Hadith #3355

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

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

مَنْ خَشِيَ اللّهَ كَمُلَ عِلْمُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

Whoever fears Allah, his knowledge is complete.

Let us delve into the profound meanings of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (khashiya) "خَشِيَ" in Arabic means to fear, revere, or have awe of someone or something. In this context, it refers to the fear and reverence one has towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). This fear is not a fear of punishment, but rather a fear of displeasing Allah and a deep sense of awe and respect for His greatness.

The word (kamul) "كَمُلَ" comes from the root word (kamala) "كَمَلَ", which means to be complete or perfect. In this Hadith, it refers to the completeness or perfection of one's knowledge. It implies that true knowledge is attained when it is accompanied by the fear and reverence of Allah.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 165,

And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.

This verse emphasizes the importance of having a deep love and reverence for Allah above all else. When we fear Allah and hold Him in the highest regard, our knowledge becomes complete because it is rooted in the truth and guided by divine wisdom.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 29, Allah says,

O you who have believed, if you fear Allah, He will grant you a criterion and will remove from you your misdeeds and forgive you. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty.

This verse highlights the blessings and benefits that come with fearing Allah. When we fear Him sincerely, He bestows upon us the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, to make sound judgments, and to acquire true knowledge that is free from biases and misconceptions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true knowledge is not merely about accumulating facts and information. It is about understanding the purpose of our existence, recognizing our Creator, and living in accordance with His guidance. When we fear Allah, our knowledge becomes a means of attaining closeness to Him and seeking His pleasure.

For example, a person who possesses vast knowledge but lacks the fear of Allah may use their knowledge for selfish gains or to manipulate others. On the other hand, a person who fears Allah and seeks knowledge with sincerity will use their knowledge to benefit humanity, promote justice, and uphold the values of Islam.

Moreover, the fear of Allah motivates us to continuously seek knowledge and strive for self-improvement. It instills in us a sense of humility, as we realize that no matter how much knowledge we acquire, there is always more to learn. This fear also serves as a protection against arrogance and intellectual pride, reminding us that all knowledge ultimately belongs to Allah and He is the source of all wisdom.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true knowledge is attained when it is accompanied by the fear and reverence of Allah. This fear is not a fear of punishment, but a deep sense of awe and respect for His greatness. When we fear Allah sincerely, our knowledge becomes complete, guided by divine wisdom and free from biases. It motivates us to seek knowledge for the right reasons and use it for the betterment of ourselves and humanity. May Allah grant us the ability to fear Him and seek knowledge that is pleasing to Him.