العَقلُ

THE INTELLECT *

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2– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Allah has only assigned man with an intellect so that it may one day deliver him.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 407]

3– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is the strongest foundation.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 475]

4– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is immune from wrong and commands good-doing.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1250]

5– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect sets right all matters.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 404]

6– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is a ladder upwards towards the `AeIlliyyin
[the loftiest heavens].’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1325]

7– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is the messenger of the truth.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 272]

8– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Verily the most sufficient of riches is the intellect.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 38]

9– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is the friend of the believer.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 203]

10– Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘There is no affliction worse than a lack of intellect.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 286]

11– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily Allah, exalted be His praise, created the intellect, and it is the very first thing He created amongst all the spiritual beings from the right hand side of His Throne out of His Light.’
[al-Khisal, p. 589, no. 13]

12– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Allah created the intellect out of four things from knowledge, power, light and volition. Then He caused it to subsist through knowledge and be eternal in the divine Dominion.’
[al-Ikhtisas, p. 244]

13– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘There is no wealth more productive than the intellect and no poverty lower than stupidity.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 29, no. 34]

14– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘There is no wealth more profiting than the intellect.’
[al-Ikhtisas, no. 244]

15– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The intellect is the authoritative proof of the believer.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 25, no. 24]

16– Imam al-Kazim (AS), in his advice to Hisham b. al-Íakam, said, ‘O Hisham, nothing has been bestowed upon the servants better than the intellect. The sleep of a man of intellect is better than the night vigil of an ignorant man. Every single prophet that Allah has sent down has been a man of intellect, whose intellect supercedes the labour of all diligent workers. The servant is not considered as having fulfilled an obligatory act from among the acts made incumbent by Allah until he understands it.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 397]

17– Imam al-Rida (AS) said, ‘The friend of every man is his intellect and his enemy is his ignorance.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 11, no. 4]

18– The Prophet (SAWA) asked a group of people who were praising a man, ‘How is the man’ s intellect’ to which they replied, ‘O Prophet of Allah, we are telling you about his endeavours at worship and other good acts, and you are asking us about his intellect!’ So he replied, ‘Verily the stupid person suffers as a result of his stupidity worse than the licentiousness of an immoral person. The servants will rise up in rank in the Hereafter and will receive great rewards from their Lord in proportion to their intellects.’
[Majma`a al-Bayan, v. 1, p. 487]

19– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Verily all good is grasped through the intellect, and the man devoid of intellect has no religion.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 54]

20– Imam al-Hasan (AS) said, ‘Both the abodes
[of the world and the Hereafter] are grasped by the intellect, and whoever is deprived of the intellect is deprived of them both.’
[Kashf al-Ghamma, v. 3, p. 197]

21– Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘When Allah created the intellect He said to it, ‘Come forward’ so it came forward, then commanded it, ‘Go back’ and it went back. Then He said to it, ‘By my Honour and Exaltedness, I have not created anything better than you. It is you that I command, and you that I prohibit from things, and you that I punish and you that I reward.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 26, no. 26]

22– Imam al-Baqir (AS) narrated, ‘Among what was revealed to Moses (AS) was, ‘I take My servants to account according to the level of intellect that I have given them.’
[al-Mahasin, v. 1, p. 308, no. 608]

23– Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘I found written in the Book
[i.e. the Book ascribed to Imam Ali (AS)] that the worth and value of every man is his knowledge. Verily Allah, Blessed and most High, will take people to account according to the intellects that He has given them in this world’ s life.’
[Ma`ani al-Akhbar, p. 1, no. 2]

24– Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘He who wants wealth without the need for riches, and comfort of the heart free from jealousy, and security in his faith should implore Allah, Mighty and Exalted, in his plea for Him to perfect his intellect.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 18, no. 12]

25– Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘Verily Allah has two authoritative proofs over people a manifest proof and an inward proof. The manifest proof is represented by the prophets and messengers and Imams (AS), and the inward proof is represented by the intellects.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 16, no. 12]

