IS WISDOM(HIKMAH)
A SUNNAH?
In his work al-Mufradat, Raghib al-Isfahani defines wisdom as follows:
Wisdom (Hikmah) is to arrive at the truth through knowledge and reason. The Qur'an is characterized by its wisdom because it contains it. For example, in the verse: "Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the Wise Book" (10/Yunus 1). In this respect, Allah says: "And indeed, news came to them that would make them abandon their attitude; and that news was profound and effective" (54/Al-Qamar 4-5). To judge(hukm) something is to decide whether it is or is not in a specific way. Judgment(hukm) is more general than wisdom(hikmah). Therefore, every wisdom(hikmah) is a judgment(hukm), but not every judgment(hukm) is wisdom(hikmah); because judgment is to decide on something else by using one thing as a measure.
Then wisdom(hikmah) is translated as making correct judgments(hukm).
The word "wisdom" used in the verses has been used to try and provide evidence from the Quran for the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Imam Shafi'i established a connection between Sunnah and wisdom. Now, let's try to explain that they are not related using the following Quranic verses.
Wisdom is not something exclusive to Prophet Muhammad, because wisdom is given not only to the last prophet or prophets, but to every human being who makes the necessary effort.
And when Allah took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: "Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (wisdom), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him." Allah said: "Do you agree and will you take up My Covenant?" They said: "We agree." He said: "Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses (for this)."
And indeed We bestowed(gave) upon Luqman Al-Hikmah (wisdom) saying: "Give thanks to Allah," and whoever gives thanks, he gives thanks for his ownself. And whoever is unthankful, then verily, Allah is All-Rich, Worthy of all praise.
(There is no indication in the Quran that Luqman was a prophet/messenger )
We consolidated his kingdom and gave him wisdom(Al-Hikmah) and conclusive speech.
(This is a verse from the Quran related to the Prophet David.)
Thus they routed them with Allah’s will, and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him kingdom and wisdom and taught him whatever He liked. Were it not for Allah’s repelling the people by means of one another, the earth would surely have been corrupted; but Allah is gracious to the world’s people.
Do they envy those people for what Allah has given them out of His bounty? We have certainly given the progeny of Abraham the Book and wisdom, and We have given them a great sovereignty.
When Jesus brought those manifest proofs, he said, ‘I have certainly brought you wisdom, and [I have come] to make clear to you some of the things that you differ about. So be wary of Allah and obey me.
And He(Allah) will teach him(Jesus) writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel.
When Allah said: '(Prophet) Jesus, son of Mary, remember the favor upon you and on your mother; how I strengthened you with the Holy Spirit (Gabriel), to speak to people in your cradle and of age (when he descends and dies); how I taught you the Book and Wisdom, the Torah and the Gospel; and how, by My permission, you fashioned from clay the likeness of a bird, and breathed into it so that, by My permission, it became a living bird. How, by My permission, you healed the blind man and the leper, and by My permission you brought the dead forth; and how I protected you from the Children of Israel when you brought them clear signs; whereupon the unbelievers among them said: "This is nothing but plain magic".
He grants wisdom to whomever He wishes, and he, who is given wisdom, is certainly given an abundant good, and none takes admonition except those who possess intellect.
Let 's look at how the Quran defines wisdom for us. In Surah Isra, verses 22 to 38, a list of things to do is given to people, and then in verse 39, it is stated that these are acts of wisdom.
22. Do not set up another god besides Allah, or you will sit blameworthy, forsaken.
23. And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.
24. Lower the wing of humility to them, mercifully, and say, ‘My Lord! Have mercy on them, just as they reared me when I was [a] small [child]!’
25. Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts. Should you be righteous, He is indeed most forgiving toward penitents.
26. Give the relatives their [due] right, and the needy and the traveller [as well], but do not squander wastefully.
27. Indeed the wasteful are brothers of satans, and Satan is ungrateful to his Lord.
28. And if you turn away from them(unable to help them) to seek mercy from your Lord, which you hope for, speak to them a gentle word.
29. Do not keep your hand chained to your neck, nor open it altogether, or you will sit blameworthy(guilty) and regretful.
30. Indeed your Lord expands the provision for whomever He wishes, and tightens it. Indeed, He is well aware of His servants and a keen observer.
31. Do not kill your children for the fear of penury(poverty): We will provide for them and for you. Killing them is indeed a great iniquity.
32. Do not approach fornication(unlawful sexual intercourse). It is indeed an indecency and an evil way.
33. Do not kill a soul [whose life] Allah has made inviolable, except with due cause, and whoever is killed wrongfully, We have certainly given his heir an authority. But let him not commit any excess in killing [the murderer], for he has been assisted.
