Islam Muslim definition of wisdom

mindlight said:

What is the Muslim definition of wisdom? Which suras succinctly express it? How does it differ with Christian or broadly accepted secular understandings today?

In the bible Solomon is hailed as the example of wisdom and books by him like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes hold many examples of his wisdom.

Click to expand...

William C. Chittick tells us that the word ‘hikma’ (‘wisdom’) is mentioned twenty times in the Qur’an; and that the basic adjective derived from it, ‘hakim’ (‘wise’ or ‘sage’) is mentioned ninety-seven times.

According to Chittick, ‘hakim’ is used ninety-one times as a name of Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla); and on six occasions it is applied to the Qur’an itself (see: ‘The Heart of Islamic Philosophy: The Quest for Self-Knowledge in the Teachings of Afdal al-Din Kashani’).

According to the Qur’an, it is Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) who teaches wisdom; and that this has been given specifically to the prophets, and to others. He tell us: ‘Satan threatens you with the prospect of poverty and commands you to do foul deeds; Allāh promises you His forgiveness and His abundance: Allāh is limitless and all knowing, and He gives wisdom to whoever He will. Whoever is given wisdom has truly been given much good, but only those with insight bear this in mind.’ (Al-Baqara: 268-269).

According to Chittick: ‘“Wisdom" is not just knowledge, not even an exalted knowledge of the truth itself. The word also denotes putting knowledge into practice in the appropriate way. Hikma is differentiated from knowledge by the activity that it demands, or the fact that it demands knowing how things truly are and then acting in a way that coincides exactly with how they are. In Islamic texts, it is understood to be closely allied with justice, which is often defined as putting things where they belong and ensuring that everything has its proper place, the supreme virtue in philosophical ethics.’(‘The Heart of Islamic Philosophy: The Quest for Self-Knowledge in the Teachings of Afdal al-Din Kashani’).

Here are a few more ‘hikma’ quotes from the Qur’an:

‘So remember Me; I will remember you. Be thankful to Me, and never ungrateful. You who believe, seek help through steadfastness and prayer, for Allāh is with the steadfast…..We shall certainly test you with fear and hunger, and loss of property, lives, and crops. But (Prophet), give good news to those who are steadfast, those who say, when afflicted with a calamity: “We belong to Allāh and to Him we shall return.” These will be given blessings and mercy from their Lord, and it is they who are rightly guided.’ (Al-Baqara: 152-153; 155-157).

‘How can you tell people to do what is right and forget to do it yourselves, even though you recite the Scripture? Have you no sense? Seek help with steadfastness and prayer - though this is hard indeed for anyone but the humble, who know that they will meet their Lord and that it is to Him they will return.’ (Al-Baqara: 44-46).

‘Which is better, the person who founds his building on consciousness of Allāh and desire for His good pleasure, or the person who founds his building on the brink of a crumbling precipice that will tumble down into the Fire of Hell, taking him with it? Allāh does not guide the evildoers: the building they have founded will always be a source of doubt within their hearts, until their hearts are cut to pieces. Allāh is all knowing and wise.’ (Al-Tawba: 109-110).

Finally:

‘It was We who created you: will you not believe? Consider (the sperm) you eject - do you create it yourselves or are We the Creator? We ordained death to be among you. Nothing could stop Us if We intended to change you and recreate you in a way unknown to you. You have learned how you were first created: will you not reflect? Consider the seeds you sow in the ground - is it you who make them grow or We? If We wished, We could turn your harvest into chaff and leave you to wail: “We are burdened with debt; we are bereft.” Consider the water you drink - was it you who brought it down from the rain-cloud or We? If We wanted, We could make it bitter: will you not be thankful? Consider the fire you kindle - is it you who make the wood for it grow or We? We made it a reminder, and useful to those who kindle it, so glorify the name of your Lord, the Supreme.’ (Al-Waqi‘a: 57-74).

I hope this goes someway to answering your question.

mindlight said:

Thanks for these quotes.

