Hadith #7287

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he expresses his admiration for a person whose intellect is evident in their speech, while their tongue does not overpower their intellect. This Hadith highlights the importance of aligning our words with our thoughts and the significance of using our intellect to guide our speech.

The word (aqluhu) "عَقْلُهُ" in the Hadith refers to the intellect or rationality of a person. It represents the ability to think, reason, and make sound judgments. The word (lisānuhu) "لِسانُهُ" refers to the tongue, which is the organ of speech. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that a person's intellect should be the driving force behind their speech, rather than their tongue dominating their thoughts.

This Hadith is in line with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of using our intellect and speaking with wisdom. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-A'raf (7:179),

And We have certainly created for Hell many of the jinn and mankind. They have hearts with which they do not understand, they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear. Those are like livestock; rather, they are more astray. It is they who are the heedless.

This verse highlights the importance of using our intellect to understand and comprehend the truth. It warns against those who possess physical faculties but fail to utilize their intellect. Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:55), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when they hear ill speech, they turn away from it and say, 'For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. Peace will be upon you; we seek not the ignorant.'

This verse encourages Muslims to respond to negativity and ignorance with wisdom and peace. It emphasizes the importance of using our intellect to discern between right and wrong, and to respond in a manner that reflects our understanding.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) admiration for a person whose intellect is evident in their speech aligns with the teachings of the Quran. It encourages Muslims to prioritize their intellect over their tongue, to think before they speak, and to ensure that their words are a reflection of their understanding.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate their intellect and to use it as a guiding force in their speech. It urges us to reflect on the consequences of our words and to strive for coherence between our thoughts and our expressions. By doing so, we can avoid falling into the trap of empty rhetoric and ensure that our words are meaningful, impactful, and in line with the teachings of Islam.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to use our intellect in our speech and guide us to speak words that are pleasing to Him. May we strive to be individuals whose intellect shines through their words, and may our tongues always be in harmony with our intellect.