The Attributes of a Man of Intellect

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The attribute of a man of intellect is that he is clement towards one who behaves rashly with him, overlooks the fault of one who wrongs him, is humble even towards one who is lower than him in rank, tries to get ahead of those above him in his quest for good. Whenever he wishes to speak, he contemplates if what he wants to say is good, he says it and benefits as a result, and if it is bad, then he keeps quiet and remains safe as a result. When a temptation arises before him, he holds fast to Allah and guards his hand and his tongue if he sees virtue in it, he seizes it, neither losing his modesty thereat nor displaying any greed. These are ten qualities by which a man of intellect may be known.

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The most intelligent of people is he who is best at dealing with people.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The chest of a man of intellect is the strongbox of his secret.

Imam Ali (AS) was asked to describe a man of intellect, to which he replied, ‘He is the one who puts things in their place. The he was asked, ‘So describe to us the ignorant man, to which he replied, ‘I have already done so.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The man of intellect is never stung twice from the same hive.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) was asked what the intellect was, to which he replied, ‘It is that with which The Beneficent God is worshipped and with which Paradise is attained. So the man asked, ‘So what about that which even Muawiya possessed He replied, ‘That is a vicious thing, that is devilry, and resembles intellect, though it is not intellect.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The man of intellect must be well aware of the times he lives in, attentive of his affairs and guarding of his tongue.

Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘Verily the man of intellect never talks to one whom he fears will belie him, nor asks of one whom he fears will deny him, nor promises that which he is not able to fulfil, nor hopes for that which will dash his hopes, nor attempts to advance towards that which he fears he will be incapable of reaching.

Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘Verily the man of intellect contents himself with less worldly things when accompanied with wisdom, and does not content himself with less wisdom and more worldly things, and this is why their trade [of the transient for the permanent] profits them.