26– Imam al-Kazim (AS) in his advice to Hisham b. al-Hakam, said, ‘Allah has only sent His prophets and messengers to His servants in order that they may come to an understanding of Allah, so the ones who best heed their call are those who have the best inner knowledge, and the ones who know Allah’ s command the best are those that have the best intellects, and those that have the most perfect intellects will be the ones with the highest status in this world and in the Hereafter.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 16, no. 12]

27– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Verily the intellect is a lasso used to restrain ignorance, and the carnal soul is like the vilest of beasts which if left unrestrained will go wild.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 15]

28– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The intellect is a light that Allah has created for mankind and which He has ordained to illuminate the heart, in order that with it, he may know the difference between the visually manifest things and the unseen things.’
[`Aawali al-La’ ali, v. 1, p. 248, no. 4]

29– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘
[To be a man of] intellect is that you say only that which you know and act upon what you say.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2141]

30– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘
[To be a man of] intellect is to preserve your experiences, and the best of all that you have experienced is that which has taught you a lesson.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 31]

31– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There are two divisions of intellect the natural intellect and the intellect of experience, and both of them produce benefit.’
[Masalib al-Sa’ ul, p. 49]

32– Imam al-Hasan (AS) when asked about the intellect, said, ‘To suppress one’ s annoyance until the opportunity arises.’
[Ma`ani al-Akhbar, p. 240, no. 1]

33– Imam al-Hasan (AS), when his father asked him regarding the intellect, said, ‘It is for the heart to safeguard what you have deposited therein.’
[Ma`ani al-Akhbar, p. 401, no. 62]

34– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The attribute of a man of intellect is that he is clement towards one who behaves rashly with him, overlooks the fault of one who wrongs him, is humble even towards one who is lower than him in rank, tries to get ahead of those above him in his quest for good. Whenever he wishes to speak, he contemplates if what he wants to say is good, he says it and benefits as a result, and if it is bad, then he keeps quiet and remains safe as a result. When a temptation arises before him, he holds fast to Allah and guards his hand and his tongue if he sees virtue in it, he seizes it, neither losing his modesty thereat nor displaying any greed. These are ten qualities by which a man of intellect may be known.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 28]

35– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The most intelligent of people is he who is best at dealing with people.’
[Amali al-Saduq, p. 28, no. 4]

36– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The chest of a man of intellect is the strongbox of his secret.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 6]

37– Imam Ali (AS) was asked to describe a man of intellect, to which he replied, ‘He is the one who puts things in their place.’ The he was asked, ‘So describe to us the ignorant man’, to which he replied, ‘I have already done so.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 245]

38– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The man of intellect is never stung twice from the same hive.’
[al-Ikhtisas, p. 245]

39– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) was asked what the intellect was, to which he replied, ‘It is that with which The Beneficent God is worshipped and with which Paradise is attained.’ So the man asked, ‘So what about that which even Muawiya possessed’ He replied, ‘That is a vicious thing, that is devilry, and resembles intellect, though it is not intellect.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 11, no. 3]

40– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The man of intellect must be well aware of the times he lives in, attentive of his affairs and guarding of his tongue.’
[al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 116, no. 20]

41– Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘Verily the man of intellect never talks to one whom he fears will belie him, nor asks of one whom he fears will deny him, nor promises that which he is not able to fulfil, nor hopes for that which will dash his hopes, nor attempts to advance towards that which he fears he will be incapable of reaching.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 390]

42– Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘Verily the man of intellect contents himself with less worldly things when accompanied with wisdom, and does not content himself with less wisdom and more worldly things, and this is why their trade
[of the transient for the permanent] profits them.’
[al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 17, no. 12]

43– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is an intrinsic thing that increases with knowledge and experiences.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1717]

44– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘By abandoning that which does not concern you, your intellect will be completed.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4291]

