Hadith #8605

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

ما عَقَلَ مَنْ عَدا طَوْرَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

He who oversteps his limits has not used his intellect.

Let us delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. The word (a'qala) "عَقَلَ" refers to the intellect or the ability to reason and understand. It is the faculty that distinguishes humans from other creatures. (man) "مَنْ" means "he who" or "whoever." (ada) "عَدا" means to transgress or overstep the boundaries. And finally, (tawrah) "طَوْرَهُ" refers to one's limits or boundaries.

To understand the enlightening message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-A'raf (7:146), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the way of consciousness, they will not adopt it as a way; but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.

This verse highlights the consequences of overstepping one's limits and being arrogant. When individuals exceed their boundaries and reject the signs of Allah, their intellect becomes clouded, and they become blind to the truth. They are unable to recognize the path of righteousness and instead embrace the path of error and misguidance.

Another verse that sheds light on the importance of staying within one's limits is found in Surah Al-Isra (17:36), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

This verse emphasizes the significance of knowledge and understanding. It advises Muslims not to engage in matters without proper knowledge, as they will be held accountable for their actions. By staying within the boundaries of their knowledge and intellect, individuals can avoid overstepping their limits and making mistakes that may have severe consequences.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his unparalleled wisdom and knowledge, reminds us in this Hadith that true intellect lies in recognizing and respecting our limits. When we exceed these limits, we not only display arrogance but also demonstrate a lack of understanding and wisdom. Our intellect should guide us to stay within the boundaries set by Allah and His Prophet (ﷺ) and to seek knowledge and guidance from authentic sources.

By adhering to these limits, we ensure that our actions are in accordance with the teachings of Islam and that we do not fall into the trap of arrogance and ignorance. It is through the proper use of our intellect that we can navigate through life with wisdom, humility, and righteousness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to use their intellect wisely and to recognize and respect their limits. By doing so, we can avoid arrogance, seek knowledge, and stay on the path of righteousness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to understand and implement this valuable lesson in our lives.