiritual Biphasic Response' described in 39:23. Unlike a simple emotional reaction, classical tafsir shows a structured, two-phase process: an initial 'sympathetic' spiritual arousal (fear, awe, shivering skin) which then triggers a 'parasympathetic' spiritual relaxation (softness, tranquility, receptivity). This divine model distinguishes authentic spiritual experience from mere emotionalism and shows that true tranquility is born from profound reverence.

— Ibn Kathir, Qatadah