HAVE YOU EVER noticed in the Qur’an that the name al-Hakim (the All-Wise) is paired with either al-Alim (All-Knowing) or al-Aziz (All-Mighty)?
Why is wisdom linked with knowledge and might?
It points to something that most parents will have experienced. Parents exert might/power over their children. We also have more knowledge than our children. But neither of these alone necessarily leads to the desired change in our children. We need something more- wisdom. It is wisdom that brings out the greatness of both knowledge and power.
What is wisdom? We generally think of wisdom as the ability to make correct judgments and decisions or foreseeing consequences and acting to maximize beneficial results or making the best use of available knowledge or thinking what is best and doing what is best in any given situation.
I always found it useful to think of wisdom as placing a thing in its exact location. To do that needs careful thought and understanding to ensure that the action fulfils its desired goal. It requires planning, deliberation and enactment.
How many times have we had to deal with a situation with our children and found that the step we took could have been so much better if we had just stopped and thought about it a little more? Going away and thinking about things is not a sign of weakness or inability but wisdom. It is far better to come back with a well-thought-through decision than rush into something and later regret it.
It is important to also understand what wisdom is not. There is no wisdom in disobeying Allah for what we perceive to be some benefit. The law and guidance of al-Hakim elevate us, not cause hardship in life. The wise one knows that there is a limit to human wisdom and it is Allah who is al-Hakim- the All-Wise. It is His Book that is full of the wisest guidance. By following that guidance we reach the true benefit that al-Hakim wants us to reach. In other words, His laws are best for us. If we do not understand His laws, it is not the laws but our own understanding that needs to be questioned.
The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘A wise man is the one who calls himself to account (and refrains from doing evil deeds) and does noble deeds to benefit him after death, and the foolish person is the one who subdues himself to his temptations and desires and seeks from Allah the fulfilment of his vain desires.’ (Tirmidhi)
Practical steps to increase wisdom
1. Never makes decisions when emotional or in haste
2. You rarely need to deal with an issue immediately so go away and think about things. What is the best way of bringing about the change? Know the person and what motivates them.
3. Read a lot. Have a broad knowledge about Islam and life matters.
4. Take advice from those who have experience. Learning the ‘hard way’ usually lends itself to wisdom!
5. Don’t give up if things don’t work out. Learn from failure and try again with a different approach.
6. Make dua to Allah.
يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ
‘He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been given much good. And none will remember except those of understanding.’ (al Baqarah 269)
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