God gives wisdom to whom He will, and he to whom wisdom is given has truly received abundant good.
The Qur'an
To Whom Wisdom Is Given
Topic: Wisdom & Understanding
God gives wisdom to whom He will, and he to whom wisdom is given has truly received abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding.
The Qur’an, central to the Islamic faith, is held in profound reverence as the ultimate revelation from God to the Prophet Muhammad through the archangel Gabriel. Comprising 114 chapters known as Surahs, it spans a comprehensive array of teachings and laws that govern the lives of Muslims. More than a religious scripture, the Qur’an is also a pinnacle of Arabic literary art, deeply influencing both the language and its literary tradition. Its verses are celebrated for their eloquence and depth, providing both spiritual guidance and a showcase of Arabic’s linguistic capabilities.
This scripture was revealed to Muhammad over approximately 22 years, beginning when he was around 40 and continuing until his passing in 632 AD. Seen as Muhammad’s most significant miracle, the Qur’an also represents the culmination of divine revelations that began with earlier prophets and scriptures such as the Torah, Psalms, and the Gospel. For Muslims, it offers not merely spiritual guidance but a comprehensive lifestyle framework, addressing various aspects of daily and communal life.
Debates among Islamic scholars about whether the Qur’an was ‘created’ or ‘uncreated’ highlight its theological importance. Following Muhammad’s death, his companions compiled the revelations, initially preserved through memorization and notes, into a single text. This compilation was later standardized by Caliph Uthman into what is recognized today as the Uthmanic codex. Despite various readings and interpretations, the integrity of the Qur’an's text has remained largely consistent, underscoring its central role and sacred status in Islamic tradition.
The Qur'an
Wilson, Andrew, editor. World Scripture - a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991, p. 565 [Qur'an 2.269].
The Qur'an
Theme: Wisdom
About This Quotation From The Qur’an [Commentary]
The Qur’an emphasizes the divine nature of wisdom, as highlighted in the verse: “God gives wisdom to whom He will, and he to whom wisdom is given has truly received abundant good.” This verse underscores wisdom as a significant and rare blessing, granted by divine will, and elevates it beyond mere intellectual knowledge. It portrays wisdom as a comprehensive understanding that merges ethical, spiritual, and practical life aspects, meant to enrich both the individual and society.
The continuation, “But none remember except men of understanding,” clarifies that true appreciation and retention of wisdom require a profound capacity for insight. This suggests that while wisdom is a gift from God, its retention depends on the recipient’s depth of understanding. This dynamic indicates that wisdom involves deep engagement and reflection, which fosters a meaningful grasp of life and one’s duties within it.
In Islamic teachings, wisdom (ḥikmah) is fundamental to a virtuous life, guiding individuals toward righteousness and justice. The description of wisdom as a divine gift that brings “abundant good” reflects its transformative impact on both personal and communal levels. By presenting wisdom as a selective divine endowment, the Qur’an advocates for a pursuit that combines humility with a commitment to ethical living and societal harmony, highlighting its role in applying divine truths to enhance personal integrity and community welfare.
Hamza Yusuf, Purification of the Heart
“Muslim scholars have identified four essential qualities in human beings, which have been identified in earlier traditions as well. Imam al-Ghazālī and Fakhruddīn al-Rāzī adopted them, as did Imam Rāghib al-Isfahānī in his book on ethics. According to Imam al-Ghazālī, the first of them is quwwat al-ʿilm, known in Western tradition as the rational soul, which is human capacity to learn. The next one, quwwat al-ghaḍab, which may be called the irascible soul, is the capacity that relates to human emotion and anger. The third element, quwwat alshahwah, known as the concupiscent soul, is related to appetite and desire. The fourth power, quwwat al-ʿadl, harmonizes the previous three powers and keeps them in balance so that no one capacity overtakes and suppresses the others. In Western tradition, these capacities correspond to what is known as cardinal virtues. Muslims call them ummahāt al-faḍā’il. They are wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice (ḥikmah, shajāʿah, ʿiffah, and ʿadl). When the rational soul is balanced, the result is wisdom. Whoever is given wisdom has been given much good (Qur’an, 2:269). Wisdom, according to Imam al-Ghazālī, is found in one who is balanced, who is neither a simpleton nor a shrewd, tricky person. If there is a deficit in the rational soul, the result is foolishness. When the rational soul becomes excessive and inordinately dominant, the result is trickery and the employment of the intellect toward the exploitation of others.”
―Hamza Yusuf [Purification of the Heart: Signs, Symptoms and Cures of the Spiritual Diseases of the Heart (Translation and Commentary of Imam al-Mawlud’s Matharat al-Qulub)].
The Search For Knowledge
The search for knowledge is incumbent upon every human being. Education and diligent study for elevates and ennobles the human person. The most important knowledge is spiritual wisdom–the Way or the Dhamma–which not only enlightens the intellect but also elevates the spirit and fosters a good will. When a person finds a deep truth, it awakens an emotion of inner joy, because that truth corresponds with what is already within his or her original mind.
―Andrew Wilson, editor [World Scripture – a Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts. Paragon House, 1991] p. 565.
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