Hadith #990

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the incomprehensibility of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) by the human intellect. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) cannot be fully understood or described by the limited capacity of human intellect. Instead, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) has described Himself before anyone attempted to describe Him.

To understand the essence of this Hadith, let us delve into the important words and concepts it contains. The word (intellects) "عُقُولُ" refers to the human intellect, which is the faculty of reasoning and understanding. The word (describers) "واصِفينَ" refers to those who attempt to describe or define Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) using human language and concepts.

This Hadith emphasizes the transcendence and incomprehensibility of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It reminds us that our limited intellects cannot fully grasp the essence of the Divine Being. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is beyond human understanding and cannot be confined to human descriptions or limitations. This concept is beautifully echoed in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes Himself as:

(Quran 2:255)

Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

This verse highlights the greatness and transcendence of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It emphasizes that no human intellect can fully comprehend His essence or encompass His knowledge. Our understanding is limited, while Allah's knowledge is infinite. This verse affirms the truth expressed in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) cannot be described by the intellects of human beings.

Another verse that supports the message of the Hadith is:

(Quran 42:11)

There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.

This verse emphasizes the uniqueness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). There is nothing in creation that resembles Him in any way. Our human intellects are incapable of fully comprehending or describing His attributes. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is beyond any human comparison or limitation.

The consequences of understanding this Hadith are profound. It reminds us of our limitations as human beings and the need for humility in our pursuit of knowledge. We must recognize that our intellects have their limits and that there are aspects of the Divine that are beyond our comprehension. This understanding should lead us to approach the study of religion and theology with humility and an open mind, recognizing that our understanding will always be incomplete.

Furthermore, this Hadith serves as a reminder that our descriptions of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) should be based on His own descriptions of Himself in the Quran. We should avoid attributing human characteristics or limitations to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and instead rely on His own words to understand His attributes and qualities.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the transcendence and incomprehensibility of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It emphasizes that our human intellects are incapable of fully understanding or describing the Divine Being. We should approach the study of religion with humility and rely on Allah's own descriptions of Himself in the Quran. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge and understanding within the boundaries of His guidance.