Hadith #7154

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of utilizing one's own intellect and understanding, rather than relying solely on the intelligence and knowledge of others. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound wisdom and knowledge, reminds us that if a person is unable to utilize their own intellect and reasoning, then they become even more helpless when it comes to understanding the intelligence of others. Furthermore, the absence of someone who possesses knowledge and wisdom becomes useless to such an individual.

To delve deeper into the exegesis of this Hadith, let us analyze the key words and their meanings. The word (ajaza) "عَجَزَ" means to be incapable or unable, while (hadir lubbihi) "حاضِرِ لُبِّهِ" refers to one's present intellect or reasoning. The word (gha'ibih) "غائِبِهِ" signifies someone who is absent or far-off, and (a'wazu) "أعْوَزُ" means more useless or ineffective.

To support the understanding of this Hadith, we can refer to several Quranic verses. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of using our intellect and reasoning in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 44, where He says,

Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?

This verse highlights the necessity of applying our own intellect and understanding before advising or guiding others.

Additionally, in Surah Al-Ankabut, verse 43, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And these examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge.

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding, as it enables us to comprehend the examples and lessons presented to us.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us several important lessons. Firstly, it emphasizes the significance of personal intellectual growth and development. Each individual has been blessed with the capacity to think, reason, and understand. It is our responsibility to utilize this gift and strive for intellectual growth. By doing so, we become more capable of comprehending the knowledge and wisdom of others.

Secondly, this Hadith highlights the importance of seeking knowledge directly from its source. While it is beneficial to learn from scholars and knowledgeable individuals, we should not solely rely on their understanding without engaging in our own independent study and reflection. By directly engaging with knowledge, we become more empowered and capable of making informed decisions and judgments.

Furthermore, this Hadith reminds us of the consequences of neglecting our own intellect and relying solely on others. If we fail to develop our own understanding, we become dependent on the interpretations and opinions of others. This can lead to a lack of critical thinking and blind adherence to ideas that may not align with the true teachings of Islam.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to utilize their own intellect and reasoning. By doing so, we become more capable of comprehending the knowledge and wisdom of others, and we avoid becoming dependent on others for our understanding of Islam. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to seek knowledge, develop our intellect, and apply wisdom in our lives.