Hadith #7010

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 Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states,

العُقُولُ مَواهِبُ، الآدابُ مَكاسِبُ۔

This profound saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of both intellect and etiquettes in the life of a Muslim.

Let us first delve into the meaning of the key words in this Hadith. "العُقُولُ" refers to intellects or minds, which are bestowed upon individuals as gifts from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). It is through the intellect that humans are able to reason, understand, and make decisions. "مَواهِبُ" refers to gifts or blessings, indicating that intellect is a divine favor upon humanity.

On the other hand, "الآدابُ" refers to etiquettes or manners, which are acquired and earned through conscious effort and practice. It highlights the importance of cultivating good behavior and manners in our daily lives. "مَكاسِبُ" refers to earnings or acquisitions, implying that etiquettes are something that can be acquired and developed through conscious effort and practice.

To further understand the significance of this Hadith, let us turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Qasas, verse 14:

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, (Quran 28:15)

This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy.

This verse highlights the importance of intellect in making the right decisions. Prophet Moses (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) used his intellect to assess the situation and defend the oppressed. However, due to a momentary lapse in judgment, he unintentionally caused harm. This incident teaches us the importance of using our intellects wisely and being mindful of our actions. Additionally, the Quran emphasizes the significance of etiquettes and good manners. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 11: (Quran 49:11)

O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent - then it is those who are the wrongdoers."

This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and dignity, regardless of their background or social status. It reminds us to refrain from ridiculing or insulting others, as it goes against the principles of good manners and etiquettes. By practicing good manners, we not only earn the respect of others but also strengthen the bonds of unity and brotherhood within the Muslim community.

In light of these Quranic verses, we can understand the profound wisdom behind Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) statement. The intellects bestowed upon us by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) are gifts that enable us to reason, understand, and make informed decisions. However, it is through the acquisition of etiquettes and good manners that we truly manifest the blessings of our intellects.

By cultivating good manners, we demonstrate our gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for the gift of intellect and contribute to a harmonious and respectful society. Good manners are not innate, but rather earned through conscious effort and practice. They require us to be mindful of our words, actions, and interactions with others.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the importance of both intellect and etiquettes in the life of a Muslim. Our intellects are divine gifts that enable us to navigate through the complexities of life, while etiquettes are acquired through conscious effort and practice. By utilizing our intellects wisely and cultivating good manners, we can strive to become better individuals and contribute to a more harmonious society. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom to understand and implement the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) in our lives.