Summary:
Aql is usually translated as ‘intellect’ but it has far deeper meanings, as we will learn from the Ahadith below, Aql is the light of the soul through which God is recognised, deeds are glorified and accepted. The (possessor of) the Aql is the one who is not diverted from thanking Allah-azwj after obtaining the permissible provisions and observes patience/abstinence from the non-permissible means. The strength of one’s Aql is reflected through one’s ability to overcome (lustful desires) when alone. Its opposite is the Jahl (darkness) which engages one to confine to the worldly attractions and its gains and blinds one from the eternal bounties of the Hereafter.
Ahadith on Aql:
وَ قَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ رَجُلٌ نَصْرَانِيٌّ مِنْ أَهْلِ نَجْرَانَ وَ كَانَ فِيهِ بَيَانٌ وَ لَهُ وَقَارٌ وَ هَيْبَةٌ فَقِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا أَعْقَلَ هَذَا النَّصْرَانِيَّ
And a Christian man from the people of Najran arrived at Al-Medina, and there was explanation in him, and there was dignity for him and awe. It was said, ‘O Rasool-Allah-saww What is ‘أَعْقَلَ’ (Al-Aql) the Aql (esoteric wisdom) of this Christian?’
فَزَجَرَ الْقَائِلَ وَ قَالَ مَهْ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ مَنْ وَحَّدَ اللَّهَ وَ عَمِلَ بِطَاعَتِهِ.
He-saww rebuked the speaker and said: ‘Shh! The intellectual is one who professes Oneness of Allah-azwj and works in His-azwj obedience’’.[1]
أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا رَفَعَهُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا الْعَقْلُ قَالَ مَا عُبِدَ بِهِ الرَّحْمَنُ وَ اكْتُسِبَ بِهِ الْجِنَانُ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَالَّذِي كَانَ فِي مُعَاوِيَةَ فَقَالَ تِلْكَ النَّكْرَاءُ تِلْكَ الشَّيْطَنَةُ وَ هِيَ شَبِيهَةٌ بِالْعَقْلِ وَ لَيْسَتْ بِالْعَقْلِ .
Ahmad Bin Idrees, from Muhammad Bin Abdul Jabbar, from one of our companions,
(It has been narrated) raising it to Abu Abdullah-asws, said, ‘I said to him-asws, ‘What is the ‘الْعَقْلَ’ (Aql– intellect?’ He-asws said: ‘Through which the Beneficent is worshipped with, and the Gardens are attained with’. I said, ‘So that which was in Muawiya?’ So he-asws said: ‘That is the heinous, that is the devilry, and it may disguise as the أَعْقَلَ (Aql), but it is not the Aql’.[2]
Al-Aql is integrated with the bashfulness and the religion:
عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ صَالِحٍ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ طَرِيفٍ عَنِ الْأَصْبَغِ بْنِ نُبَاتَةَ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ هَبَطَ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى آدَمَ ( عليه السلام ) فَقَالَ يَا آدَمُ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُخَيِّرَكَ وَاحِدَةً مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ فَاخْتَرْهَا وَ دَعِ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ آدَمُ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ مَا الثَّلَاثُ
Ali Bin Muhammad, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Amro Bin Usman, from Mufazzal Bin Salih, from Sa’ad Bin Tareyf, from Al Asbagh Bin Nubata,
(It has been narrated) from Ali-asws having said: ‘Jibraeel-as descended unto Adam-as and he-as said: ‘O Adam-as!’ I-as have been Commanded to get you-as to choose one from three, therefore choose it and leave the (other) two’. So Adam-as said to him-as: ‘O Jibraeel-as! And what are the three?’
