Hadith #4890

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

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

لا يَعْرِفُ السَّفيهُ حَقَّ الحَليمِ۔

This Hadith can be translated as,

The dimwit does not know the right of the wise one.

Let us delve into the connotation of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

In this Hadith, two important words stand out: (safiy) "سَّفيهُ" and (haleem) "حَليمِ". The word "سَّفيهُ" refers to someone who is foolish, ignorant, and lacking in wisdom. On the other hand, the word "حَليمِ" refers to someone who is wise, patient, and forbearing.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of wisdom and knowledge. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (Quran 2:269)

And whoever is granted wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, Allah describes Prophet Musa (Moses) (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) as someone who possessed wisdom and knowledge. Allah says, (Quran 28:14)

And when he reached his maturity and became steadfast, We bestowed upon him wisdom and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.

From these Quranic verses, we can understand that wisdom and knowledge are highly valued in Islam. They are qualities that elevate a person's understanding and enable them to make sound judgments. The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the stark contrast between a foolish person and a wise person.

The phrase

لا يَعْرِفُ السَّفيهُ حَقَّ الحَليمِ

can be understood to mean that a foolish person fails to recognize and appreciate the worth and value of a wise person. The dimwit lacks the understanding and insight to comprehend the wisdom and knowledge possessed by the haleem.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to seek knowledge and wisdom, and to recognize and respect those who possess it. It encourages us to value the guidance and teachings of the wise, and to strive to acquire wisdom ourselves.

In practical terms, this Hadith has several implications. Firstly, it reminds us to seek out knowledgeable individuals and scholars who can guide us in matters of religion and life. We should not dismiss their advice or teachings due to our own ignorance or arrogance.

Secondly, this Hadith encourages us to be humble and open-minded when interacting with others. We should not belittle or disregard the opinions and perspectives of those who may not possess the same level of knowledge or wisdom as us. Instead, we should strive to patiently educate and enlighten them, just as the wise ones did for us.

Lastly, this Hadith serves as a motivation for us to continuously seek knowledge and wisdom throughout our lives. We should never be content with our current level of understanding, but rather, we should strive to expand our knowledge and deepen our wisdom. By doing so, we can become a source of guidance and inspiration for others, just as the wise ones are for us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of wisdom and knowledge in Islam. It highlights the contrast between a foolish person and a wise person, emphasizing the need to recognize and appreciate the value of the wise. This Hadith encourages us to seek knowledge, respect the guidance of the wise, and continuously strive to acquire wisdom ourselves. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to recognize and appreciate the worth of the wise, and to seek knowledge and wisdom throughout our lives.