Chapter 2 - On The Intellect — Mishkāt al-Anwār

hadith 1466

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Avoid fighting with the seditious people. Their arguments will be invalidated with the passage of time. When their time is over, they will be busy with their deeds which will burn them.”

عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال

إياكم وجدال كل مفتون ملقى حجته إلى انقضاء مدته، فإذا انقضت مدته أشغلته خطيئته فأحرقته.

hadith 1467

In Al-Mahasin it is narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said

“When God created the intellect, He said: “Come forward.” It came forward. Then God the Almighty said: “Go back.” Then the intellect went back. Then God said: “I swear by My Majesty and Honor that I have not created any better creature than you. I will question through you, I will forgive through you, and I will reward through you.”

من كتاب المحاسن: قال الصادق (عليه السلام): لما أن خلق الله العقل قال له: أقبل! فأقبل، ثم قال له: أدبر! فأدبر، فقال: وعزتي وجلالي ما خلقت خلقا أحب إلي منك، بك آخذ وبك أعطي وعليك أثيب.

hadith 1468

Imam Ali (a.s) narrated that Gabriel descended upon Adam (a.s) and said

“O' Adam! I have been appointed to let you choose one of the following three and let go of the other two.” Adam asked: “O' Gabriel! What are they?” Gabriel said: “They are intellect, shame and religion.” Adam said: “I will choose the intellect.” Gabriel ordered shame and religion to leave, but they said: “O' Gabriel! We are appointed to accompany the intellect wherever it is.” Gabriel said: “Do as you please” and ascended to Heaven.”

عن علي (عليه السلام) قال

هبط جبرئيل على آدم - صلوات الله عليه - فقال: يا آدم، إني أمرت أن أخيرك في ثلاث، فاختر واحدة ودع اثنتين، فقال له آدم: يا جبرئيل، وما الثلاث؟ قال: العقل، والحياء، والدين، فقال آدم: فإني قد اخترت العقل، فقال جبرئيل للحياء والدين: انصرفا ودعاه، فقالا: يا جبرئيل، إنا أمرنا أن نكون مع العقل حيث كان، قال: فشأنكما، وعرج.

hadith 1469

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “There is no use in a person who lacks the following five: religion, intellect, politeness, freedom, and being good-tempered.”

عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال

خمس من لم تكن فيه لم يكن فيه كثير مستمع، قلت: وما هي جعلت فداك؟ قال: الدين، والعقل، والأدب، والحرية، وحسن الخلق.

hadith 1470

Imam Sadiq (a.s) quoted on the authority of God's Prophet (a.s)

“Whenever they admire someone for his good behavior, consider his good intellect since he will be rewarded according to his intellect.”

عنه (عليه السلام): قال

قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): إذا بلغكم عن رجل حسن حاله فانظروا في حسن عقله فإنما يجازي بعقله.

hadith 1472

Imam Kazim (a.s) said: “God did not appoint any Prophets who lacked intelligence. Some of the Prophets were superior to others. The Prophet David did not let Solomon take his place until after he tested his intelligence. David appointed Solomon to take his position when he reached the age of thirteen, and he ruled for forty years.”

عن أبي الحسن موسى بن جعفر (عليه السلام) قال

ما بعث الله نبيا قط إلا عاقلا، وبعض النبيين أرجح من بعض، وما استخلف داود سليمان حتى اختبر عقله واستخلف داود [سليمان] (عليهما السلام) وهو ابن ثلاث عشرة سنة، ومكث في ملكه أربعين سنة.

hadith 1473

Imam Baqir (a.s) quoted on the authority of Imam Sajjad (a.s): “Whenever God decides to have something done, He will take away the people's intellect, and return it afterwards. Have you not heard the people say

“I was out of my mind when I did that!”

عن الباقر (عليه السلام) قال

كان علي بن الحسين (عليهما السلام) يقول: إذا أراد الله أمرا أخذ فيه بعقول الناس حتى ينفذ أمره، ثم يرد إليهم عقولهم، ألا ترى إلى قول الرجل: فعلت كذا وكذا وكان عقلي ليس معي!.

hadith 1474

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “There is a ruling in the Quran for whatever the people quarrel over, but the people's intelligence is not enough to realize it.”

عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال

ما من أمر يختلف فيه اثنان إلا وله أصل في كتاب الله عز وجل، ولكن لا يبلغه عقول الرجال.

hadith 1475

Imam Reza (a.s) narrated that once when a mule bit and injured the Prophet of God (a.s), a group of the people of Quraysh went to visit him and said

“It should have been better if there were two or three of your servants next to you when you wanted to ride it.” The Prophet (a.s) said: “When God the Almighty wants something done, He will place a curtain between man and his heart. When what He wished gets done, He will return the intellect to all the intelligent people.”

عن أبي الحسن الرضا (عليه السلام): إن عدة من قريش جاؤوا يعودونه بشئ

كان أصابه من عض برذون، فقالوا: لو كنت إذا ركبت كان معك الغلامان أو الثلاثة قريبا من دابتك؟ فقال: إن الله عز وجل إذا أراد أمرا حال بين المرء وقلبه، فإذا وقع القدر ونفذ أمر الله رد إلى كل ذي عقل عقله.

hadith 1476

In Rauzat al-Vaezeen it is narrated that Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said

“The intellect is a sharp sword. Use it to fight with your selfish desires.”

ومن كتاب روضة الواعظين: قال أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام): العقل حسام قاطع، قاتل هواك بعقلك.

hadith 1477

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “The highest level of intelligence other than faith in God is expressing love for the people.”

قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): رأس العقل بعد الإيمان بالله تعالى التحبب إلى الناس.

hadith 1478

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “God has divided the intellect into three parts. Whoever possesses all three is perfectly intelligent, but whoever lacks them lacks intelligence. They are: a thorough recognition of God, performance of one's duties to God, and good perseverance in carrying out God's commands.”

وقال (صلى الله عليه وآله): قسم الله العقل على ثلاثة أجزاء، فمن كانت فيه كمل عقله، ومن لم تكن فيه فلا عقل له: حسن المعرفة بالله، وحسن الطاعة له، وحسن الصبر على أمره.

hadith 1479

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “No less than five characteristics are distributed among the servants of God: certitude, contentment, perseverance, and gratitude, and intelligence which perfects them all.”

قال الصادق (عليه السلام): لم يقسم بين العباد أقل من الخمس: اليقين، والقنوع، والصبر، والشكر، والذي يكمل به هذا كله العقل.

hadith 1480

Imam Reza (a.s) was asked: “What is the intellect?” He replied: “Swallowing your sorrow, shrewdness with the enemy, and treating friends with kindness.”

سئل الرضا (عليه السلام) فقيل: ما العقل؟ قال: التجرع للغصة ومداهنة الأعداء ومداراة الأصدقاء.

hadith 1481

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “The chest of the intelligent is his box of secrets. Nothing makes you more self-sufficient than intelligence. Nothing makes you more poor than ignorance. No inheritance is better than politeness. Whenever you hear some news, think about it. Analyze it rather than narrating it, since there are many who narrate but there are only a few who think. No wealth is more stable than intelligence, and no intelligence is better than management. An intelligent person should be a model in improving his living conditions, considering his Hereafter, and seeking pleasures that are not forbidden. God Has lent you the intellect and He will one day take it back.”

قال أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام): صدر العاقل صندوق سره، ولا غنى كالعقل ولا فقر كالجهل ولا ميراث كالأدب، اعقلوا الخبر إذا سمعتموه، عقل رعاية لا عقل رواية، فإن رواة العلم كثير ورعاته قليل، لا مال أعود من العقل ولا عقل كالتدبير، وليس للعاقل أن يكون شاخصا إلا في ثلاث: مرمة لمعاش، أو خطوة في معاد، أو لذة في غير محرم، ما استودع الله امرأ عقلا إلا استنقذه به يوما ما.

hadith 1482

They asked the Prophet of God (a.s) about the intellect. He said: “The intelligent people are those who obey God and act accordingly.”

قيل للنبي (صلى الله عليه وآله): ما العقل؟ قال: العمل بطاعة الله، وإن العمال بطاعة الله هم العقلاء.

hadith 1483

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “God the Almighty created the intellect from light which was hidden in His treasure of knowledge from before, and none of the appointed Prophets or nearby-stationed angels had any access to that treasure. He then established knowledge as its life, understanding as its soul, abstinence as its head, shame as its eyes, wisdom as its tongue, kindness as its concern, and mercy as its heart. He then strengthened it with certitude, faith, honesty, tranquility, sincerity, kindness, generosity, contentment, submission and perseverance. Then God ordered it to go back and it did. Then God ordered it to come forward, and it did. Then God ordered it to talk. It said

