Al-Hikmah
Definition
Al-hikmah — wisdom — is the quality Allah granted to both Dawud and Sulayman that enabled them to judge between people with the kind of justice that goes beyond the application of rules to the perception of truth. Ibn Kathir records the famous case in which a woman's infant was claimed by two mothers, and Sulayman proposed cutting the child in two — knowing that the true mother would surrender her claim rather than see her child harmed. The false mother agreed; the true mother cried out in sacrifice of her claim. Sulayman awarded the child to the one who loved it enough to let it go. This story, similar in structure to the judgment of Solomon, demonstrates that wisdom at its highest is not primarily knowledge of law but perception of human hearts.
As understood in the classical tradition of Ibn Kathir and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Al-Hikmah.
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"the believers, for they have a killer with Allah that does not die. Abu Muawiyah narrated that Hisham Ibn Urwah from his father said, It is written in wisdom, O my son, let your words be good and let your face be cheerful, so that you may be more beloved to the people than one who gives them gifts. It is written in wisdom, or in the Torah, gentleness is the essence of wisdom. And it is written in the Torah, as you show mercy, you will be shown mercy. It is written in wisdom, as you sow, so shall you reap. And it is written in wisdom, love your friend and your father's friend. Abdul Razak narrated from Mamar,"
— Ibn Kathir, Volume 2 — From the Israelite Prophets to Pre-Islamic Arabia
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"The term "wise" has come to be applied to doctors, poets, and astrologers today, due to ignorance about the alteration of terms, like the term "wisdom. The title "wise" is even given to those who roll dice in the alleys. True wisdom is what Allah, the Almighty, has praised, as He says in the Quran: "He grants wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been granted wisdom has certainly been given much good. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "A word of wisdom learned by a man is better for him than the world and what is in it."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 1: The Book of Knowledge
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"The middle ground that pertains exclusively to wisdom is simply called wisdom. Thus, there are four essential virtues or foundations of character: wisdom, bravery, chastity, and justice. By wisdom, we mean a state of the soul through which the correct is discerned from error in all voluntary actions. By justice, we mean a state of the soul and a strength that controls anger and desire, guiding them in accordance with wisdom, managing their engagement and restraint according to its dictates."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 22: The Book of Disciplining the Soul
Appears in
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