45– Imam al-Husayn (AS), when he reminded Muawiya of
[the use of] his intellect, said, ‘The intellect is only perfected through following the truth’ , to which Muawiya replied, ‘There is only one thing in your chests
[i.e. you attribute everything to the truth].’
[A`alam al-Din, p. 298]

46– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Frequent study of matters of knowledge opens the intellect.’
[al-Da`aawat, p. 221, no. 603]

47– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Frequent study of matters of wisdom fertilizes the intellect.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 364]

48– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The perfection of the intellect lies in three things humility before Allah, strong conviction, and silence except when speaking good.’
[al-Ikhtisas, p. 244]

49– The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Indeed among the signs of intellect are withdrawal from the Abode of Delusion
[i.e. this worldly life] and frequenting instead the Abode of Eternity, making provisions for the sojourn in the graves and preparation for the Day of Resurrection.’
[A`alam al-Din, p. 333]

50– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect of every man can be determined by the words that flow on his tongue.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10957]

51– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Your messenger is the interpreter of your intellect, and your letter is more eloquent at expressing your true self.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 301]

52– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There are six things by which people’ s intellects may be tested clemency at the time of anger, patience at the time of fear, calculation when faced with a desire, Godwariness at all times, amicableness, and minimal engagement in disputation.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5608]

53– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There are six things by which men’ s intellects may be tested the company they keep, their dealings, where their allegiance lies, their disassociation from people, their wealth and their poverty.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5600]

54– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘People’ s intellects can be tested when they speak impulsively.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6221]

55– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A man’ s opinion is the measure of his intellect.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5422]

56– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The abundance of reason is an indication of flourishing intellect.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7091]

57– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘When intellect is complete speech decreases.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 71]

58– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He whose intellect is perfected regards carnal desires with disdain.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8226]

59– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect disappears between the whims and the carnal desires.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5180]

60– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The loss of the intellect occurs in the quest for all that is superfluous.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5901]

61– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Man’ s admiration and satisfaction with himself is a proof of his weak intellect.’
[Kanz al-Fawa’ id li al-Karajiki, v. 1, p. 200]

62– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Whoever keeps the company of an ignorant man incurs a loss in his intellect.’
[Kanz al-Fawa’ id li al-Karajiki, v. 1, p. 199]

63– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Whenever a man cracks a joke, a part of his intellect trickles away.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 450]

64– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who abandons listening to intellectual people, his own intellect dies.’
[Kanz al-Fawa’ id li al-Karajiki, v. 1, p. 199]

65– Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘No sooner does an iota of pride enter a man’ s heart than he incurs a loss in his intellect.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 768, p. 186, no. 16]

66– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘When intellect is little, superfluity thrives.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4043]

67– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He whose intellect is weak has bad oratory.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7985]

68– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Evidence of lack of intellect is keeping company with ignorant people.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9299]

69– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Overly high aspirations are a result of a corrupt intellect.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7093]

70– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The fruit of the intellect is steadfastness.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4589]

71– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The fruit of the intellect is adherence to the truth.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4602]

72– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The fruit of the intellect is contempt for this worldly life and repression of one’ s whims.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4654]

73– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is a tree the fruit of which is generosity and modesty.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1254]

74– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The caprice is the intellect’ s adversary.’
[Masalib al-Sa’ ul, p. 56]

75– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Many a slavish mind is subservient to an overpowering caprice!’
[Nahj al-Balagha, no. 211]

76– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Allah has imposed … the abandonment of drinking alcohol in order to safeguard the intellect.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 252]

77– Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Know that entertaining high hopes distracts the intellect and causes one to forget their remembrance
[of Allah].’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 86]

78– Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The caprice is awake while the intellect is asleep.’
[al-Durra al-Bahira, p. 31]

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* In this chapter the Arabic word ‘aql has been translated as ‘intellect’ to denote one’ s mental ability to think, reason and understand (ed.)