Hadith #3641

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

In this profound Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) provides us with a deep insight into the nature of this world and the potential pitfalls that one may encounter. The Imam begins by highlighting the fact that the world, with all its allurements and temptations, often favors the ignorant over the knowledgeable. It is a sad reality that the ignorant are sometimes given precedence and are accorded respect and recognition, while the intelligent and deserving individuals are overlooked and neglected.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, it is important to delve into the meanings of some key words. The term (jahil) "جاهِلِ" refers to the ignorant, someone lacking knowledge or understanding. On the other hand, the word (aql) "عاقِلِ" denotes the intelligent, the one possessing wisdom and discernment. The Imam emphasizes that despite the ignorance of some individuals, the world may still favor them due to societal conventions and norms. Conversely, the intelligent and deserving individuals may be overlooked and marginalized, despite their merit and worthiness.

To support the exegesis of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:179), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

This verse highlights the prevalence of ignorance and the lack of understanding among people, leading them astray from the path of righteousness.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-An'am (6:116), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns,

And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumption, and they are not but falsifying.

This verse reminds us that blindly following the majority can lead us away from the true path and into ignorance.

Returning to the Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) cautions us against being swayed by the allurements of this world. He advises us that if we happen to acquire something from this world through ignorance or lose something valuable due to our intelligence, we must not let these circumstances push us towards desiring ignorance or being uninterested in intelligence. It is crucial to maintain a balance between worldly pursuits and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

The Imam's words serve as a reminder that knowledge and wisdom are the keys to success in this world and the hereafter. Ignorance may provide temporary gains, but it ultimately leads to degradation and destruction. Conversely, intelligence and the pursuit of knowledge bring enlightenment, guidance, and a higher station in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To illustrate the consequences of desiring ignorance and being uninterested in intelligence, let us reflect on the story of Prophet Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Satan. When Allah commanded the angels and Iblis (Satan) to prostrate before Adam, Iblis refused due to his arrogance and ignorance. Despite his knowledge and intelligence, he allowed his pride and desire for superiority to lead him astray. As a result, he was cast out of Paradise and became the eternal enemy of mankind. This serves as a stark reminder of the perils of desiring ignorance and neglecting the pursuit of knowledge.

In conclusion, this Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a profound reminder for Muslims to prioritize knowledge and wisdom over the allurements of this world. It highlights the unfortunate reality that the ignorant are often favored and the intelligent are overlooked. However, the Imam advises us not to be swayed by this imbalance and to remain steadfast in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding. By doing so, we can attain success in this world and the hereafter, while avoiding the degradation and destruction that comes with ignorance. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to navigate through the challenges of this world and to seek knowledge that brings us closer to Him.