Hadith #991

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 limitations of human intellect in comprehending the complete essence and attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). The Imam states that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, has not revealed to the intellect the exact boundaries and limitations of His qualities. However, this does not mean that the intellect is deprived of the ability to gain necessary knowledge and understanding of Allah.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this hadith, let us examine the key words and their implications. The word (intellect) "عُقُولَ" refers to the human capacity for reasoning, understanding, and discernment. It is through the intellect that we are able to contemplate and reflect upon the signs of Allah in the universe. The word (limits) "تَحْدِيدِ" signifies the precise boundaries or parameters that define the qualities of Allah. It implies that the intellect cannot fully comprehend or define the extent of Allah's attributes.

This hadith is in line with the teachings of the Quran, which repeatedly emphasize the incomprehensibility of Allah's essence and attributes to human intellect. Allah says in Surah Al-An'am (6:103),

No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.

This verse highlights the fact that human vision is incapable of encompassing Allah's true reality. Similarly, in Surah Al-Qasas (28:88), Allah states,

And you will never be able to encompass the true nature of Allah.

The purpose of this hadith is not to discourage intellectual pursuit or understanding of Allah, but rather to remind us of the limitations of our human intellect. It serves as a reminder that while we can strive to gain knowledge and understanding of Allah's attributes through His signs and revelations, we must always acknowledge that our understanding will be limited and incomplete.

The consequences of recognizing the limitations of our intellect in comprehending Allah's qualities are profound. It instills humility within us, reminding us of our dependence on Allah's guidance and mercy. It prevents us from falling into the trap of arrogance and assuming that we can fully grasp the essence of the Divine. It encourages us to approach the study of Allah's attributes with reverence and awe, recognizing that our understanding will always be limited and that there will always be aspects of Allah's existence that are beyond our comprehension.

Moreover, this hadith serves as a motivation for continuous learning and seeking knowledge. While we may not be able to fully comprehend Allah's attributes, we are still obligated to strive for knowledge and understanding to the best of our abilities. The pursuit of knowledge is a means of drawing closer to Allah and deepening our connection with Him. It is through seeking knowledge that we can gain a deeper appreciation of Allah's greatness and magnificence.

In conclusion, this hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the limitations of our human intellect in comprehending the complete essence and attributes of Allah. It encourages us to approach the study of Allah's attributes with humility and reverence, recognizing that our understanding will always be limited. It motivates us to continuously seek knowledge and understanding, as a means of drawing closer to Allah and deepening our connection with Him. May Allah grant us the ability to gain the necessary understanding of Him and increase our knowledge of His attributes.