Hadith #2166

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 and noble Ahl al-Bayt, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

مَنْ قَلَّ حَزْمُهُ ضَعُفَ عَزْمُهُ۔

This can be translated as,

One whose judiciousness is reduced, his determination is weakened.

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

The word (hazmuhu) "حَزْمُهُ" in this Hadith refers to one's judiciousness or ability to make wise decisions. It encompasses the qualities of sound judgment, prudence, and wisdom. When a person's judiciousness is diminished, it implies that they are lacking in these qualities, leading to a weakening of their determination.

The Quran provides us with numerous verses that emphasize the importance of sound judgment and wisdom. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:269),

He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and whoever is granted wisdom is indeed given a great good.

This verse highlights that wisdom is a gift from Allah, and those who possess it are blessed with a great good.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:14), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, 'This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy.'

This incident from the life of Prophet Moses (Musa) demonstrates the importance of making wise decisions in critical situations. Moses (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) realized that his action was a result of a momentary lapse in judgment, and he sought forgiveness from Allah.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) warns us about the consequences of a diminished judiciousness. When one's ability to make wise decisions is weakened, it directly impacts their determination. Determination is the strength and resolve to pursue a goal or overcome obstacles. It is the fuel that propels us forward in the face of challenges.

When a person's judiciousness is compromised, their determination becomes feeble. They may struggle to make firm decisions or lack the resolve to persevere in the face of adversity. This can lead to a lack of progress, missed opportunities, and a sense of aimlessness in life.

To illustrate this, let us consider an example. Imagine a student who has always been diligent and focused in their studies. However, due to various distractions and a lack of sound judgment, they start neglecting their academic responsibilities. As a result, their determination to excel in their studies weakens, and they begin to fall behind. Their grades suffer, and they lose sight of their goals. This decline in determination is a direct consequence of their diminished judiciousness.

It is crucial for Muslims to cultivate and maintain their judiciousness in order to strengthen their determination. This can be achieved through seeking knowledge, reflecting on the teachings of the Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and surrounding oneself with righteous companions who inspire and guide towards the path of wisdom.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the intimate connection between judiciousness and determination. When our ability to make wise decisions is compromised, our determination weakens. It is essential for Muslims to strive for sound judgment and wisdom in order to strengthen their resolve and achieve success in this life and the hereafter. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to make judicious decisions and the determination to overcome all obstacles on the path of righteousness.