Hadith #9529

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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

The tongue is the interpreter of the intellect.

This amazing Hadith highlights the significance of our speech and its connection to our thoughts and intellect. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word "lisan" in Arabic refers to the tongue, while "tarjuman" means interpreter or translator. The word "aql" translates to intellect or mind. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is emphasizing that the tongue serves as a medium through which our thoughts, ideas, and intellect are expressed and conveyed to others.

This concept finds support in the Quran as well. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah An-Nahl, verse 68:

And your Lord inspired to the bee, 'Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct.'

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) mentions how He inspired the bee to build its homes in various places. The bee, with its intellect, understands this divine inspiration and then uses its tongue to communicate and express its understanding to other bees. Similarly, human beings, with their intellect, use their tongues to convey their thoughts and ideas to others.

Furthermore, the Quran emphasizes the importance of using our tongues wisely and responsibly. In Surah Al-Isra, verse 53, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) 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.

This verse reminds us to choose our words carefully and speak in a manner that is pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Our tongues should be used to promote goodness, unity, and understanding among Muslims, rather than causing division and discord. Our speech should reflect the wisdom and intellect that Allah has bestowed upon us.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith also serves as a reminder of the power and impact of our words. Our speech has the ability to influence others, shape opinions, and leave lasting impressions. Therefore, it is crucial to use our tongues in a manner that aligns with the teachings of Islam and brings benefit to ourselves and others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that our tongues play a vital role in expressing our thoughts and intellect. It reminds us to use our speech wisely, in a manner that is pleasing to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and beneficial to ourselves and others. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to control our tongues and use them as a means of spreading goodness and understanding among the Muslim ummah.