Hadith #1894

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the detrimental effects of ignorance and emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith and explore its deeper meaning in light of the Quran.

The word (ignorance) "جَهْلِ" refers to the lack of knowledge or understanding. It is a state of being uninformed or unaware. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) begins by stating that

Verily you will not attain any goal by ignorance.

This implies that ignorance hinders our progress and prevents us from achieving our objectives in life. Whether it is personal growth, success in worldly matters, or spiritual development, ignorance acts as a barrier that obstructs our path.

The Quran supports this notion in several verses. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and verifying information before taking any action. Ignorance can lead to harmful consequences, both for ourselves and for others.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further states,

nor will you achieve any goodness by means of it.

This highlights the fact that ignorance prevents us from attaining goodness and righteousness. Without knowledge, we are unable to make informed decisions or engage in virtuous actions. The Quran echoes this sentiment in Surah Al-Zumar (39:9), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

Moreover, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

nor will you realize any of your wishes in the Hereafter through it.

This emphasizes the long-term consequences of ignorance. In the Hereafter, our ultimate goal is to attain the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and enter Paradise. However, without knowledge and understanding of the teachings of Islam, we may unknowingly engage in actions that lead us astray. The Quran emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge for salvation in Surah Al-Zumar (39:17-18), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

So is one who is on clear evidence from his Lord like one for whom his evil work has been made attractive to him and they follow their [own] desires?

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) wise words serve as a reminder for all Muslims to seek knowledge and strive for understanding. Ignorance can hinder our progress, prevent us from achieving goodness, and lead us astray in the Hereafter. It is incumbent upon us to educate ourselves, study the Quran, and follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By doing so, we can attain our goals, achieve goodness, and secure our place in the Hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and knowledge to navigate through life and seek His pleasure.