1) BOOK v PERSON: It seems to me from what you shared that Islam is very much focused on the idea of wisdom as something taught by Allah in the Quran i.e. in a book. The Jewish and Christian view of wisdom by contrast is quite personal. In the OT the portrayal of wisdom has a feminine form and in the NT it is Jesus who embodies what wisdom is. It is a practical response to a situation doing things as Jesus would do them and seeking to understand them as he would.

In Proverbs 8 this description of wisdom is given:

"
Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4“To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.a
6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.b
17I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
22“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,c d
before his deeds of old;
23I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
27I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30Then I was constantlye at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
32“Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”

2) COPIED FROM BIBLE: There were echoes in some of the other Quran suras with the earlier Christian and Jewish scriptures. The obedience to Gods ways is paramount in both religions in all circumstances.

"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" Job 13:15

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." Ecclesiastes 12:13

"24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

3) UNDEMONSTRATED AND MYSTERIOUS - The Quran refers to Allah a great many times using wisdom as a title for Him. But since Allah is mainly mysterious this does not give a great deal of detail of what it means to live the wise life. In Proverbs we have numerous practical examples of wisdom and in the life of Jesus Christ we have it perfectly demonstrated in a way that all Christians can understand.

So just the first 10 verses of Proverbs 11 from the 31 chapter book of Proverbs as an example:

"1The Lord detests dishonest scales,
but accurate weights find favor with him.

2When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.


3The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

4Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

7Hopes placed in mortals die with them;
all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

8The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.

9With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.

10When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy."

Click to expand...

Hello Mindlight.

Thank you for your very informative post. God willing, I'll reply early next week. I think you will find that the three religions have a great deal in common when it comes to what might be called the 'application' of wisdom; what it takes to live a wise life.
Please forgive the delay, but other (work) matters are pressing.

Have a great weekend, and very best regards.

mindlight said:

Thanks for these quotes.

1) BOOK v PERSON: It seems to me from what you shared that Islam is very much focused on the idea of wisdom as something taught by Allah in the Quran i.e. in a book. The Jewish and Christian view of wisdom by contrast is quite personal. In the OT the portrayal of wisdom has a feminine form and in the NT it is Jesus who embodies what wisdom is. It is a practical response to a situation doing things as Jesus would do them and seeking to understand them as he would.

In Proverbs 8 this description of wisdom is given:

"
Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
2At the highest point along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3beside the gate leading into the city,
at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4“To you, O people, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.
5You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.a
6Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
7My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
8All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
9To the discerning all of them are right;
they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,
11for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
12“I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
13To fear the Lord is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
14Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have insight, I have power.
15By me kings reign
and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16by me princes govern,
and nobles—all who rule on earth.b
17I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.
18With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.
19My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,
21bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.
22“The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,c d
before his deeds of old;
23I was formed long ages ago,
at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,
26before he made the world or its fields
or any of the dust of the earth.
27I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
30Then I was constantlye at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,
31rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.
32“Now then, my children, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not disregard it.
34Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”

2) COPIED FROM BIBLE: There were echoes in some of the other Quran suras with the earlier Christian and Jewish scriptures. The obedience to Gods ways is paramount in both religions in all circumstances.

"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" Job 13:15

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." Ecclesiastes 12:13

"24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

3) UNDEMONSTRATED AND MYSTERIOUS - The Quran refers to Allah a great many times using wisdom as a title for Him. But since Allah is mainly mysterious this does not give a great deal of detail of what it means to live the wise life. In Proverbs we have numerous practical examples of wisdom and in the life of Jesus Christ we have it perfectly demonstrated in a way that all Christians can understand.

So just the first 10 verses of Proverbs 11 from the 31 chapter book of Proverbs as an example:

"1The Lord detests dishonest scales,
but accurate weights find favor with him.

2When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.


3The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

4Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.

5The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

6The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.

7Hopes placed in mortals die with them;
all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

8The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
and it falls on the wicked instead.

9With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.

10When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices;
when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy."

Click to expand...

Hello again, Mindlight.

I apologise for the delayed reply. Here are some of the things the Qur’an has to say about living a wise life. I suspect you will agree with all of them.

