Hadith #9779

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due 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, "آفَةُ الذُّكاءِ اَلْمَكْرُ۔" This can be translated as,

The bane of cleverness is scheming.

In this Hadith, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the negative aspect of intelligence when it is used for deceitful purposes.

To understand the deeper meaning of this Hadith, let us first examine the key words. "آفَةُ" refers to a bane or a harmful consequence. "الذُّكاءِ" refers to intelligence or cleverness. And "المَكْرُ" refers to scheming or deceit.

The Quran provides us with guidance on the proper use of intelligence and warns against the misuse of it. In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 3:54)

And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.

Here, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is described as the best of schemers, but His scheming is for the purpose of justice and retribution. It is a reminder that deceitful schemes will ultimately be thwarted by Allah's divine plan.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Anfal, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) warns against the use of intelligence for evil purposes. He says, (Quran 8:30)

And they (the disbelievers) devised a plot, and Allah devised a plot (against them): and Allah is the best of plotters.

This verse emphasizes that Allah's plan is superior to any human scheme, and those who use their intelligence for evil will ultimately face the consequences of their actions.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith serves as a reminder to Muslims about the importance of using intelligence and cleverness for righteous purposes. Intelligence is a gift from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that should be utilized in seeking knowledge, understanding the Quran, and solving problems for the betterment of society. However, when intelligence is used for deceitful purposes, it becomes a bane and leads to harmful consequences.

For example, a person with intelligence may use their wit and cunning to manipulate others for personal gain or to cause harm. They may deceive others through lies, trickery, or manipulation. This not only goes against the teachings of Islam, but it also disrupts the harmony and trust within society. Such scheming and deceit can lead to conflicts, broken relationships, and a loss of faith in one another.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), known for his profound knowledge and wisdom, understood the potential dangers of using intelligence for deceitful purposes. He emphasized the importance of using one's intelligence in a righteous manner, aligning it with the teachings of Islam and the principles of justice and fairness.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that intelligence is a blessing from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) that should be used for the betterment of ourselves and society. When intelligence is used for deceitful purposes, it becomes a bane and leads to harmful consequences. Muslims should strive to use their intelligence in accordance with the teachings of Islam, seeking knowledge, solving problems, and promoting justice and fairness. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) guide us to use our intelligence wisely and protect us from the pitfalls of deceit and scheming.