Hadith #9655

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be 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.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

A man is [to be gauged] by his astuteness not by his appearance.

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of judging individuals based on their intellect, wisdom, and discernment rather than solely on their outward appearance. Let us delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith in light of the Quran.

The word (fitnah) "فِطْنَة" in this Hadith refers to astuteness, intelligence, and wisdom. It is the ability to perceive, understand, and make sound judgments. It encompasses intellectual acumen, prudence, and the capacity to discern between right and wrong. The term (not by his appearance) "لَابِصُورَتِهِ" highlights the significance of looking beyond superficial appearances and focusing on the inner qualities of an individual.

The Quran supports the essence of this Hadith by repeatedly emphasizing the importance of inner qualities over external appearances. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse highlights that true nobility lies in righteousness and piety, not in external attributes such as race or lineage.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Isra (17:80), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.

This verse emphasizes the importance of inner strength and steadfastness in facing the challenges of life. It teaches us that true success lies in the strength of character and the ability to navigate through life's trials with wisdom and resilience.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement in this Hadith encourages us to look beyond the external facade and delve into the depths of a person's intellect and wisdom. It reminds us that appearances can be deceiving, and true judgment should be based on a person's inner qualities and actions.

For example, in the Battle of Khandaq, also known as the Battle of the Trench, the Muslims faced a formidable enemy. The hypocrites among them, who appeared to be Muslims on the surface, were hesitant and lacked the courage to defend the faith. On the other hand, Salman al-Farsi (رضي الله عنه), a companion of the Prophet (ﷺ) who was of Persian origin, displayed remarkable astuteness and devised the strategy of digging a trench to protect the Muslim community. Despite his non-Arab appearance, Salman's wisdom and intellect were recognized and valued by the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Muslims.

This Hadith also serves as a reminder for us to assess individuals based on their knowledge, understanding, and moral character rather than superficial attributes such as wealth, physical appearance, or social status. It encourages us to seek knowledge and cultivate wisdom, as these are the qualities that truly define a person's worth in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us the importance of judging individuals based on their astuteness and intellect rather than their outward appearance. It aligns with the teachings of the Quran, which emphasizes the significance of inner qualities and righteousness. As Muslims, we should strive to cultivate wisdom, knowledge, and moral character, and recognize the true worth of individuals based on their inner qualities rather than superficial attributes. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to see beyond appearances and judge others with fairness and wisdom.