34. Do not approach the orphan’s property except in the best manner, until he comes of age. Fulfill the covenants; indeed all covenants are accountable.
35. When you measure, observe fully the measure, [and] weigh with an even balance. That is better and more favourable with respect to the outcome [in the Hereafter].
36. Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed hearing, eyesight, and the heart—all of these are accountable.
37. And do not walk on the earth arrogantly. You can neither penetrate the earth, nor can you reach the mountains in height.
38. The evil of all these is detestable(hateful) to your Lord.
These are among [precepts] that your Lord has revealed to you of wisdom. Do not set up another god besides Allah, or you will be cast into hell, being blameworthy[guilty] and banished [from His mercy].
And indeed there has come to them news (in this Quran) wherein there is (enough warning) to check (them from evil), Perfect wisdom (this Quran), but (the preaching of) warners benefit them not,
Verse 4 states that they received warnings containing preventive messages, and verse 5 states that these are superior (fuligha) wisdoms. Since the two verses are interpreted together in the translation, the sentences have been combined.
Wisdom cannot be considered separately from the Quran. The Quran is described as "wise" (containing correct judgments) in the following verses, meaning it contains wisdom .
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the signs of the Wise Book.(Verses of the Quran, Al-Hakim)
These are Verses of the Wise Book (the Quran).
By the Wise Quran,
This is what We recite to you of the Verses and the Wise Reminder.
and it is sublime and wise with Us in the Mother Book.
The fact that wisdom is from the written Quran, not from spoken words, is reinforced in the following verse, which mentions that it must be read. Speech cannot be read.
And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allah and wisdom. Indeed, Allah is ever Subtle and Acquainted [with all things].
The fact that wisdom is derived from the Quran and is nothing different from it is also evident from its mention alongside the Quran, which is described with the word "Kitab" (Book).
Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know.
It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom - although they were before in clear error -
Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.
And if it was not for the favor of Allah upon you, [O Muhammad], and His mercy, a group of them would have determined to mislead you. But they do not mislead except themselves, and they will not harm you at all. And Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has the favor of Allah upon you been great.
Furthermore, the following verse reveals, through a grammatical rule, that Wisdom and the Quran are derived from each other, meaning they originate from a single source. Below, in the word analysis of the verse, we want to draw attention to the word "bihi" (with it) found in the third line.
Saheeh International Translation 2:231
And when you divorce women and they have [nearly] fulfilled their term, either retain them according to acceptable terms or release them according to acceptable terms, and do not keep them, intending harm, to transgress [against them]. And whoever does that has certainly wronged himself. And do not take the verses of Allah in jest. And remember the favor of Allah upon you and what has been revealed to you of the Book and wisdom by which He instructs you. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Knowing of all things.
The Arabic word "bihi" meaning "with it" in the sentence written in bold at the end of the verse (whose individual words we have given above )was probably omitted from the translation because it was lost in the meaning during the translation process.
However, the correct translation should be as shown in the other translations below, by adding the word "therewith/wherewith/whereby"
Qarai
When you divorce women and they complete their term [of waiting], then either retain them honourably or release them honourably, and do not retain them maliciously in order that you may transgress; and whoever does that certainly wrongs himself. Do not take the signs of Allah in derision, and remember Allah’s blessing upon you, and what He has sent down to you of the Book and wisdom, to advise you therewith. Be wary of Allah and know that Allah has knowledge of all things.
Daryabadi
And when ye have divorced your women, and they have attained their period, then either retain them reputably or let them off kindly; and retain them not to their hurt that ye may trespass; and whosoever doth this assuredly wrongeth his soul. And hold not Allah's commandments in mockery and remember Allah's favour upon you, and that he hath sent down unto you the Book and the wisdom wherewith He exhorted you; and fear Allah, and know that verily Allah is of everything the Knower
Hilali & Khan
And when you have divorced women and they have fulfilled the term of their prescribed period, either take them back on reasonable basis or set them free on reasonable basis. But do not take them back to hurt them, and whoever does that, then he has wronged himself. And treat not the Verses (Laws) of Allah as a jest, but remember Allah's Favours on you (i.e. Islam), and that which He has sent down to you of the Book (i.e. the Quran) and Al-Hikmah (the Prophet's Sunnah - legal ways - Islamic jurisprudence, etc.) whereby He instructs you. And fear Allah, and know that Allah is All-Aware of everything.
The emphasis on "with it" in this verse is to indicate that the Book and wisdom are the same source. If it were otherwise, the Quran would use the expression "bihima" instead of "bihi," meaning "with them" Subhanallah...