Hadith #6472

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 Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

لااِعْتِبارَ لِمَنْ لااِزدِجارَ لَهُ۔

This can be translated as,

There is no lesson to be taken for the one who has no restraint.

In this beautiful saying, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the importance of self-restraint and self-discipline in acquiring knowledge and wisdom.

The word (i'tibar) "اعْتِبار" in this Hadith refers to the act of drawing lessons or deriving wisdom from a particular situation or experience. It implies the ability to reflect upon one's actions and extract valuable insights for personal growth and development. On the other hand, the word (izdiyar) "ازدِجار" means restraint or self-control. It signifies the ability to control one's desires, impulses, and emotions.

To understand the significance of self-restraint in acquiring knowledge, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Al-Qasas, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 21:73)

And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us.

This verse highlights the qualities of the righteous leaders who were chosen by Allah to guide the people. Among these qualities is the ability to exercise self-restraint and adhere to the commandments of Allah.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-A'raf, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says, (Quran 7:8-9)

And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy - it is they who will be the successful. And those whose scales are light - they are the ones who have lost themselves for what injustice they were doing toward Our verses.

These verses emphasize the importance of self-restraint and self-control in order to accumulate good deeds that will outweigh the bad deeds on the Day of Judgment.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement reminds us that knowledge without self-restraint is futile. It is not enough to simply acquire knowledge; one must also possess the ability to control one's desires and impulses in order to apply that knowledge in a beneficial and righteous manner. Without self-restraint, knowledge can be misused, leading to harmful consequences.

For example, let us consider a person who has acquired knowledge in the field of medicine but lacks self-restraint. They may possess the technical skills and knowledge to perform surgeries, but without self-control, they may become reckless and endanger the lives of their patients. On the other hand, a knowledgeable and self-restrained doctor will exercise caution, adhere to ethical principles, and prioritize the well-being of their patients.

In the context of Islamic teachings, self-restraint is essential for a Muslim to fulfill their obligations and avoid sinful actions. It is through self-restraint that one can control their desires and impulses, and adhere to the teachings of Islam. Without self-restraint, a person may fall into the traps of temptation and commit acts that are displeasing to Allah.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement serves as a reminder for Muslims to cultivate self-restraint in their pursuit of knowledge and in their daily lives. It encourages us to reflect upon our actions, exercise self-control, and seek guidance from the teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of self-restraint in acquiring knowledge and deriving wisdom. It reminds us that knowledge without self-control is meaningless and can lead to harmful consequences. As Muslims, we should strive to cultivate self-restraint in our pursuit of knowledge and in our daily lives, seeking guidance from the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his Ahl al-Bayt. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to exercise self-restraint and use our knowledge for the betterment of ourselves and society.