Hadith #7331

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of acquiring knowledge that is directly applicable to our actions. The key words in this Hadith are (knowledge) "عِلْمِ", (responsible) "مَسْؤُلٌ", and (action) "عَمَلِ".

The word (knowledge) "عِلْمِ" refers to the understanding and awareness of information, facts, and principles. It encompasses both religious and worldly knowledge. In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance of acquiring knowledge that is relevant to our responsibilities and duties.

The word (responsible) "مَسْؤُلٌ" refers to the obligation and duty that one has towards something. It implies accountability and the need to fulfill one's obligations. In the context of this Hadith, it refers to the knowledge that we are obligated to acquire in order to fulfill our responsibilities and duties as Muslims.

The word (action) "عَمَلِ" refers to the practical application of knowledge in our daily lives. It signifies the implementation of what we have learned and understood. In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes that the most obligatory knowledge for us to acquire is the one that we are responsible for acting upon.

This Hadith aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasizes the importance of knowledge and its application. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Zumar (39:9):

Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?' Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) distinguishes between those who possess knowledge and those who do not. The people of understanding, who acquire knowledge and act upon it, are elevated in their remembrance of Allah and their ability to fulfill their responsibilities.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Imran (3:79), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says:

It is not for a human [prophet] that Allah should give him the Scripture and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, 'Be servants to me rather than Allah,' but [instead, he would say], 'Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied.'

This verse highlights the importance of knowledge and the responsibility of scholars to guide others towards piety and righteousness. It emphasizes that knowledge should not be used for personal gain or to exert authority over others, but rather to serve Allah and benefit humanity.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith reminds us that knowledge without action is incomplete. It is not enough to simply acquire knowledge; we must also apply it in our lives and fulfill our responsibilities accordingly. This Hadith serves as a motivation for us to seek knowledge that is relevant to our daily lives and to actively implement it in our actions.

The consequences of neglecting this obligation are detrimental. Without acting upon the knowledge we acquire, it becomes meaningless and fails to bring about positive change in our lives and society. It is through the practical application of knowledge that we can truly benefit ourselves and others.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we are reminded of the importance of seeking knowledge that is applicable to our responsibilities as Muslims. We should strive to acquire knowledge that enables us to fulfill our duties towards Allah, our families, our communities, and humanity at large. By doing so, we can become true servants of Allah and contribute to the betterment of society.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and understanding to acquire knowledge that we are responsible for acting upon. May He bless us with the ability to implement this knowledge in our lives and fulfill our obligations with sincerity and excellence. And may He guide us all on the path of righteousness.