The Concept of Wisdom in the Qur'an

 

The Concept of Wisdom in the Qur'an

Adis Duderija

( the concept of this article based on SAQIB HUSSAIN’s Ph.D.thesis accessible here)

 

The concept of wisdom, or ḥikmah, stands as a pillar within the teachings of the Qur'an, offering a lens through which divine guidance can be understood not merely as prescriptive law, but as profound insight into the nature of reality and morality. Far from being a simple synonym for knowledge, ḥikmah in the Qur'an is a multifaceted term that has engaged scholars for centuries, prompting diverse interpretations that reflect its complexity and centrality to the faith. Exploring this concept reveals how the Qur'an synthesises earlier wisdom traditions and articulates a vision of spiritual and ethical understanding that resonates across time.

From the earliest attempts at Qur'anic commentary, scholars wrestled with defining ḥikmah. Some early interpreters equated it with the normative practice of prophet  Muhammad , seeing his life and actions (sunnah) as the embodiment of divine wisdom transmitted alongside the revealed text (al-kitāb). This perspective, while rooted in a desire to anchor wisdom firmly within the unfolding Islamic tradition, faced the challenge that the Qur'an itself doesn't explicitly equate ḥikmah with the  idea of  sunnah. Other early definitions linked ḥikmah to a deep understanding of religion, or encompassing both useful knowledge and righteous action. This reflected an early recognition that wisdom involved both intellectual grasp and practical implementation.

A persistent tension emerged in these discussions: was ḥikmah an integral part of the revealed scripture itself, or something separate and perhaps supplemental? Some scholars sought to firmly constrain the meaning of ḥikmah to the scriptural realm, defining it narrowly as the knowledge of religious laws and their underlying secrets. This impulse aimed to prevent the incorporation of outside philosophical or worldly wisdom from potentially diluting the unique authority of divine revelation. Yet, other perspectives, particularly in later periods, acknowledged that ḥikmah could also refer to wisdom attained through intellect and reflection, suggesting that human understanding could complement divine revelation in grasping the full scope of truth. This view often led to defining ḥikmah as the development of an inner understanding that discerns good and evil, or as the reality of religion, encompassing faith and morality, in contrast to the specific details of religious law.

Crucially, the Qur'an frequently couples ḥikmah with al-kitāb (the scripture), particularly when describing the mission of prophet  Muhammad . This pairing is seen in verses that state the prophet was sent to recite divine signs, purify believers, and teach them the scripture and wisdom. This recurring combination suggests a close relationship, leading some interpretations to propose that ḥikmah functions as a clarification or specific aspect of the scripture. In this reading, al-kitāb might refer to the legal or formal aspects of revelation, while ḥikmah points to the moral and ethical principles, the deeper insights, or the natural moral considerations that underpin the divine law.

This understanding aligns powerfully with passages where ḥikmah is explicitly mentioned in contexts focused on moral guidance and natural law. For instance, a passage often likened to a Qur'anic version of the Decalogue (Q 17:22-39), which outlines fundamental moral precepts like worshipping only God, honoring parents, and various inter-personal ethics, concludes by declaring these teachings are from the wisdom revealed by your Lord. Similarly, the story of Luqmān (Q 31:12-19), a revered sage in pre-Islamic Arabia, recounts the wise advice he imparts to his son, covering themes from monotheism and gratitude to parents, to accountability for one's actions and proper social conduct. The Qur'an states that Luqmān was granted wisdom, and his exhortations exemplify this divine gift. These passages demonstrate that ḥikmah is closely tied to fundamental ethical principles and an inherent understanding of right and wrong, accessible to human reason and conscience, even before explicit revelation.

The connection between ḥikmah and natural morality is further underscored by interpretations linking Qur'anic wisdom passages to the concept of the Golden Rule. The verse that states God grants ḥikmah to whomever He wills, and that whoever is given wisdom has been given an abundant good (Q 2:269), appears in a context discussing financial fairness and charity. Within earlier religious traditions, particularly patristic Christian writings, the Golden Rule was associated with wisdom and natural law. The congruence between the Qur'an's emphasis on generosity and fair dealing in this passage and the ethical principle of reciprocity, coupled with the designation of ḥikmah as "much good," strongly suggests that this verse, and others like it, underscore ḥikmah as encompassing inherent moral understanding. The idea of natural law or morality, knowable through creation and conscience, was a significant discourse in late antiquity, providing a potential backdrop for the Qur'an's articulation of ḥikmah.

Indeed, the Qur'an's discourse on ḥikmah ,like many other beliefs and practices, did not arise in a vacuum but engaged with the rich tapestry of wisdom traditions prevalent in late antiquity. It drew upon and responded to biblical wisdom literature found in texts like Proverbs, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), and the Wisdom of Solomon. These texts explored themes of moral conduct, the fear of God, and the pursuit of knowledge, and they were influential in both Jewish and Christian communities in the centuries leading up to the advent of Islam. The very notion of a figure like Luqmān, a non-prophetic sage endowed with divine wisdom, echoes figures found in earlier wisdom traditions and highlights the Qur'an's engagement with this broader cultural and religious milieu.

Furthermore, the concept of ḥikmah in the Qur'an shows potential connections to Christian discourses of the time, particularly within Syriac Christianity. The idea of wisdom being associated with natural law, and the emphasis on internal understanding and moral discernment, resonate with themes found in patristic writings. Some scholars have even suggested that the Qur'an's pairing of scripture and wisdom, and its emphasis on wisdom as a means of understanding divine will beyond strict legalism, may reflect or respond to ongoing theological discussions within Christianity regarding the relationship between divine law and inherent moral understanding.

Even in some of the earliest Qur'anic passages identified with ḥikmah, like those with apocalyptic themes (Q 54:1-5), wisdom appears not as abstract knowledge, but as crucial insight for responding to divine signs and eschatological warnings. Here, ḥikmah is presented as a far-reaching wisdom that should guide individuals to heed the warnings and avoid sin, underscoring its practical and morally transformative nature.

In conclusion, ḥikmah in the Qur'an is a dynamic and profound concept. It moves beyond mere intellectual capacity or acquired knowledge to signify a deep, often inherent, understanding of divine truth and natural morality. It is presented as a divine gift, closely intertwined with scripture but encompassing the ethical dimensions that make the law comprehensible and actionable. By connecting to earlier wisdom traditions and emphasizing themes of moral accountability, divine unicity, and righteous conduct, the Qur'an's discourse on ḥikmah offers a comprehensive vision of wisdom that is both rooted in the idea of  revelation and accessible through human conscience and reflection. It calls believers not just to follow rules, but to cultivate an inner discernment that allows them to live in accordance with the fundamental wisdom woven into the fabric of creation and revealed through divine guidance. This inherent wisdom, often exemplified by figures like Luqmān or embedded in passages outlining core moral principles, stands as a testament to the Qur'an's vision of a faith grounded in both the idea of  revealed truth and universally accessible moral insight.