فَقَالَ الْعَقْلُ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ الدِّينُ فَقَالَ آدَمُ إِنِّي قَدِ اخْتَرْتُ الْعَقْلَ فَقَالَ جَبْرَئِيلُ لِلْحَيَاءِ وَ الدِّينِ انْصَرِفَا وَ دَعَاهُ فَقَالَا يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ إِنَّا أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نَكُونَ مَعَ الْعَقْلِ حَيْثُ كَانَ قَالَ فَشَأْنَكُمَا وَ عَرَجَ
He-as said: ‘The ‘الْعَقْلُ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ الدِّينُ’ esoteric wisdom, and the modesty (bashfulness), and the Religion’. Adam-as said: ‘I-as have chosen the esoteric wisdom’. So Jibraeel-as said to the modesty and the Religion: ‘Leave!’ But these both said, ‘O Jibraeel-as! We have been Commanded (by Allah-azwj) that we should happen to be with the Aql wherever it may be’. He-as said: ‘So that is your affair’, and he-as ascended’ (leaving all three with Adam-as).[3]
يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ ضَوْءَ الْجَسَدِ فِي عَيْنِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ الْبَصَرُ مُضِيئاً اسْتَضَاءَ الْجَسَدُ كُلُّهُ وَ إِنَّ ضَوْءَ الرُّوحِ الْعَقْلُ
(Imam Musa-e-Kazim-asws) said: O Hisham: The light of the body is in the eyes, if the sight is luminous the whole body will be bright. The light of the Soul is the Aql (esoteric wisdom), if the servant is intelligent, he will be having the acknowledge of his Lord (an extract).[4]
Good Morals emanate from the Aql:
عنه، عن الحسين بن يزيد النوفلي وجهم بن حكيم المدايني، عن إسماعيل بن أبي زياد السكوني، عن أبي عبد الله، عن آبائه عليهم السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: إذا بلغكم عن رجل حسن حاله فانظروا في حسن خلقه فانما يجازى بعقله
From him, from Al Husayn Bin Yazeed Al Nowfaly and Jahm Bin Hakeem Al Mada’iny, from Ismail Bin Abu Zyad Al Sakuny,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah-asws, from his forefathers-asws having said: ‘Rasool-Allah-saww said: ‘When it reaches you about a man, the goodness of his state, so look at him with regards to the goodness of his morals, for it is the recompense of his ‘بعقله’ Aql (esoteric wisdom)’.[5]
The difference between the wickedness and the Aql:
وعنه، عن محمد بن أحمد بن يحيى، عن محمد بن عبد الجبار، عن بعض أصحابنا رفعه إلى أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: قلت له: ما العقل؟ – قال: ما عبد به الرحمن واكتسب به الجنان، قال: قلت: فالذي كان في معاوية؟ – قال: تلك النكراء وتلك الشيطنة، وهي شبيهة بالعقل وليست بعقل.
From him, from Muhammad Bin Ahmad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad Bin Abdul Jabbar, from sone of our companions,
The narrator says: ‘I said to Abu Abdullah-asws: ‘What is the ‘العقل’ intellect?’ He-asws said: ‘What the Beneficent is worshipped by, and the Paradise is attained by’. I said, ‘So that which was with Muawiya?’ He-asws said: ‘تلك النكراء وتلك الشيطنة’ ‘that was the heinous (wicked), and that was the devilish, but it resembles with the intellect, but it is not with the intellect’.[6]
The Possessor of the Aql:
عنه، عن بعض أصحابنا، رفعه قال: قال: العاقل لا يحدث من يخاف تكذيبه، ولا يسأل من يخاف منعه، ولا يتقدم على ما يخاف العذر منه، ولا يرجو من لا يوثق برجائه
From him, from one of our companions, raising it, said,
‘He-asws said: ‘العاقل (the possessor of Aql) does not discuss with the one whom he fears would belie him, nor does he ask one whom he fears would refuse him, nor does he embark upon (a matter) for which he fears failure, nor does he hope in one who cannot be trusted with his hopes’.[7]
عنه، عن بعض أصحابنا، رفعه قال: قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام: يستدل بكتاب الرجل على عقله وموضع بصيرته، وبرسوله على فهمه وفطنته.
