{"id":905,"date":"2020-12-13T10:04:58","date_gmt":"2020-12-13T06:34:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/?p=905"},"modified":"2026-08-01T23:38:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T20:08:26","slug":"wisdom-4-the-illuminated-path-commentary-on-the-wisdoms-of-nahj-al-balagha-of-imam-ali-a-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wisdom-4-the-illuminated-path-commentary-on-the-wisdoms-of-nahj-al-balagha-of-imam-ali-a-s\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisdom 4 \u2013 The Illuminated Path: Commentary on the Wisdoms of Nahj al-Balagha of Imam Ali (A.S.)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Wisdom 4<\/h2>\n

Imam Ali (A.S.) said:<\/p>\n

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“Contentment is the best companion. Knowledge is a noble inheritance. Good manners are ever-renewing adornments. Reflection is a clear mirror.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Keywords<\/h2>\n

Companion (\u0642\u064e\u0631\u0650\u064a\u0646):<\/strong> A close friend or constant companion.<\/p>\n

Adornment (\u062d\u064f\u0644\u064e\u0644):<\/strong> Ornament, decoration, or beautiful attire.<\/p>\n

Renewed (\u0645\u064f\u062c\u064e\u062f\u0651\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0629):<\/strong> Ever new, continually refreshed.<\/p>\n

Mirror (\u0645\u0650\u0631\u0652\u0622\u0629):<\/strong> A polished surface that faithfully reflects one’s image.<\/p>\n

Explanation<\/h2>\n

Imam Ali (A.S.) teaches that contentment with Allah’s decree is the finest companion a person can have. He describes knowledge as a precious inheritance, good manners as a lasting adornment, and thoughtful reflection as a clear mirror that reveals reality.<\/p>\n

Summary of Wisdom 4<\/h2>\n

In this illuminating wisdom, Imam Ali (A.S.) highlights the value of four priceless qualities:<\/p>\n

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  1. Contentment with Allah’s will as the best companion.<\/li>\n
  2. Knowledge and learning as a noble inheritance.<\/li>\n
  3. Good manners as a lasting ornament.<\/li>\n
  4. Reflection as a clear and truthful mirror.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Each of these qualities contributes to spiritual growth and moral excellence.<\/p>\n

    Commentary<\/h2>\n

    1. Knowledge Is the Greatest Inheritance<\/h3>\n

    The inheritance of knowledge is far more valuable than material wealth.<\/p>\n

    Unlike money, which may benefit only its owner, knowledge benefits both its possessor and everyone who learns from it. A person who leaves behind beneficial knowledge continues to receive reward after death because that knowledge remains a form of ongoing righteous charity (Sadaqah Jariyah<\/em>).<\/p>\n

    2. The Meaning of Good Manners<\/h3>\n

    Good manners include proper conduct before Allah and before people.<\/p>\n

    This includes observing religious etiquette\u2014such as the manners of reciting the Qur’an, eating, and hospitality\u2014as well as honorable social customs that are consistent with Islamic teachings.<\/p>\n

    3. Good Character Is the Finest Ornament<\/h3>\n

    Imam Ali (A.S.) compares good manners to beautiful clothing and ornaments.<\/p>\n

    This comparison emphasizes that the true beauty of a person is not found in outward appearance but in noble character and ethical conduct, which beautify life and strengthen human relationships.<\/p>\n

    4. Reflection Is Like a Clear Mirror<\/h3>\n

    A clean mirror neither enlarges nor diminishes what it reflects.<\/p>\n

    Likewise, sincere reflection reveals reality exactly as it is. It neither flatters like an insincere friend nor searches for faults like an enemy.<\/p>\n

    Instead, thoughtful self-examination honestly reveals one’s strengths and weaknesses, enabling personal growth and self-improvement.<\/p>\n

    Practical Lessons<\/h2>\n

    1. Contentment Brings Inner Peace<\/h3>\n

    Being content with Allah’s decree is one of the highest spiritual stations.<\/p>\n

    A person who truly accepts Allah’s wisdom avoids constant complaint and finds tranquility even during life’s difficulties.<\/p>\n

    2. Character Is the True Beauty of a Person<\/h3>\n

    Trees are adorned with leaves and flowers.<\/p>\n

    The worldly life is adorned with wealth and children.<\/p>\n

    People decorate themselves with clothing, jewelry, and other outward appearances.<\/p>\n

    However, the greatest adornment of a human being is noble character.<\/p>\n

    Through obedience to Allah, fulfilling obligations, avoiding sins, and treating people with kindness and respect, a believer continually beautifies both his soul and his relationships.<\/p>\n

    Reflection serves as the mirror through which a person continually refines and improves himself.<\/p>\n

    3. Conceal the Faults of Friends<\/h3>\n

    Maintaining friendship requires loyalty and discretion.<\/p>\n

    One of the essential qualities of a sincere friend is protecting another person’s dignity by concealing faults rather than exposing them.<\/p>\n

    A Beautiful Story<\/h2>\n

    When Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (A.S.) was thrown into the fire because of his belief in Allah, the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) (A.S.) came to him and asked:<\/p>\n

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    “Do you have any need?”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Out of perfect devotion and etiquette before Allah, Prophet Ibrahim replied:<\/p>\n

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    “Not from you.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Jibril then said:<\/p>\n

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    “Then ask Allah.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Prophet Ibrahim answered:<\/p>\n

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    “His knowledge of my condition is sufficient for my request.”<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    His complete trust and contentment in Allah’s knowledge and wisdom became one of the greatest examples of faith and submission.<\/p>\n

    Self-Assessment<\/h2>\n
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    1. Why does Imam Ali (A.S.) compare reflection to a clear mirror?<\/li>\n
    2. According to this wisdom, what is the true adornment of a human being?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      Related Articles<\/h3>\n
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      • Wisdom 4 \u2013 Contentment, Knowledge, and Reflection in Nahj al-Balagha<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Wisdom 4 \u2013 Nahj al-Balagha, Imam Ali (A.S.)<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • The Value of Good Character in Islam<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Self-Reflection as a Path to Personal Growth<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • The Illuminated Path: Commentary on the Wisdoms of Nahj al-Balagha \u2013 Wisdom 4<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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        <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Wisdom 4 Imam Ali (A.S.) said: “Contentment is the best companion. Knowledge is a noble inheritance. Good manners are ever-renewing adornments. Reflection is a clear mirror.” Keywords Companion (\u0642\u064e\u0631\u0650\u064a\u0646): A close friend or constant companion. Adornment (\u062d\u064f\u0644\u064e\u0644): Ornament, decoration, or beautiful attire. Renewed (\u0645\u064f\u062c\u064e\u062f\u0651\u064e\u062f\u064e\u0629): Ever new, continually refreshed. Mirror (\u0645\u0650\u0631\u0652\u0622\u0629): A polished surface that faithfully […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1074,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[71,120],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","category-the-luminous-path"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=905"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2376,"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/905\/revisions\/2376"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2noor.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}