Hadith #7430

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 provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

All knowledge that is not supported by the intellect is misguidance.

Let us delve into the meaning of this statement in light of the Quran.

The key words in this Hadith are (knowledge) "عِلْم", (supported by) "يُؤَيِّدُهُ", (intellect) "عَقْلٌ", and (misguidance) "مَضَلَّةٌ".

Firstly, "عِلْم" refers to any type of knowledge or information that one acquires. It encompasses religious knowledge, scientific knowledge, and all other forms of understanding. It is important to note that the Hadith does not specify the type of knowledge being referred to, indicating that this principle applies universally.

Secondly, "يُؤَيِّدُهُ" means to be supported or upheld by something. In this context, it implies that knowledge should be substantiated and reinforced by the intellect. The intellect plays a crucial role in discerning between truth and falsehood, and it is essential for knowledge to align with rationality and logic.

Thirdly, "عَقْلٌ" refers to the faculty of reasoning and understanding. It is the ability to think critically, analyze information, and make sound judgments. The intellect is a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ), and it is meant to be utilized in the pursuit of knowledge.

Lastly, "مَضَلَّةٌ" denotes misguidance or deviation from the right path. It signifies that knowledge lacking intellectual support leads one astray and causes confusion. Such knowledge may be based on false premises, flawed reasoning, or irrational beliefs.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) repeatedly emphasizes the importance of using intellect and reason in acquiring knowledge and understanding the truth.

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:164), Allah says,

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.

This verse highlights the signs of Allah's creation as evidence for those who possess understanding. It encourages Muslims to reflect upon the world around them and utilize their intellect to recognize the greatness of Allah's creation.

Furthermore, in Surah Yunus (10:100), Allah says,

And it is not for a soul to believe except by permission of Allah, and He will place defilement upon those who will not use reason.

This verse emphasizes that belief and faith are not blind, but rather require intellectual engagement. Those who refuse to use reason and critical thinking are prone to being led astray.

The consequences of neglecting the intellect in the pursuit of knowledge are evident in various Quranic narratives. For instance, in the story of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he used his intellect to question the worship of idols and ultimately guided his people towards monotheism. Conversely, those who blindly followed their forefathers' traditions without intellectual inquiry remained in ignorance and misguidance.

Similarly, in the story of Prophet Musa (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he challenged the oppressive Pharaoh and his false claims of divinity. Musa's intellectual arguments, supported by miracles from Allah, exposed the falsehood of the Pharaoh's claims and led to the liberation of the Children of Israel.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims that knowledge should not be blindly accepted without intellectual scrutiny. It encourages critical thinking, rational analysis, and the pursuit of knowledge that aligns with the intellect. By doing so, Muslims can safeguard themselves from falling into misguidance and falsehood.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that knowledge devoid of intellectual support leads to misguidance. It emphasizes the importance of using our God-given intellect to critically evaluate and understand the knowledge we acquire. By aligning our knowledge with rationality and logic, we can ensure that our beliefs and actions are based on sound reasoning and avoid falling into falsehood. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to seek knowledge that is supported by the intellect and protect us from misguidance.