From him, from one of our companions, raising it, said,
‘Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘The man evidence upon his intellect by a Book (of Allah-azwj) and the placement of his insight, and by His-azwj Rasool-saww over his understanding (of Ahadith) and his realisation (his actions)’.[8]
يَا هِشَامُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ دَلِيلٌ وَ دَلِيلُ الْعَاقِلِ التَّفَكُّرُ وَ دَلِيلُ التَّفَكُّرِ الصَّمْتُ وَ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ مَطِيَّةٌ وَ مَطِيَّةُ الْعَاقِلِ التَّوَاضُعُ وَ كَفَى بِكَ جَهْلًا أَنْ تَرْكَبَ مَا نُهِيتَ عَنْهُ
(Imam Musa e Kazim-asws says) O Hisham O Hisham! Everything has its evidence. The evidence of being ‘الْعَاقِلِ’ (the one who has the Aql) is ‘التَّفَكُّرُ’ pondering (over things) and the evidence of pondering is silence. However, everything has its reflection and the reflection of Aql is in hospitality. And it is sufficient for the ‘Jahil’ (opposite to the Aql) to embark on that for which you are told not to ride.
يَا هِشَامُ مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ أَنْبِيَاءَهُ وَ رُسُلَهُ إِلَى عِبَادِهِ إِلَّا لِيَعْقِلُوا عَنِ اللَّهِ فَأَحْسَنُهُمْ اسْتِجَابَةً أَحْسَنُهُمْ مَعْرِفَةً لِلَّهِ وَ أَعْلَمُهُمْ بِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ أَحْسَنُهُمْ عَقْلًا وَ أَعْقَلُهُمْ أَرْفَعُهُمْ دَرَجَةً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَة
O Hisham! The main reason beyond Allah-azwj’s Sending Prophets and Messengers is that people will understand (via Aql) the Commandments of Allah-azwj and His Messengers. The best responsive people will be of the most understanding, the most knowledgeable of Allah-azwj’s Commands will be those with the most ‘Aql’ (intelligence/wisdom), and the one with most ‘Aql’ then will be the most high-ranking in this world and the world to come.
ِ يَا هِشَامُ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ إِلَّا وَ مَلَكٌ آخِذٌ بِنَاصِيَتِهِ فَلَا يَتَوَاضَعُ إِلَّا رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ وَ لَا يَتَعَاظَمُ إِلَّا وَضَعَهُ اللَّهُ
O Hisham! For every servant of (Allah-azwj), there is an angel invested with full Power over him. When that servant shows modesty for the sake of Allah-azwj, the angel will elevate him, and whenever he shows arrogance, the angel will humiliate him.
يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حُجَّتَيْنِ حُجَّةً ظَاهِرَةً وَ حُجَّةً بَاطِنَةً فَأَمَّا الظَّاهِرَةُ فَالرُّسُلُ وَ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ وَ أَمَّا الْبَاطِنَةُ فَالْعُقُولُ ي
O Hisham! Allah-azwj has two Arguments against people: One is the explicit and the other is implicit. The explicit arguments of Allah-azwj are the Messengers and the Prophets and the Imams. The implicit arguments are the ‘Aql’ (intellect).
يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ الَّذِي لَا يَشْغَلُ الْحَلَالُ شُكْرَهُ وَ لَا يَغْلِبُ الْحَرَامُ صَبْرَهُ
O Hisham! The (possessor of) the (true) Aql is the one who is not diverted from thanking Allah-azwj after obtaining the permissible provisions and observes patience/abstinence from the non-permissible means.
يَا هِشَامُ كَيْفَ يَزْكُو عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَمَلُكَ وَ أَنْتَ قَدْ شَغَلْتَ عَقْلَكَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّكَ وَ أَطَعْتَ هَوَاكَ عَلَى غَلَبَةِ عَقْلِك
O Hisham! How come do you expect that Allah-azwj will accept your deeds while you are involving your Aql with matters that are away from Allah-azwj’s Commandments and you are complying with your ‘هَوَاكَ’ ‘desires’ and letting them to overcome your Aql.
َ يَا هِشَامُ الصَّبْرُ عَلَى الْوَحْدَةِ عَلَامَةُ قُوَّةِ الْعَقْلِ فَمَنْ عَقَلَ عَنِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى اعْتَزَلَ أَهْلَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الرَّاغِبِينَ فِيهَا وَ رَغِبَ فِيمَا عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ وَ كَانَ اللَّهُ آنِسَهُ فِي الْوَحْشَةِ وَ صَاحِبَهُ فِي الْوَحْدَةِ وَ غِنَاهُ فِي الْعَيْلَةِ وَ مُعِزَّهُ فِي غَيْرِ عَشِيرَة
O Hisham! The ability to overcome (your desires) when alone shows the strength of one’s Aql. The Aql is the (quality) through which the Commandments of Allah-azwj are understood and will surely withdraw from the people of the worldly pleasures. He (due to Aql) will also be inclined towards that which Allah-azwj has Promised and will regard Allah-azwj as refuge in his solitude (loneliness), the companion in loneliness, the fortune in poverty and the supporter instead of the clan.
