Hadith #7486

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the 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,

Yasiru al-'ilmi yanfi kathira al-jahli.

This Hadith can be translated into English as,

A little knowledge removes a lot of ignorance.

In this beautiful saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the transformative power of knowledge in dispelling ignorance.

Let us delve deeper into the key words of this Hadith. The word "yasiru" means "a little" or "a small amount." It emphasizes the notion that even a small amount of knowledge can have a significant impact. The word "al-'ilm" refers to knowledge, encompassing both religious and worldly knowledge. It is the understanding and awareness of facts, principles, and truths. On the other hand, "al-jahl" signifies ignorance, which is the lack of knowledge or understanding.

To support the wisdom of this Hadith, we find numerous verses in the Quran that emphasize the importance of seeking knowledge and the eradication of ignorance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Zumar (39:9),

Are those who know equal to those who do not know?

This verse highlights the distinction between those who possess knowledge and those who are ignorant. It emphasizes the superiority of knowledge and the detrimental effects of ignorance.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees.

This verse highlights the elevation and honor bestowed upon those who possess knowledge. It signifies that knowledge is a means of spiritual and intellectual growth, leading to a higher rank in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith emphasizes the transformative power of knowledge. Even a small amount of knowledge can dispel a significant amount of ignorance. This means that acquiring knowledge, no matter how limited it may be, can have a profound impact on an individual's understanding and perspective.

For example, imagine a person who has never studied the Quran or the teachings of Islam. They may hold misconceptions or misunderstandings about certain aspects of the religion. However, if they were to gain even a small amount of knowledge, such as studying a few verses of the Quran or attending a basic Islamic course, they would begin to dispel their ignorance and develop a more accurate understanding of Islam.

Moreover, the Hadith also highlights the importance of continuous learning and seeking knowledge. It encourages Muslims to never be satisfied with their current level of knowledge but to constantly strive for more. By doing so, they can continue to remove layers of ignorance and deepen their understanding of various subjects.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder to Muslims of the transformative power of knowledge. It emphasizes that even a small amount of knowledge can dispel a significant amount of ignorance. Therefore, it is incumbent upon every Muslim to seek knowledge, both religious and worldly, in order to grow intellectually, spiritually, and to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and motivation to seek knowledge and remove ignorance from our lives.