Hadith #7104

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

كَمالُ المَرْءِ عَقْلُهُ وقيمَتُهُ فَضْلُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

The perfection of a person is his intellect and his value is his benevolence.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this thought-provoking saying in the light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us explore the word (his intellect) "عَقْلُهُ". In the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of intellect and knowledge. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (2:30)

And when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.' They said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?' Allah said, 'Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'

This verse highlights the superiority of Adam (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) over the angels due to his intellect and knowledge. It signifies that intellect is a divine gift bestowed upon humans, enabling them to understand and fulfill their purpose in life.

Furthermore, the word (his benevolence) "فَضْلُهُ" in the Hadith refers to the value and worth of a person. In the Quran, Allah (تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَىٰ) emphasizes the importance of good deeds and righteousness. In Surah Al-Hujurat, Allah says, (49:13)

Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse highlights that true value and superiority lie in righteousness and good character. It is through acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity that a person's worth is truly elevated.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement emphasizes the significance of intellect and benevolence in a person's perfection. It implies that true perfection is not merely based on physical attributes or material possessions, but rather on the development of one's intellect and the manifestation of benevolence in their actions.

Intellect, as mentioned in the Hadith, encompasses not only intellectual capacity but also wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. It is through the cultivation of intellect that one can gain insight into the deeper meanings of life, make informed decisions, and seek guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Benevolence, on the other hand, refers to acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity towards others. It includes helping the needy, being just in one's dealings, and treating others with respect and dignity. The Quran repeatedly emphasizes the importance of benevolence and encourages Muslims to engage in acts of charity and goodness. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah says, (2:177)

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder to Muslims that true perfection lies in the development of their intellect and the manifestation of benevolence in their actions. It encourages individuals to seek knowledge, reflect upon the teachings of the Quran, and apply them in their daily lives. It also emphasizes the importance of selflessness, compassion, and generosity towards others, as these qualities elevate a person's worth and contribute to their overall perfection.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of intellect and benevolence in a person's perfection. It reminds Muslims of the importance of seeking knowledge, reflecting upon the teachings of the Quran, and applying them in their lives. It also emphasizes the value of acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity towards others. By developing their intellect and manifesting benevolence, Muslims can strive towards true perfection and fulfill their purpose in life. May Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) grant us the ability to cultivate our intellect and manifest benevolence in our actions.