َ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعُقَلَاءَ تَرَكُوا فُضُولَ الدُّنْيَا فَكَيْفَ الذُّنُوبُ وَ تَرْكُ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْفَضْلِ وَ تَرْكُ الذُّنُوبِ مِنَ الْفَرْضِ
O Hisham! The ones with Aql have left the pleasures of this world. How is it then for the sins? The abstinence from the worldly pleasures is recommendable while avoidance of committing sins is obligatory.
يَا هِشَامُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ مَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ عُبِدَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْعَقْل
O Hisham! Amir-ul-Momineen-asws used to say: The most elevated means of worshiping Allah-azwj is making use of Aql.
ً يَا هِشَامُ اعْرِفْ الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَكُنْ مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِين
O Hisham! Recognise the armies of the Aql and the armies of the ‘Jahil’ (opposite of Aql) and you will be guided.
َ قَالَ هِشَامٌ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا نَعْرِفُ إِلَّا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ ع يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ خَلَقَهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّين
Hisham says: I said: May Allah-azwj make me your sacrifice. We will not know unless you instruct us.
Hence, the Imam-asws answered: O Hisham, the first-one among the ‘Ruheen’ (plural of Ruh) Allah-azwj Created was the Aql. It was from the Noor and it stayed on the right side of the Divine Thorne.[9]
Then Imam-asws then described the 75 armies of Aql and 75 armies of the Jahil, see Appendix.[10]
Appendix: The Armies of the Aql and the Armies of the Jahil (Darkness)
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَدِيدٍ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا نَعْرِفُ إِلَّا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا
A number of our companions, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ali Bin Hadeed, from Sama’at Bin Mihran who said,
‘I was in the presence of Abu Abdullah-asws, and in his-asws presence was a group of the ones in his-asws Wilayah, and the mention of the intellect and the ignorance, flowed. So Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘Recognise the intellect and its army and the ignorance and its army, and you would be rightly guided’. Sama’at (the narrator) said, ‘So I said to him-asws, ‘May I be sacrificed for you-asws! We do not recognise anything except what you-asws have introduced to us’.
فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْعَرْشِ مِنْ نُورِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقْتُكَ خَلْقاً عَظِيماً وَ كَرَّمْتُكَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي
So Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic Created the intellect, and it was the first thing Created, from the spiritual (creations), from the right of the Throne, from His-azwj Light. So He-azwj Said to it: “Turn around!” So it turned around. Then Said: “Come!” So it came”. So Allah-azwj Blessed and High Said: “I-azwj have Created you as a magnificent creation and Honoured you upon the entirety of My-azwj creation’.
قَالَ ثُمَّ خَلَقَ الْجَهْلَ مِنَ الْبَحْرِ الْأُجَاجِ ظُلْمَانِيّاً فَقَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَلَمْ يُقْبِلْ فَقَالَ لَهُ اسْتَكْبَرْتَ فَلَعَنَهُ
He-asws said: ‘Then He-azwj Created the ignorance from the dark wavy ocean. So He-azwj Said to it: “Turn around!” So it turned around. Then Said to it: “Come!” But it did not come. So He-azwj Said to it: “You are being arrogant?” So He-azwj Cursed it.