“Praise be to God, who has no one to oppose Him, no one to equal Him, no one to be like Him and no one to match Him- the One to whom everything is humble, and everything is in humility”. God then said: “I swear by My Majesty and Honor and I have not created any creatures better, nobler, dearer, or more obedient than you. I am recognized to be the only One to be worshipped through you. I am called by you. I am the place for the people to turn to for hope through you. The people will fear Me and are cautious through you. Reward and punishment is given through you. The intellect was proud of hearing these words and fell prostrate to worship. This prostration in worship lasted one thousand years. Then God the Almighty said: “Now raise your head, and ask Me to grant you, and intercede to be accepted by Me. Then the intellect raised its head and said: “I ask You to accept my intercession on behalf of any one who is intelligent.” God, may His Majesty be Exalted told the angels: “Witness that I have accepted its intercession on behalf of anyone to whom I grant intelligence.”

قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): إن الله تبارك وتعالى خلق العقل من نور مخزون مكنون في سابق علمه الذي لم يطلع عليه نبي مرسل ولا ملك مقرب، فجعل العلم نفسه والفهم روحه والزهد رأسه والحياء عينيه والحكمة لسانه والرأفة همته والرحمة قلبه، ثم حشاه وقواه بعشرة أشياء: باليقين، والإيمان، والصدق، والسكينة، والإخلاص، والرفق، والعطية، والقنوع، والتسليم، والصبر، ثم قال له عز وجل: أدبر، فأدبر، ثم قال له: أقبل، فأقبل، ثم قال له: تكلم، فقال: الحمد لله الذي ليس له ضد ولاند ولا شبيه ولا كفو ولا عديل، ولا مثل، الذي كل شئ لعظمته خاضع ذليل. فقال الرب - تبارك وتعالى - وعزتي وجلالي ما خلقت خلقا أحسن منك، ولا أطوع لي منك [ولا أرفع منك، ولا أشرف منك] ولا أعز منك، بك أوحد وبك اعبد، وبك ادعى وبك ارتجى، وبك ابتغى وبك أخاف وبك احذر، وبك الثواب وبك العقاب، فخر العقل عند ذلك ساجدا، فكان في سجوده ألف عام. فقال الرب تبارك وتعالى: ارفع رأسك وسل تعط واشفع تشفع، فرفع العقل رأسه فقال: إني أسألك أن تشفعني فيمن خلقتني فيه، فقال الله جل جلاله لملائكته: أشهدكم أني قد شفعته فيمن خلقته فيه إذا أطاع العقل.

hadith 1484

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “The intellect of women is in their beauty, and the beauty of men is in their intelligence.”

قال أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام): عقول النساء في جمالهن، وجمال الرجال في عقولهم.

hadith 1485

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Man's essence is his wisdom, and his intellect is his religion. We can recognize his manliness through what he engages himself in. Times change, but all the people are related to each other all the way up to Adam.”

وقال (عليه السلام) أيضا: أصل الإنسان لبه وعقله ودينه ومروءته حيث يجعل نفسه، والأيام دول والناس إلى آدم شرع سواء.

hadith 1486

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “A man's esteem is due to his religion, manliness and intelligence.”

قال الباقر (عليه السلام): حسب المرء دينه ومروءته وعقله.

hadith 1487

Imam Sadiq (a.s) has been narrated to have said

“God the Almighty gave the angels intellect and no lust, and gave the animals lust and no intellect, and gave man both lust and intellect. Whoever can use his intellect to overcome his lust is better than the angels, and whoever whose intellect is overwhelmed by lust is worse than animals.”

روي عن الصادق (عليه السلام)

إنه قال: إن الله تعالى ركب العقل في الملائكة بدون الشهوة، وركب الشهوة في البهائم بدون العقل، وركبهما جميعا في بني آدم، فمن غلب عقله على شهوته كان خيرا من الملائكة، ومن غلبت شهوته على عقله كان شرا من البهائم.

hadith 1488

In Elal al-Sharayeh it is narrated that Imam Reza (a.s) said

“One's intellect is his friend, and one's ignorance is his enemy.”

من كتاب علل الشرائع: قال الرضا (عليه السلام): صديق كل امرئ عقله وعدوه جهله.

hadith 1489

The Prophet (a.s) said: “O' Ali! Whenever the people seek to approach God with their good deeds, you should try to approach God with your intellect so that you get ahead of them. We, the Prophets of God, talk with the people according to their level of intelligence.”

