Hadith #7193

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, the Ahl al-Bayt (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), and his noble companions.

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

أعْقَلُ النّاسِ مَنْ غَلَبَ جِدُّهُ هَزْلَهُ، واسْتَظْهَرَ عَلى هَواهُ بِعَقْلِهِ۔

This Hadith emphasizes the importance of intelligence and the ability to control one's desires and frivolity with the power of intellect.

Let us delve into the deeper meaning of this Hadith by examining its key words. "أعْقَلُ" refers to the most intelligent or wise person. "غَلَبَ" means to overpower or dominate, while "جِدُّهُ" refers to seriousness or earnestness. "هَزْلَهُ" signifies frivolity or light-heartedness. "اسْتَظْهَرَ" means to overcome or conquer, and "هَوَاهُ" refers to vain desires or whims. Finally, "بِعَقْلِهِ" signifies with one's intellect.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reminds us 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 the importance of righteousness and piety as the true measure of superiority in the sight of Allah. It is through the application of intellect and the control of one's desires that a person can attain righteousness. The most intelligent person is the one who understands the consequences of their actions and strives to align their behavior with the teachings of Islam.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:56), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) states,

Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

This verse reminds us that true guidance comes from Allah alone. It is through the application of intellect and the sincere desire to seek the truth that one can be guided by Allah. The most intelligent person is the one who humbly submits to the guidance of Allah and seeks knowledge and understanding with a sincere heart.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Hadith teaches us that true intelligence lies in the ability to prioritize seriousness over frivolity. It is about recognizing the importance of our actions and the consequences they may have in this life and the hereafter. The intelligent person understands that life is not merely a source of amusement, but a test from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and an opportunity to strive for righteousness.

Moreover, the Hadith emphasizes the need to overcome vain desires with intellect. This means that the intelligent person is not driven solely by their whims and desires, but rather makes decisions based on rational thinking and the guidance of Islam. They are able to control their desires and make choices that align with the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

For example, an intelligent person may be faced with the temptation to engage in dishonest practices for personal gain. However, their intellect guides them to understand the importance of honesty and integrity in Islam. They overcome their desire for immediate gratification and choose the path of righteousness, knowing that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) is the ultimate judge and rewarder.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true intelligence lies in the ability to prioritize seriousness over frivolity and to overcome vain desires with intellect. It is through the application of intellect and the control of our desires that we can attain righteousness and strive to be the best versions of ourselves in the sight of Allah. May Allah grant us the wisdom and understanding to live our lives in accordance with His guidance.