Hadith #7488

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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

يَحْتاجُ الْعِلْمُ إلَى العَمَلِ۔

This simple yet thought-provoking saying can be translated as "Knowledge needs action." Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. (knowledge) "الْعِلْمُ" refers to the understanding and awareness of facts, information, and principles. It encompasses both religious and worldly knowledge. (action) "العَمَلِ" refers to the practical application of knowledge in our lives. It is the embodiment of knowledge through righteous deeds and behavior.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of knowledge and its application in numerous verses. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Zumar (39:9),

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

This verse highlights the distinction between those who possess knowledge and those who do not. It implies that knowledge is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a means to attain wisdom and guidance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:79), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

It is not for a human [prophet] that Allah should give him the Scripture and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, 'Be servants to me rather than Allah,' but [instead, he would say], 'Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied.'

This verse highlights the responsibility of those who possess knowledge to act as righteous scholars and guide others towards the path of Allah.

Now, let us reflect on the enlightening message of Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith. Knowledge, in its essence, is not meant to be confined to theoretical understanding alone. It is meant to be put into practice, to be lived and experienced. Without action, knowledge remains stagnant and fails to fulfill its purpose.

For example, if one possesses knowledge of the importance of prayer but neglects to perform it regularly, their knowledge becomes meaningless. Similarly, if one has knowledge of the virtues of honesty but engages in deceitful practices, their knowledge loses its value. It is through action that knowledge is actualized and its transformative power is unleashed.

The consequences of neglecting the application of knowledge are evident in various aspects of life. In the religious realm, it leads to hypocrisy and spiritual stagnation. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns in Surah Al-Munafiqun (63:1),

When the hypocrites come to you, [O Muhammad], they say, 'We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.' And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars.

This verse highlights the hypocrisy of those who claim to have knowledge of the truth but fail to act upon it sincerely.

In the worldly realm, the lack of action based on knowledge leads to societal problems and individual underachievement. For instance, if a doctor possesses knowledge of medical treatments but fails to apply it effectively, patients may not receive the necessary care. Similarly, if a student has knowledge of academic subjects but does not put in the effort to study and apply that knowledge, they will not achieve academic success.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that knowledge is not an end in itself but a means to attain righteousness and success in both this world and the Hereafter. It urges us to actively apply our knowledge in our daily lives, to strive for excellence in our actions, and to seek the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) through our deeds.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) "Knowledge needs action" emphasizes the inseparable relationship between knowledge and action. It reminds us that true knowledge is not passive but active, and it is through the application of knowledge that we can truly benefit ourselves and society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and motivation to act upon the knowledge we acquire, and may He bless us with success in this world and the Hereafter.