Hadith #7507

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

In this profound Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he states,

The greatest of people in knowledge are the most intense in [their] fear of Allah, the Glorified.

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

Firstly, let us understand the key words in this Hadith. The word (knowledge) "عِلْماً" refers to deep understanding and awareness of religious teachings and principles. It encompasses both theoretical knowledge and practical application. The word (the most intense) "أشَدُّهُمْ" implies the highest level or degree of fear, which is characterized by a deep sense of awe, reverence, and consciousness of Allah's presence. And finally, (fear of Allah, the Glorified) "خَوْفاً لِلّهِ سُبْحانَهُ" refers to a state of profound humility and submission to the commandments of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Anfal (8:29),

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 emphasizes the importance of fear of Allah as a means of attaining His guidance, forgiveness, and blessings. It highlights that true knowledge is not merely intellectual, but it is deeply rooted in a sincere and intense fear of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:197), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is Taqwa (fear of Allah). So fear Me, O you of understanding.

This verse emphasizes that true understanding and wisdom come from cultivating a deep sense of fear and consciousness of Allah. It is through this fear that one is able to make wise decisions and choose the best provisions for their journey in this world and the hereafter.

The enlightening Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in this Hadith highlights the inseparable connection between knowledge and fear of Allah. It teaches us that true knowledge is not limited to acquiring information, but it is deeply intertwined with a sincere and intense fear of Allah. The more one increases in knowledge, the more their fear of Allah should intensify.

This Hadith serves as a reminder for Muslims to constantly strive for knowledge and to seek it with the intention of increasing their fear of Allah. It encourages us to reflect on the consequences of our actions and to be mindful of our accountability to Allah. When knowledge is accompanied by fear of Allah, it becomes a transformative force that guides our actions, purifies our intentions, and leads us towards righteousness.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) himself exemplified this profound understanding of knowledge and fear of Allah. His unparalleled knowledge and wisdom were deeply rooted in his unwavering fear and reverence for Allah. His actions and decisions were guided by his profound consciousness of Allah's presence and his commitment to upholding His commandments.

As Muslims, we should strive to emulate Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) example and seek knowledge with the intention of increasing our fear of Allah. We should constantly remind ourselves of the consequences of our actions and the importance of being mindful of our accountability to Allah. By doing so, we can attain true knowledge that is transformative, enlightening, and pleasing to Allah.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to seek knowledge with sincerity and to increase in our fear of Him. May He bless us with the wisdom to apply our knowledge in a way that is pleasing to Him and beneficial to humanity. And may He make us among those who are counted among the greatest in knowledge and the most intense in fear of Allah.