Hadith #7390

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 completeness of knowledge is [in] acting according to it.

This impactful saying highlights the inseparable connection between knowledge and action. To fully understand the depth of this Hadith, let us delve into the meanings of its key words.

The word "tamam" in Arabic means completeness or perfection. It signifies the state of being whole and lacking nothing. In this context, it refers to the ideal state of knowledge, where it is fully realized and actualized. The word "ilm" means knowledge, which encompasses both theoretical understanding and practical wisdom.

The phrase "al-'amal bi-mujibihi" translates to

acting according to it.

Here, "amal" refers to action, while "mujib" means in accordance with or in response to. Therefore, the Hadith emphasizes that true knowledge is not merely confined to intellectual understanding, but it necessitates practical implementation and adherence.

This profound Hadith finds its resonance in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of combining knowledge with action. In Surah Al-Imran (3:110), Allah says,

You are the best nation produced for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.

This verse highlights the role of Muslims in promoting righteousness and preventing evil, which requires both knowledge and action.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah declares,

By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

This verse emphasizes the importance of not only believing but also engaging in righteous actions and guiding others towards truth and patience.

The exegesis of this Hadith leads us to reflect upon the significance of knowledge and its practical application. Merely acquiring knowledge without acting upon it is incomplete and falls short of its intended purpose. True knowledge should motivate us to implement its teachings in our daily lives, leading to positive change and spiritual growth.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, exemplified this principle throughout his life. His knowledge was not confined to theoretical understanding, but he translated it into action, serving as a role model for Muslims. Whether it was his impeccable justice, his compassion towards the needy, or his unwavering devotion to Allah, Imam Ali's actions were a testament to the completeness of his knowledge.

As Muslims, we are reminded by this Hadith to constantly strive for the integration of knowledge and action in our lives. We should seek knowledge with sincerity and humility, not for the sake of intellectual pursuit alone, but with the intention of applying it in our actions. By aligning our actions with the teachings of Islam, we can attain the completeness of knowledge and fulfill our purpose as believers.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true knowledge is not limited to intellectual understanding but requires practical implementation. It is through the integration of knowledge and action that we can attain the completeness of knowledge. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge and the strength to act upon it, thereby attaining the completeness of knowledge in our lives.