The Interpretation of Wisdom

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The opening of wisdom is abandoning the [illicit] pleasures, and the peak of it is to detest the transient things.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘From among [the matters of] wisdom is to avoid dispute with one who is above you, to not disesteem anyone other than yourself, to not undertake a task which is outside of your capability, to not have your tongue contradict your heart and neither your word [contradict] your action, to not speak of that which you do not know, and to not abandon a matter as it approaches only to pursue it as it retreats.

Imam al-Baqir (AS) when he was asked by Abu Basir regarding the words of Allahs verse, “and he who is given wisdom…” said, ‘It [wisdom] is obedience to Allah and true knowledge of the Imm.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily wisdom is inner knowledge and deep understanding of religion, for the one who understands among you is truly the wise man.

Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘Luqman was asked, what is the crux of your wisdom? He said, ‘I do not ask about that which I know already and I do not burden myself with that which does not concern me.