Hadith #7197

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.

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the qualities of an intelligent person. The key words in this Hadith are (his intellect) "عَقْلُهُ", (right guidance) "إرْشَاد", (his view) "رَأْيُهُ", (development/growth) "ازْدِيَاد", (correct) "سَدِيدٌ", and (praiseworthy) "حَمِيدٌ".

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 269:

He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and whoever is granted wisdom is indeed given a great good; and none but men of understanding learn a lesson from it.

This verse emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding, which are closely related to the concept of intellect mentioned in the Hadith. An intelligent person is one who possesses wisdom and understanding, and this wisdom comes from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 14, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him wisdom and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.

This verse highlights the connection between intellect and maturity. An intelligent person is not only intellectually developed but also emotionally mature. They have the ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on their acquired wisdom and knowledge.

Now, let us delve into the deeper meaning of the Hadith. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that the intelligent person is one whose intellect is employed in right guidance. This means that their intellect is not wasted on trivial matters or misguided pursuits. They use their intellect to seek knowledge, understand the truth, and make decisions that align with the teachings of Islam.

The Imam also mentions that the view of an intelligent person is in the process of development and growth. This signifies that they are open-minded, willing to learn, and constantly seeking to expand their understanding. They do not hold rigid or stagnant views but are receptive to new information and insights.

To support this, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-An'am, verse 125:

So whoever Allah wants to guide - He expands his breast to [contain] Islam; and whoever He wants to misguide - He makes his breast tight and constricted as though he were climbing into the sky. Thus does Allah place defilement upon those who do not believe.

This verse emphasizes the importance of having an open heart and mind to receive guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). An intelligent person is receptive to the truth and constantly seeks to broaden their understanding of Islam.

The Hadith concludes by stating that the view of an intelligent person is correct and their actions are praiseworthy. This implies that their intellect, guided by wisdom and understanding, leads them to make righteous choices and engage in virtuous deeds.

In Surah Al-Imran, verse 104, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.

This verse highlights the importance of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. An intelligent person, with their correct view and praiseworthy actions, becomes a source of guidance and inspiration for others. They actively promote goodness and righteousness, leading to success in this world and the hereafter.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true intelligence lies in employing our intellect in right guidance, continuously developing our understanding, and translating our knowledge into correct and praiseworthy actions. By seeking wisdom from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and following the teachings of Islam, we can become intelligent individuals who contribute positively to society and earn the pleasure of our Creator. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to be truly intelligent and guide us on the path of righteousness.