Hadith #7241

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

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

The ugly act of an intelligent person is better than the beautiful act of an ignorant person.

This enlightening saying emphasizes the importance of knowledge and understanding in the actions of a person. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

Firstly, let us analyze the key words in this Hadith. The word (qabih) "قَبيحُ" refers to something ugly, disgraceful, or morally reprehensible. (aql) "عاقِل" means an intelligent or wise person. On the other hand, (hasan) "حَسَنِ" denotes something beautiful, good, or commendable, while (jahil) "جاهِل" signifies an ignorant or uninformed person.

To understand the significance of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of knowledge and understanding in various verses. For example, in Surah Al-Zumar (39:9), Allah says,

Are those who know equal to those who do not know?

This verse highlights the distinction between those who possess knowledge and those who lack it. It implies that the actions of an intelligent person, even if they appear unattractive or unpleasant, hold greater value than the actions of an ignorant person, even if they seem beautiful.

Another verse that supports the message of this Hadith is found in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), where Allah says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse encourages Muslims to seek knowledge and verify information before passing judgment or taking action. It highlights the importance of intelligence and understanding in making informed decisions and avoiding harm caused by ignorance.

The exegesis of this Hadith teaches us that the value of an action is not solely determined by its outward appearance or superficial beauty. Rather, the true worth of an action lies in the knowledge and understanding behind it. An intelligent person, even if their action may seem unattractive, possesses the wisdom to discern right from wrong and make choices based on sound judgment. Conversely, an ignorant person, despite their seemingly beautiful actions, lacks the understanding and insight to distinguish between good and evil.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to prioritize seeking knowledge and understanding in their lives. It encourages us to strive for intellectual growth and to make informed decisions based on wisdom and insight. It reminds us that our actions should be guided by knowledge and understanding, rather than being driven solely by appearances or societal expectations.

Moreover, this Hadith also highlights the importance of humility and refraining from judging others based solely on their outward actions. It reminds us that we should not be quick to judge or dismiss someone based on their appearance or actions alone. Instead, we should seek to understand the underlying motivations and knowledge that inform their behavior.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that the actions of an intelligent person, even if they may appear unattractive, hold greater value than the actions of an ignorant person, even if they seem beautiful. It emphasizes the importance of knowledge and understanding in guiding our actions and decision-making. Let us strive to seek knowledge, make informed choices, and refrain from judging others based solely on outward appearances. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to act upon this profound teaching.