Hadith #7038

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

When the intellect is complete, speech decreases.

This impactful Hadith highlights the importance of wisdom and intellect in controlling our speech. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith and explore its implications in light of the Quran.

The word (aql) "عَقْلُ" in the Hadith refers to the intellect or rationality. It is the faculty of reasoning and understanding that distinguishes humans from other creations. The word (naqasa) "نَقَصَ" means to decrease or diminish. And (alkalam) "الكَلامُ" refers to speech or words.

The Quran emphasizes the significance of intellect and wisdom in numerous verses. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:269),

He grants wisdom to whom He pleases, and whoever is granted wisdom is indeed given a great good.

This verse highlights that wisdom is a divine gift bestowed upon individuals by Allah, and it is a great blessing.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:14), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And We gave David and Solomon knowledge, and they said, 'Praise be to Allah, Who has favored us over many of His believing servants.'

This verse exemplifies how knowledge and wisdom were bestowed upon the Prophets David and Solomon, enabling them to recognize and appreciate Allah's blessings.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that when our intellect is complete, our speech decreases. This means that when we possess true wisdom and understanding, we become more cautious and selective in our words. We become mindful of the consequences of our speech and strive to use it wisely.

Complete intellect enables us to control our tongues and refrain from engaging in idle talk, gossip, or harmful speech. It encourages us to speak only when necessary, with sincerity and truthfulness. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also emphasized the importance of guarding our tongues, as he said,

Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.

This Hadith further emphasizes the significance of controlling our speech and using it for positive purposes.

When our intellect is complete, we become aware of the power of words. We understand that our words have the potential to either build or destroy, to bring harmony or discord. The Quran reminds us in Surah Al-Isra (17:53) that even the smallest word can have a profound impact, as Allah says,

And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.

Moreover, complete intellect allows us to reflect on the consequences of our words. We become mindful of the potential harm that our speech can cause to others and ourselves. The Quran warns us in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11),

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of complete intellect in controlling our speech. It reminds us to use our wisdom and understanding to speak less and speak wisely. By doing so, we can avoid unnecessary conflicts, maintain harmonious relationships, and uphold the principles of Islam. May Allah grant us the wisdom to control our speech and use it for the betterment of ourselves and others.