Intelligence

It is easy for English speakers to fall into the trap of looking at ayat (verses) of the Qur'an from an un-Islamic point of view, simply because of the language. Behind every word in every language there is a concept that has developed according to that particular culture. The Qur'an is the peak of languages and the foundation of the greatest of cultures. Often English words carry quite different concepts to the Quranic ones. A clear example is the use of the words intellect and intelligence.

These words are important because they are fundamental concepts that affect how societies see themselves. they are important for us because Allah (swt) and his noble Messenger (saw) have addressed us about them.

Modern psychologists derive their definition from a materialist/Marxist (kufr) philosophy. This is obviously unacceptable and potentially dangerous for the English speaking Muslims. We should use the word Aql, which is usually translated as intellect, sense, reason, mind or insight. It is what Hadith bin Assad described as, 'The instance that lies waiting for the reflective science to strike as light strikes the heart.' It is the capacity waiting for knowledge, and here, knowledge is that which benefits man through the power of his intelligence.

The intelligence is something that 'grasps.' One uses the same word when one says, 'Aqltu al ba'eer', (I restrained the camel), or 'Aqala al da'wa al-batn', (Implying the stomach 'took' the medicine or 'held' the medicine).

It is this 'grasping' potential that differentiates man from animal and Muslim from Kaffir. It is intelligence that makes man legally responsible. It is because of intelligence that he was made Allah's chosen Khalifah and raised above animals and angels. Allah strikes similitude, give us examples and points to the creation. By the intellect one understands and believes. This is Allah's greatest gift. The Messenger (saw) said: 'Allah did not create anything more noble to him than intellect.'

Musa (AS)'s miracle was his ability to outdo the magicians, Isa (AS)'s miracle was his healing ability. And the greatest of all miracles is the Qur'an; revealed to Muhammed (saw) to activate intellects until the last day.

When the Mushriks challenged Muhammed (saw) to prove there was only one God, Allah (SWT) revealed :

''Surely in the creation of the Heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day, and the ships that run in the sea with profit to men, and the water Allah sends down from heaven, reviving the earth after it has been dead, His scattering aboard it all manner of crawling creatures, the turning about of the winds and the clouds compelled between heaven and earth: Surely those are signs for those who have understanding.''

Muhammed (saw) on this occasion did not produce new physical miracles, rather he pointed to things that will continue to act as signs until the Last Hour.

The word 'ship' is especially relevant to us. at first man manipulated the wind. Now he uses the laws of mechanics, solar energy and nuclear power. Some foolishly misunderstand. They think that, because they describe and formulate the laws of mechanics and floatation, they somehow play a part in them. For example, Muslims began discussing the ''Scientific Miracles of the Qur'an,'' not realizing that the Qur'an is not a book of physics or chemistry but rather, as Allah (swt) described it, ''Hudan lil-Muttaqin,'' which discusses truth vs. falsehood, halal and haram, and the previous prophets and nations in order Muslim to extract lessons from.  All that is mentioned regarding some natural phenomena, such as rain, the shape of the earth, and the development of the fetus, was mentioned as a proof of Allah's existence and signs of His Might and Wisdom.  Thus, the Sahabah understood the Qur'an much more than the Muslims today, even though Muslims in today's age witnessed, and in some instances pioneered, great advancements in science and technology.  The Sahabah studied the Qur'an and the Sunnah and implemented them as orders and systems that governed the society, whereas Muslims today began discussing the Qur'an and Sunnah using the scientific approach and started holding conferences and publishing books to this end, which distracted Muslims from their objective of establishing the Islamic system and carrying Islam to the world. They have not been blessed with the 'opening of the inner eye' or the grasping of this great gift(see also The Search for HOW versus Search for WHY). They are the lowest of the low. Allah (SWT) says:

''The worst of the beasts in the sight of Allah are the deaf and the dumb; those who do not understand.''

Zamakshari in Al-Khashaf said, 'They don't realise the correctness, perfection and benefits of this smilitudes and examples that Allah (SWT) shows them. These meaning are veiled by curtains. It is the intellect that unveils and manifests them. Understanding and the visualisation of the similitudes are the difference between polytheism and tawheed.'

Intelligence is the means to the belief. Obedience to Allah is the most intelligent of actions. The Messenger(saw) was asked, 'What is the intellect?' He(saw) said, 'Acting obediently to Allah, surely those who act obediently to Allah are intelligent.'

His (saw) mission was to activate the natural instinct of man and crown it with obedience to the creator of that great gift. He(saw) aid, 'Allah did not portion to man a thing better than intelligence. The sleep on the intelligence one is better than the wakefulness of the fool. No Prophet or Messenger was sent other than to complete intelligence.'

Sayidina Ali(RA) said, 'The intelligence is the repairer of all affairs. The fruit of intelligence is uprightness.' We thank Allah for this great gift. We ask Him to strengthen our conviction and increase us in Obedience to Him, to make us upright and make us die among the truly intelligent. A'min.