Hadith #8442

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states, "الفِطْنَةُ بِالبَصيرَةِ" which translates to

Astuteness is [gained] through discernment.

This impactful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of having insight and understanding in order to attain true astuteness.

Let us delve deeper into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. "الفِطْنَةُ" refers to astuteness, which can be understood as the ability to perceive and comprehend things accurately and quickly. It encompasses wisdom, intelligence, and prudence. "بِالبَصيرَةِ" refers to discernment, which is the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, and to have a clear perception of the reality of things.

To gain a better understanding of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. In Surah Al-Anfal, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 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 fearing Allah and seeking His guidance. When we have a sincere fear of Allah and strive to please Him, He grants us a criterion, which is the ability to discern between right and wrong. This criterion is a form of astuteness that enables us to make wise decisions and avoid misdeeds.

Another verse that supports the concept of astuteness through discernment is found in Surah Al-Anfal, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 49:7)

And know that among you is the Messenger of Allah. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.

This verse highlights the importance of following the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ). By adhering to their teachings and example, we develop the ability to discern between faith and disbelief, obedience and disobedience. This discernment is a form of astuteness that leads us towards the right path and away from misguidance.

Now, let us reflect on the profound statement of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in light of the Quranic verses mentioned. Astuteness, as Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us, is not merely acquired through knowledge or intelligence alone. It is gained through discernment, which is the ability to perceive and understand the truth.

In order to develop this discernment, we must seek guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny. By doing so, we align ourselves with the divine wisdom and gain the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, truth and falsehood.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) exemplified this astuteness through his deep knowledge and understanding of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ). His discernment allowed him to make wise decisions, resolve conflicts, and guide the Muslim community during his caliphate.

As Muslims, we should strive to cultivate this astuteness through discernment in our own lives. By seeking knowledge, reflecting on the Quran, and following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny, we can develop the ability to perceive the truth and make wise choices in our personal and communal affairs.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us that true astuteness is not merely a result of knowledge or intelligence, but rather it is gained through discernment. By seeking guidance from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his pure progeny, we can develop this discernment and make wise decisions in our lives. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to attain true astuteness through discernment.