We must be kind to our parents:

‘Your Lord has commanded that you should worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, say no word that shows impatience with them, and do not be harsh with them, but speak to them respectfully and lower your wing in humility towards them in kindness and say: “Lord, have mercy on them, just as they cared for me when I was little.”’ (Al-Isra: 23-24).

Concerning others in general:

We are required to be fair in our dealing with others; and to give freely out of the bounty that has been given to us:

‘You who believe, give charitably from the good things you have acquired and that We have produced for you from the earth. Do not give away the bad things that you yourself would only accept with your eyes closed: remember that Allāh is self-sufficient, worthy of all praise.’ (Al-Baqara: 267); and again: ‘None of you will attain true piety unless you give out of what you cherish: whatever you give, Allāh knows about it very well. (Al‘Imran: 92).

I love the quiet humour in the words: ‘Do not give away the bad things that you yourself would only accept with your eyes closed.’

We must act justly at all times:

‘You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to Allāh, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, Allāh can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly - if you distort or neglect justice, Allāh is fully aware of what you do.’ (Al-Nisa:135); and again: ‘It is the ‘Lord of Mercy’ who has: ‘Set the balance so that (we) may not exceed in the balance (and we are required to: ‘Weigh with justice and not fall short in the balance.’ (Al-Rahman: 7); and yet again: ‘You who believe, be steadfast in your devotion to Allāh and bear witness impartially: do not let hatred of others lead you away from justice, but adhere to justice, for that is closer to awareness of Allāh. Be mindful of Allāh: Allāh is well aware of all that you do.’ (Al-Ma’ida: 8).

We are required to: ‘Fulfil any pledge you make in Allāh’s name and do not break oaths after you have sworn them, for you have made Allāh your surety: Allāh knows everything you do. Do not use your oaths to deceive each other…..just because one party may be more numerous than another. Allāh tests you with this, and on the Day of the Resurrection He will make clear to you those things you differed about.’ (Al-Nahl: 91-92).

We are must not consume each other’s wealth and resources, but trade equitable by mutual consent (see Al-Nisa: 29).

Concerning ourselves:

We are required to avoid the sin of pride:

‘Do not follow blindly what you do not know to be true: ears, eyes, and heart, you will be questioned about all these. Do not strut arrogantly about the earth: you cannot break it open, nor match the mountains in height. The evil of all these actions is hateful to your Lord.’ (Al-Isra: 36-37).

And to trust in Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) alone:

‘Consult with (others) about matters, then, when you have decided on a course of action, put your trust in Allāh: Allāh loves those who put their trust in Him. If Allāh helps you, no one can overcome you; if He forsakes you, who else can help you? Believers should put their trust in Allāh.’ (Al‘Imran 3:159).

And to seek His approval for what we intend to do:

‘Do not say of anything: “I will do that tomorrow,” without adding: “In šāʾ Allāh”; and whenever you forget, remember your Lord and say: “May my Lord guide me closer to what is right.”’ (Al-Kahf: 23).

And to seek ways to draw ever closer to Him:

‘You who believe, be mindful of Allāh, seek ways to come closer to Him and strive for His cause, so that you may prosper.’ (Al-Ma’ida: 35).

And to give Him heartfelt glory:

‘Remember your Lord inwardly, in all humility and awe, without raising your voice, in the mornings and in the evenings - do not be one of the heedless - (even) those who live in the presence of your Lord are not too proud to worship Him: they glorify Him and bow down before Him.’ (Al-A‘raf: 205-206).

I’ll end with Abraham’s prayer:

‘My Lord, grant me wisdom; join me with the righteous; give me a good name among later generations; make me one of those given the Garden of Bliss…..and do not disgrace me on the Day when all people are resurrected: the Day when neither wealth nor children can help, when the only one who will be saved is the one who comes before Allāh with a heart devoted to Him.’ (Al-Shu‘ara’: 83-85; 87-88).

May Allāh (Subḥānahu ūta'āla) bless you and your family, and keep you ever close to Himself.

Thanks for sharing. These are interesting concepts to remember.