قال النبي (صلى الله عليه وآله): يا علي، إذا تقرب العباد إلى خالقهم بالبر فتقرب إليه بالعقل تسبقهم، إنا معاشر الأنبياء نكلم الناس على قدر عقولهم.

hadith 1490

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “I am appointed to talk with the people according to their level of intelligence.”

قال رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): أمرت أن أكلم الناس على قدر عقولهم.

hadith 1491

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “Do not be amazed at someone accepting Islam until you realize what he firmly believes in.”

وقال (صلى الله عليه وآله): لا يعجبكم إسلام رجل حتى تعلموا ما عقدة عقله.

hadith 1492

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “There is a reward for any act, and the best reward is intelligence.”

وقال (صلى الله عليه وآله): كل شئ من أبواب البر ثواب، وأفضل الثواب العقل.

hadith 1493

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “God has not distributed anything better than intelligence among his servants. the sleeping of an intelligent person is better than a foolish person's being awake. God perfected the intellect of anyone He appointed as a Prophet, in such way that he was the most intelligent person in his nation, even though there might have been ones who tried harder than him to worship God.”

وقال (صلى الله عليه وآله): ما قسم الله للعباد بشئ أفضل من العقل، نوم العاقل أفضل من سهر الأحمق، وما بعث الله نبيا ولا رسولا حتى يستكمل العقل، وكان عقله أفضل من عقل جميع أمته، وعسى أن يكون في أمته من هو أشد اجتهادا منه.

hadith 1494

People were talking about the wealth of the Syrians and the poverty of the Iraqis in the presence of Ameer al-Momineen (a.s). He said: “Do you not know that one's intelligence is also counted as a part of his daily bread?”

ذكر بين يدي أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام) ثروة أهل الشام وفقر أهل العراق، فقال: أما علمتم أن عقل الرجل محسوب عليه من رزقه.

hadith 1495

In Al-Zuhd it has been narrated that either Imam Baqir (a.s) or Imam Sadiq (a.s) said

“When God created the intellect, He said: “Come forward.” It came forward. Then God said: “Go back.” Then the intellect went back. Then God said: “I swear by My Majesty and Honor that I have not created any creature better than you. I will question through you, I will forgive through you, and I will reward through you.”

من كتاب الزهد: عن محمد بن مسلم عن أحدهما (عليهما السلام) قال

لما خلق الله العقل قال له: أدبر فأدبر، ثم قال له: أقبل فأقبل، فقال: فوعزتي ما خلقت خلقا هو أحسن منك، إياك آمر وإياك أنهى، وإياك أعاقب وإياك أثيب.

hadith 1496

Imam Kazim (a.s) said: “God created the intellect, then He said: “Come forward, and go back.” It came forward and went back. Then God said: “I swear by My Majesty and Honor that I have not created anything better and dearer than you. I will question through you, and I will forgive through you.”

قال أبو الحسن (عليه السلام): إن الله خلق العقل، فقال له: أقبل وأدبر، فأقبل وأدبر، فقال: وعزتي ما خلقت شيئا أحسن منك وأحب إلي منك، بك آخذ وبك أعطي.

hadith 1497

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Man's pillar is the intellect. Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are all rooted in the intellect, and are perfected by it. The intellect is man's guide, vision and key to his affairs. When man's intellect is certified by divine light, he will become understanding, wise, (a mental), guardian (of the Quran), and knowledgeable. Then he will know where he is, what he is and why he is there. He will know his friends and his enemies. Then he will know the way to live, to arrive and depart. He will sincerely confess to the unity of God and obey Him. Then he can make up for what is lost, and be in control of the future. He will know his position, why he is where he is, and where he has come from, and to where he is going. All these are certified by the intellect.”

عن أبي عبد الله (عليه السلام) قال

دعامة الإسلام العقل، ومنه الفطنة والفهم والحفظ والعلم، وبالعقل يكمل وهو دليله ومبصره ومفتاح أمره، فإذا كان تأييد عقله من النور كان عالما حافظا زاكيا فطنا فهما، فعلم بذلك كيف ولم وحيث، وعرف من نصحه ومن غشه، فإذا عرف ذلك عرف مجراه وموصوله ومفصوله وأخلص له الوحدانية لله والإقرار بالطاعة، فإذا فعل ذلك كان مستدركا لما فات، واردا على ما هو آت فعرف ما هو فيه، ولأي شئ هو هاهنا، ومن أين يأتي وإلى ما هو صائر، وذلك كله من تأييد العقل.

In this chapter filtered by Intellect/Reason