Hadith #7076

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.

In this profound hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), he highlights the significance of intellect and knowledge, while also emphasizing the dangers of ignorance and deviation. Let us delve into the exegesis of this hadith, exploring its meanings and implications in the light of the Quran.

The hadith begins by stating,

The straying of the intellect is the most serious deviation.

Here, the word (straying) "ضَلالُ" refers to going astray or deviating from the right path. It signifies a departure from the guidance and wisdom that the intellect is capable of attaining. The intellect, when not guided by divine knowledge and understanding, can lead one to erroneous beliefs and actions. This deviation is described as the most serious, as it has the potential to misguide individuals and distance them from the truth.

To further comprehend the gravity of this deviation, we can turn to the Quran. In Surah Yunus (10:100), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And it is not for a soul to believe except by permission of Allah, and He will place defilement upon those who will not use reason.

This verse emphasizes the importance of using reason and intellect in matters of faith. It highlights that true belief is not attained without the guidance of Allah and the proper utilization of one's intellect. Therefore, straying from the right path due to a misguided intellect is indeed a grave deviation.

The second part of the hadith states,

The abasement (or error) of ignorance is the greatest abasement (or error).

Here, the word (abasement) "ذِلَّة" refers to humiliation or degradation. It signifies the state of being lowly and lacking knowledge. Ignorance, in this context, refers to the absence of knowledge and understanding. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights that the errors and mistakes committed due to ignorance are the greatest form of abasement.

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the importance of knowledge and the consequences of ignorance. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:6), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

This verse encourages believers to seek knowledge and verify information before acting upon it. It warns against harming others due to ignorance and emphasizes the need to avoid regrettable actions resulting from a lack of knowledge.

Reflecting on this hadith, we understand that the intellect, when guided by divine knowledge and understanding, leads to righteousness and enlightenment. It enables individuals to make informed decisions, avoid deviations, and stay on the right path. On the other hand, ignorance and the absence of knowledge can lead to errors, humiliation, and regrettable actions.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge, nurturing the intellect, and avoiding ignorance. He encourages Muslims to constantly strive for understanding and wisdom, as it is through knowledge that one can attain true guidance and avoid the pitfalls of deviation and humiliation.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to value and utilize their intellect in seeking knowledge and understanding. It warns against the dangers of straying from the right path due to a misguided intellect and emphasizes the need to avoid ignorance and its associated errors. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the wisdom and guidance to seek knowledge and use our intellect in a manner that pleases Him.