Why Intelligent People Are Worthless Without Taqwa

In Islam, knowledge is not measured solely by the breadth of a person’s learning, but also by their taqwa to Allah SWT. For knowledge without taqwa there is a fear it may breed arrogance and distance people from the values of goodness. Therefore, the higher a person’s knowledge, the more humble they should be. A scholar who truly understands the essence of knowledge will realise that all the knowledge he possesses is but a gift from Allah, the One Who knows all things. Yet in life, not a few learned people become trapped in pride. The knowledge they possess does not bring them closer to Allah, and even the advice they convey often fails to touch people’s hearts. This warning was given by the Prophet Muhammad to Ali ibn Abi Talib. The guidance is recorded in Wasiyatul Musthafa, a work by the eminent Egyptian scholar Abdul Wahhab as-Sya’rani. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

يَا عَلِيُّ، إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنِ الْعَالِمُ تَقِيًّا ظَلَّتْ مَوْعِظَتُهُ عَلَى قُلُوْبِ النَّاسِ كَمَا يَظِلُّ الْقَطْرُ عَلَى baaidhin na‘āmi wash-shafā.

Transliteration:

Yā ’Aliyyu, idzā lam yakunil ’ālimu taqiyyan zhallat mau‘izhathuhu ’alā qulūbin nāsi kamā yazhillul qathru ’alā baidhin na‘āmi wash-shafā.

Artinya:

“Wahai Ali, jika orang alim tidak bertakwa maka nasihat yang disampaikannya kepada hati manusia seperti tetesan air di atas telur burung unta dan di atas batu yang licin.”

The analogy shows that advice from a knowledgeable person who is not pious will not leave a lasting impression on people’s hearts. The counsel delivered easily disappears, like water that cannot settle on a smooth surface.

Because of this, Islam not only emphasises the importance of seeking knowledge but also maintaining taqwa and akhlak. Knowledge accompanied by taqwa becomes a light and benefits many; whereas knowledge without taqwa is feared to only give rise to arrogance that distances people from Allah SWT.