Posted by Admin
Saturday, Feb 25 2023
Filed under Qurʾān & Tafsīr
From the names of Allāh are (الحكيم), the all-Wise and (العليم), the all-Knowing. Each of these two names necessitates the other and it is why they are often mentioned together in the Qurʾān.[1]
As for the meaning of “al-Ḥakīm”:[2]
He who does not speak or do except what is correct, and He is worthy of being described with that because His actions are upright, His handiwork [of creation] is precise, and an upright precise deed does not come except from a wise one (ḥakīm), just as a deed does not come out of choice except from ]he who is] living (حي), knowing (عالم), able (قدير).
The wisdom of Allāh lies firstly, in what He created, He created it with precision and perfect arrangement and organisation. Secondly, His wisdom also lies in the purpose for which He created what He created, which is not in vain and without purpose, which is for Men and Jinn to worship Him for their benefit and well-being. And then thirdly, His wisdom lies in what He legislated which comprises all good and rectification.
Once this is clear, then from the best of what a man can be granted is the attribute of wisdom.
Allāh (عز وجل) said:[3]
He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good.
Imām al-Ṭabarī (رحمه الله) said:[4]
The interpretation of the speech is that Allāh grants [the ability] to arrive at the truth in speech and deed to whomever He wills, and whoever Allāh gives that to, then He has given him much good.
And the Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:[5]
No jealousy is to be shown except regarding two: A man Allāh has given wealth to and he spends it in truth and a man given wisdom by Allāh who then judges by and enacts it.
Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) defined wisdom:[6]
Wisdom is doing what is befitting, in the way that is befitting, at the time that is befitting.
This is an excellent definition from Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) as it allows us to see wherein lie the differences among the people in their levels of wisdom (or its absence). For not everyone does that which is befitting, and if they do, then it is not in the way that is befitting, and if they do, then it is not at the time and occasion that is befitting. This is why the one given wisdom who combines all these things in his speech and deed has been given a great deal of good and it is also why wisdom comes with age.
We ask Allāh to grant us wisdom.
Footnotes
1. See the Qurʾān, ( إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَلِيمُ الْحَكِيمُ ) “Indeed, He is the all-Knowing, all-Wise.” (12:100), ( إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْعَلِيمُ ) “Indeed, He is the all-Wise, all-Knowing.” (51:30), ( إِنَّ رَبَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ ) “Indeed, your Lord is all-Wise, all-Knowing.” (6:128)2. Al-Bayḥaqī in al=Asmāʾ wal-Ṣifāt (1/67)
3. Al-Baqarah (2/269)
4. Jāmiʿ al-Bayān (3/60)
5. Related by al-Bukhārī and Muslim.
6. Al-Madārij (2/449)
