The Book of Intelligence and Ignorance

“When Allah (swt) created the intellect (al-'Aql) He made it speak and said to it, ‘Come forward', so it came forward. He then said, 'Go back' and it went back. Then Allah said, 'I swear by My Honor and Glory that I have…

“Once Jibril came to Adam (as) and said, ‘I am ordered to offer you three choices. You may choose one and leave the other two. Adam then asked, “What are those three things?” Jibril replied, ‘They are intelligence,…

'What is intellect (al-'Aql)?'. He said, ‘It is what someone worships ar-Rahman with and attains paradise.’ I then asked, 'What was the thing within Mu'awiya?'. He replied, ‘That was heinousness, that was devilry and it…

he heard (Imam) al-Ridha (as) saying, “The friend of every person is his intellect and his enemy is ignorance.”

“I told Abul Hasan (al-Ridha) (as), 'We know of a people who have love [for the Ahlul-bayt] but they do not have much determination [in understanding their imamate], they make such claims.' He then replied, 'They are not…

“Whoever has intelligence has religion and whoever has religion enters paradise."

“On the Day of Judgment, Allah will hold everyone accountable according to the degree of intelligence He had given them in their worldly life.”

I said to Abā ʿAbdillah al-Sadiq (as), "So-and-so is from his worship, religion, and virtue." He said, "What about his intellect?" I replied, "I do not know." He said, "Indeed, the reward is based on the measure of…

Rasulullah (sw) said, “If you would hear good things about a man, you should examine how good his intelligence is, because he will be recompensed according to his intelligence.”

“I mentioned to Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) a man who was afflicted with doubts in his ablution and prayer (constantly repeating them) and added that he is an intelligent man.” Abu 'Abdillah then said, ‘What kind of…

“Allah has not distributed anything among the servants more excellent than intelligence. The sleeping of a person of intelligence is better than the vigil of an ignorant person, and the staying of a person of…

“Abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far stated the following to me. ‘O Hisham, Allah has given good news to the people of reason and understanding in His book in the following words, “ Give the good news to those of My servants…

“Intelligence is a complete cover (protection) for one and extra knowledge and skills are evident beauty. Compensate your physical shortcomings with your extra knowledge and skills. Fight your desires with help from your…

"I was with Abu Abdullah (a.s) and a group of his followers were also present. The discussion turned to the topics of intellect and ignorance. Abu Abdullah (a.s) said: 'Recognize intellect and its soldiers, and ignorance…

We, the community of Prophets, were commanded to speak to people according to their level of intellect."

“Greed motivates the hearts of the ignorant people, longings and yearning keep them as hostages and deceit clings to them.”

"The most perfect of people in intellect are the best of them in character."

“We were in the presence of Imam al-Rida (a.s) that a discussion about intelligence took place and the Imam said, “O abu Hashim, intelligence is a present from Allah but discipline is a skill and burden. One who would…

‘May I be your ransom, I have a neighbor who does a lot of salaat, gives a lot in charity and very often does hajj and there is no flaw with him.’ He asked, 'O Ibn Ishaq how is his intelligence?'. I then said, 'May I be…

“Ibn Sukayt asked Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s), ‘Why did Allah sent Moses with the miracle appearing through his staff and through his hand and means of magic, Jesus with means of medical tasks and Prophet Muhammad (may…

"When our Qa’im (Imam al-Mahdi) rises, Allah will place His hand over the heads of His servants and He will place their intelligence together and complete their understanding.”

“The hujjah (proof) of Allah over the worshippers is the Prophet (sw) and the hujjah (proof) between Allah and the people is the intellect (al-'Aql).”

“Intelligence is the support for man. From intelligence come intelligence, understanding, memorization and knowledge and with intelligence he gains perfection. Intelligence is his guide, his instructor and the key to his…

“Intelligence (al-'Aql) is the guide of a believer.”

Rasulullah (sw) said, "Oh Ali, no poverty is more sever than ignorance and no wealth is more profitable than intelligence.”

“When Allah (swt) created the intellect (al-'Aql) He made it speak and said to it, ‘Come forward', so it came forward. He then said, 'Go back' and it went back. Then Allah said, 'I swear by My Honor and Glory that I have…

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s), “A man comes to me and as soon as I speak to him only a part of what I want to say he understands it all. There are also people who come to me and I speak to them all that I want to speak…

“Rasulullah (sw) said, ‘When you find a man who prays and fasts a great deal do not become proud of him until you see how his intelligence he is.”

“ O Mufaddal one can never gain success until he understands and one can never understand until he acquires knowledge. One who understands can very soon excel. One who exercises patience can very soon triumph. Knowledge…

“If one would establish firmly in himself one good quality for me I will credit him for it and forgive his other shortcomings but I will not forgive him for his losing intelligence and religion because departing religion…

Self glorification is an indication of the weakness of one’s intelligence.’

"Those without intellect (al-'Aql) are not regarded among the people of religion." I said, "May I be your ransom, some describe this matter (i.e. Imamah) to a group who are acceptable to us, yet lack such intelligence."…

“There is nothing (or no difference) between belief and disbelief, but lack of intelligence." So he asked him, “How is that so oh son of Rasulullah (sw)?”. He replied, "Indeed, when a servant raises his desire to a…

“Through intellect, the essence of wisdom is extracted, and through wisdom, the essence of intellect is extracted. With good governance [of one's actions], righteous manners will be formed." He also used to say,…

The first, the beginning, the force and the structure of something is that without which something would be of no benefit. The thing that Allah has made beauty and light for His creatures, the people, is intelligence.…

No wealth is more profitable than intelligence, and no poverty is more limiting than foolishness and never is showing-off in a matter more beneficial than consulting it [with others]."