جَعَلَ لِلْعَقْلِ خَمْسَةً وَ سَبْعِينَ جُنْداً فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْجَهْلُ مَا أَكْرَمَ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْعَقْلَ وَ مَا أَعْطَاهُ أَضْمَرَ لَهُ الْعَدَاوَةَ فَقَالَ الْجَهْلُ يَا رَبِّ هَذَا خَلْقٌ مِثْلِي خَلَقْتَهُ وَ كَرَّمْتَهُ وَ قَوَّيْتَهُ وَ أَنَا ضِدُّهُ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ لِي بِهِ فَأَعْطِنِي مِنَ الْجُنْدِ مِثْلَ مَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَإِنْ عَصَيْتَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَخْرَجْتُكَ وَ جُنْدَكَ مِنْ رَحْمَتِي قَالَ قَدْ رَضِيتُ ثُمَّ فَأَعْطَاهُ خَمْسَةً وَ سَبْعِينَ جُنْداً
Then He-azwj Made seventy-five armies for the intellect. So when the ignorance saw what Allah-azwj had Honoured the intellect with and what He-azwj had Granted it, (ignorance) harboured the enmity for it. So the ignorance said, ‘O Lord-azwj! This is a creation like me. You-azwj Created it, and Honoured it, and Strengthened it, and I am its opposite, and there is not (enough) strength for me in comparison. Therefore, Grant me an army similar to what You-azwj had Granted it’. So He-azwj Said: “Yes. But, if you were to disobey Me-azwj after that, I-azwj shall Throw you and your army out of My-azwj Mercy’. It said, ‘I have agreed’. Then He-azwj Granted it seventy-five armies.
فَكَانَ مِمَّا أَعْطَى الْعَقْلَ مِنَ الْخَمْسَةِ وَ السَّبْعِينَ الْجُنْدَ الْخَيْرُ وَ هُوَ وَزِيرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ جَعَلَ ضِدَّهُ الشَّرَّ وَ هُوَ وَزِيرُ الْجَهْلِ وَ الْإِيمَانُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْكُفْرَ وَ التَّصْدِيقُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْجُحُودَ وَ الرَّجَاءُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْقُنُوطَ وَ الْعَدْلُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْجَوْرَ وَ الرِّضَا وَ ضِدَّهُ السُّخْطَ وَ الشُّكْرُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْكُفْرَانَ وَ الطَّمَعُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْيَأْسَ
Thus, from what He-azwj Granted to the intellect, from the seventy five armies was the goodness, and it is the Vizier of the intellect; and Made its opposite to be the evil, and it is the Vizier of the ignorance; and the Eman, and its opposite is the disbelief; and the confirmation, and its opposite is the denial; and the hope, and its opposite is the despair; and the justice, and its opposite is the tyranny; and the pleasure, and its opposite is the anger; and the gratefulness, and its opposite is the ingratitude; and the longing, and its opposite is the hopelessness.
وَ التَّوَكُّلُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْحِرْصَ وَ الرَّأْفَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْقَسْوَةَ وَ الرَّحْمَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْغَضَبَ وَ الْعِلْمُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْجَهْلَ وَ الْفَهْمُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْحُمْقَ وَ الْعِفَّةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا التَّهَتُّكَ وَ الزُّهْدُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الرَّغْبَةَ وَ الرِّفْقُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْخُرْقَ وَ الرَّهْبَةُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْجُرْأَةَ وَ التَّوَاضُعُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْكِبْرَ وَ التُّؤَدَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا التَّسَرُّعَ
And the reliance (upon Allah-azwj), and its opposite is the independence; and the clemency, and its opposite is the cruelty; and the mercy, and its opposite is the wrath, and the knowledge, and its opposite is the ignorance; and the understanding, and its opposite is the stupidity, and the chastity, and its opposite is the indecency, and ascetism, and its opposite is the desire; and the gentleness, and its opposite is the harshness; and the awe, and its opposite is the audacity; and the humbleness, and its opposite is the arrogance; and the leisureliness, and its opposite is the impulsiveness.
