Hadith #7484

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, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لاعِلْمَ لِمَنْ لابَصيرَةَ لَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One who has no insight, has no knowledge.

In this impactful saying , Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of insight or basira in acquiring true knowledge.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of the key words. "La'ilma" refers to knowledge, which encompasses understanding, awareness, and comprehension. "Man" denotes a person, and "labaṣīrata" refers to insight or clear vision. Insight, in this context, refers to the ability to perceive and comprehend the deeper meanings and realities of things.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of insight and its connection to true knowledge in several verses. In Surah Al-Hajj, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (22:45-47)

Have they not traveled through the land and observed how was the end of those before them? They were greater than them in power, and they plowed the earth and built it up more than they have built it up, and their messengers came to them with clear evidences. And Allah would not ever have wronged them, but they were wronging themselves. Then the end of those who did evil was the worst [consequence] because they denied the signs of Allah and used to ridicule them.

This verse highlights the importance of observing the consequences of the past and learning from them. It is through insight that we can reflect upon the signs of Allah and derive knowledge from them. Those who lack insight fail to recognize the signs and, consequently, their knowledge remains incomplete.

Another verse that supports the Hadith is found in Surah Al-Ankabut, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (29:69)

And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

This verse highlights the importance of striving and making an effort to seek knowledge. It is through the active pursuit of knowledge and the cultivation of insight that one can be guided to the ways of Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that mere accumulation of information does not equate to true knowledge. True knowledge requires insight, which enables us to understand the deeper meanings and implications of what we learn. Without insight, knowledge remains superficial and lacks the ability to bring about positive change in our lives.

For example, a person may have memorized numerous verses of the Quran, but without insight, they may fail to understand the underlying messages and guidance within those verses. Similarly, someone may have studied Islamic jurisprudence extensively, but without insight, they may struggle to apply the principles of Islamic law in a just and compassionate manner.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement also highlights the consequences of lacking insight. Without insight, one may misinterpret or misapply knowledge, leading to harmful actions and misguided beliefs. This can be seen throughout history, where individuals and groups have used their knowledge for destructive purposes due to their lack of insight.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the importance of insight in acquiring true knowledge. It is through insight that we can understand the deeper meanings and implications of what we learn, enabling us to apply knowledge in a beneficial and righteous manner. May Allah grant us all the gift of insight and guide us to seek knowledge that is rooted in understanding and wisdom.