وَ الْحِلْمُ وَ ضِدَّهَا السَّفَهَ وَ الصَّمْتُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْهَذَرَ وَ الِاسْتِسْلَامُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الِاسْتِكْبَارَ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الشَّكَّ وَ الصَّبْرُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْجَزَعَ وَ الصَّفْحُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الِانْتِقَامَ وَ الْغِنَى وَ ضِدَّهُ الْفَقْرَ وَ التَّذَكُّرُ وَ ضِدَّهُ السَّهْوَ وَ الْحِفْظُ وَ ضِدَّهُ النِّسْيَانَ وَ التَّعَطُّفُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْقَطِيعَةَ وَ الْقُنُوعُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْحِرْصَ وَ الْمُؤَاسَاةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْمَنْعَ
And the forbearance, and its opposite is the recklessness; and the silence, and its opposite is the chatter; and the submission, and its opposite is the arrogance; and the acceptance, and its opposite is the doubt; and the patience, and its opposite is the panic; and the pardoning, and its opposite is the revenge; and the richness, and its opposite is the poverty; and the remembrance, and its opposite is the omission; and the memorisation, and its opposite is the forgetfulness; and the sympathising, and its opposite is the severing (relationship); and the contentment, and its opposite is the greed; and the consolation, and its opposite is the commiseration.
وَ الْمَوَدَّةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْعَدَاوَةَ وَ الْوَفَاءُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْغَدْرَ وَ الطَّاعَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْمَعْصِيَةَ وَ الْخُضُوعُ وَ ضِدَّهُ التَّطَاوُلَ وَ السَّلَامَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْبَلَاءَ وَ الْحُبُّ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْبُغْضَ وَ الصِّدْقُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْكَذِبَ وَ الْحَقُّ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْبَاطِلَ وَ الْأَمَانَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْخِيَانَةَ وَ الْإِخْلَاصُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الشَّوْبَ وَ الشَّهَامَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْبَلَادَةَ
And the cordiality, and its opposite is the enmity; and the loyalty, and its opposite is the betrayal; and the obedience, and its opposite is the disobedience; and the yielding, and its opposite is the insolence; and the safety, and its opposite is the affliction; and the love, and its opposite is the hatred; and the truthfulness, and its opposite is the lying; and the truth, and its opposite is the falsehood; and the trustworthiness, and its opposite is the defrauding; and the purity, and its opposite is the adulteration; and the chivalry, and its opposite is the apathy.
وَ الْفَهْمُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْغَبَاوَةَ وَ الْمَعْرِفَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْإِنْكَارَ وَ الْمُدَارَاةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْمُكَاشَفَةَ وَ سَلَامَةُ الْغَيْبِ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْمُمَاكَرَةَ وَ الْكِتْمَانُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْإِفْشَاءَ وَ الصَّلَاةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْإِضَاعَةَ وَ الصَّوْمُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْإِفْطَارَ وَ الْجِهَادُ وَ ضِدَّهُ النُّكُولَ وَ الْحَجُّ وَ ضِدَّهُ نَبْذَ الْمِيثَاقِ
And the understanding, and its opposite is the foolishness; and the recognition, and its opposite is the denial; and the compliance, and its opposite is the disclosure; and safeguarding the hidden matters, and its opposite is the non-restraint; and the concealment, and its opposite is the disclosure; and the Salāt, and its opposite is the wastage (not praying); and the Fasting, and its opposite is the abandoning (of Fasting); and the Jihad, and its opposite is the abstaining; and the Hajj, and its opposite is renouncing the Covenant.
وَ صَوْنُ الْحَدِيثِ وَ ضِدَّهُ النَّمِيمَةَ وَ بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْعُقُوقَ وَ الْحَقِيقَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الرِّيَاءَ وَ الْمَعْرُوفُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْمُنْكَرَ وَ السَّتْرُ وَ ضِدَّهُ التَّبَرُّجَ وَ التَّقِيَّةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْإِذَاعَةَ وَ الْإِنْصَافُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْحَمِيَّةَ وَ التَّهْيِئَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْبَغْيَ وَ النَّظَافَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْقَذَرَ
And preservation of the Hadeeth, and its opposite is the gossiping; and righteousness with the parents, and its opposite is the disloyalty; and the reality, and its opposite is the showing-off; and the goodness, and its opposite is the evil; and the covering up, and its opposite is the shameless display; and the dissimulation, and its opposite is the broadcasting; and the fairness, and its opposite is prejudice; and the calmness, and its opposite is the rebellion, and the cleanliness, and its opposite is the filth.
وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْجَلَعَ وَ الْقَصْدُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْعُدْوَانَ وَ الرَّاحَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا التَّعَبَ وَ السُّهُولَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الصُّعُوبَةَ وَ الْبَرَكَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْمَحْقَ وَ الْعَافِيَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْبَلَاءَ وَ الْقَوَامُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْمُكَاثَرَةَ وَ الْحِكْمَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْهَوَاءَ وَ الْوَقَارُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْخِفَّةَ وَ السَّعَادَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الشَّقَاوَةَ
And the bashfulness, and its opposite is the indiscreet; and the moderation, and its opposite is the indulgence; and the rest, and its opposite is the exhaustion; and the ease, and its opposite is the difficulty; and the Blessings, and its opposite is the annihilation; and the well-being, and its opposite is the calamity; and the straightness, and its opposite is the crookedness; and the wisdom, and its opposite is the whims; and the dignity, and its opposite is the meanness; and the happiness, and its opposite is the wretchedness.
وَ التَّوْبَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْإِصْرَارَ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الِاغْتِرَارَ وَ الْمُحَافَظَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا التَّهَاوُنَ وَ الدُّعَاءُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الِاسْتِنْكَافَ وَ النَّشَاطُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْكَسَلَ وَ الْفَرَحُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْحَزَنَ وَ الْأُلْفَةُ وَ ضِدَّهَا الْفُرْقَةَ وَ السَّخَاءُ وَ ضِدَّهُ الْبُخْلَ
And the repentance, and its opposite is the persistence; and the seeking of Forgiveness, and its opposite is the pride; and the preservation, and its opposite is the complacency; and the supplication, and its opposite is the refraining; and the activity, and its opposite is the laziness; and the joy, and its opposite is the grief, and the friendliness, and its opposite is the aversion; and the generosity, and its opposite is the stinginess.
فَلَا تَجْتَمِعُ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالُ كُلُّهَا مِنْ أَجْنَادِ الْعَقْلِ إِلَّا فِي نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ أَوْ مُؤْمِنٍ قَدِ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ وَ أَمَّا سَائِرُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ مَوَالِينَا فَإِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لَا يَخْلُو مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ بَعْضُ هَذِهِ الْجُنُودِ حَتَّى يَسْتَكْمِلَ وَ يَنْقَى مِنْ جُنُودِ الْجَهْلِ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ يَكُونُ فِي الدَّرَجَةِ الْعُلْيَا مَعَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ وَ إِنَّمَا يُدْرَكُ ذَلِكَ بِمَعْرِفَةِ الْعَقْلِ وَ جُنُودِهِ وَ بِمُجَانَبَةِ الْجَهْلِ وَ جُنُودِهِ
So all these characteristics from the armies of the intellect would not gather in anyone except a Prophet-saww, or a successor-as, or a Momin whose heart Allah-azwj has been Tested for the Eman. And as for the rest of that, from the ones in our-asws Wilayah, so one of them would not be empty from some of these armies to be in him until he is perfect and transfers from the armies of the ignorance. Thus, during that, he would happen to be in the lofty levels along with the Prophets-as, and the successors-as, and rather he would achieve that with the recognition of the intellect and its armies, and by keeping aside from the ignorance and its armies.
وَفَّقَنَا اللَّهُ وَ إِيَّاكُمْ لِطَاعَتِهِ وَ مَرْضَاتِهِ
May Allah-azwj Harmonise us and you all for His-azwj obedience, and His-azwj Pleasure’.[11]
[1] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 74 – The book ‘Al Rawza’ – Ch 7 H 146
[2] Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Intellect and Ignorance CH 1 H 3
[3] Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Intellect and Ignorance CH 1 H 2
[4]تحف العقول، النص، ص: 396
[5] Al Mahaasin – V 1 Bk 5 H 14
[6] Al Mahaasin – V 1 Bk 5 H 15
[7] Al Mahaasin – V 1 Bk 5 H 19
[8] Al Mahaasin – V 1 Bk 5 H 20
[9] تحف العقول، النص، ص: 396
[10] تحف العقول، النص، ص: 385
[11] Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Intellect and Ignorance CH 1 H 14