Community number: C-6 G-27 Group Head: Asma Qureshi
Task 10
H I K M A H
Coordinator/Presenter: Bassaam Khan Group Captain : Rumana Farooqui
HIKMAH
The Arabic word Hikmah derives from the root م-ك-( حḥ-
k-m), which is fundamentally associated with concepts of
judgment, authority, and decision-making.
Hikmah literally signifies "the capacity to make sound judgments"
or "the quality of wisdom that prevents ignorance or error." It
combines the ideas of authoritative discernment and practical
application of knowledge to arrive at right decisions.
Hikmah is often translated as "wisdom" but carries deeper
connotations of insightful understanding and moral
governance.
Hikmah has appears 20 times in the Qur’an across 17 different Suarahs
Key Context Of
Hikmah In the Quran
1. As a Divine Gift Linked to Scripture and Prophethood:
Surah Baqarah: 129: (Ibrahim (a.s) prayer): "Our Lord, send among them a
messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach
them the Book and the Hikmah..."
2. As Moral and Practical Wisdom:
Surah Baqarah: 269: "He grants Hikmah to whom He wills, and whoever
is granted Hikmah has been given much good. But none will grasp it
except those of understanding."
3. As a Tool for Daʿwah (Inviting to Islam):
Surah Nahl: 125: "Invite to the way of your Lord with Hikmah and
good instruction, and debate with them in the best manner."
Several Terms contextulizing
the meaning of Hikmah
1) Ilm- Knowledge: Q 2: 269 "He grants Hikmah to whom He wills,
and whoever is granted Hikmah has been given much good. But
none will grasp it except ( ُأوُلو اَأْلْلَباِبUlū al-Albāb – those of
understanding)."
2) Rushd- Right Guidance or Maturity: Q18: 10 "Our Lord, grant us
mercy from Yourself and ( َأْص ِلْح َلَنا ُرْش َد َناaṣliḥ lanā rushdanā –
make our guidance firm)."
3) Aql- Intellect: Q2: 164 “In the creation of the heavens and earth...
signs for people who ( َيْع ِق ُلوَنyaʿqilūn – use their intellect)."
4) Fiqh- Deep understanding 6) Basirah- Insight
5) Dhikr- Remembrance or Admonition
7) Tadhkirah- Admonition 8) Huda- Guidance
Topics & Subjects
Under Hikmah
1. Theological & Spiritual Insight: Understanding Allah’s
Attributes & Reflection on Creation
2. Prophetic Guidance & Moral Instruction: Lessons from the
Prophets & Moral Teachings
3. Jurisprudence & Practical Legal Reasoning (Fiqh): Derivation
of Islamic Law & Balancing Justice & Law
Topics & Subjects
Under Hikmah
4. Moral & Ethical Conduct: Personal Conduct & Social
Interactions
5. Practical & Everyday Wisdom: Decision Making &
Leadership & Community Management
6. Philosophical & Reflective Thought: Integration of
Knowledge & Contemplation of Life’s Purpose
Hikmah Relation To
Prophet Isa (a.s)
In Islam, Hikmah (wisdom) is intimately connected to Prophet
Isa (peace be upon him) as a divine gift bestowed upon him by
Allah.
Surah Ale Imran: 48-49: "And He will teach him writing and
wisdom (Hikmah) and the Torah and the Gospel. And [make
him] a messenger to the Children of Israel..."
Isa a.s miracles such as healing the blind, raising the dead,
and speaking in infancy were signs (ayat) of his
prophethood. and Hikmah underpinned these acts, enabling
him to contextualize their purpose
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)
exemplification of Hikmah
1. Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution: Treaty of
Hududaybiya (628 CE) & Forgiveness after Conquest
of Makkah (630 CE)
2. Governance and Social Justice: Constitution of
Madinah (622 CE) & Economic Fairness
3. Education and Moral Guidance: Parables & Analogies
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)
exemplification of Hikmah
4. Personal Conduct and Relationships: Family Life &
Moderation
5. Spiritual and Ethical Wisdom: Intentions (Niyyah)
& Mercy and Justice
6. Rationalism & Adaptability: Flexibility in Worship &
Consultation (shura)
Hikmah’s Impact on
the Universe
The concept of ḥikmah (wisdom) in Islam is deeply tied to divine
purpose, cosmic harmony, and humanity’s role in creation.
1. Cosmic Order: Ḥikmah as Divine Design : The universe itself is a
manifestation of Allah’s wisdom:
“We created not the heavens and the earth and all between them except with truth, and for a
term appointed” (surah Al Ahqaf:3)
2. Human Stewardship: Aligning with Cosmic Ḥikmah: Humans are tasked as
khalīfah (stewards) on Earth (Quran 2:30). Applying ḥikmah means fulfilling
this role by promoting justice, preserving nature, and avoiding waste (isrāf)
3. Prophetic Impact: Transforming Creation through Wisdom: Prophets as
Bearers of Ḥikmah:: Prophets like Muhammad ﷺwere sent to realign
humanity with divine wisdom. Their teachings restored balance in societies
plagued by idolatry, injustice, and moral decay.
Hikmah’s Impact on
the Universe
4. Intellectual and Scientific Legacy: Pursuit of Knowledge: Ḥikmah inspired the Islamic
Golden Age, where scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Al-Biruni sought to uncover
the “wisdom” in creation through science, medicine, and philosophy.
The Quran urges reflection on the universe: “Indeed, in the creation of the
heavens and the earth are signs for people of understanding” (3:190).
5. Spiritual Resonance: Ḥikmah and the Unseen: Acts of wisdom such as
charity, forgiveness, and prayer—ripple beyond the material world. The
Prophet ﷺtaught that even a smile is charity (Sahih Bukhari), illustrating
how small acts of ḥikmah contribute to universal goodness.
6. Eschatological Balance: Restoring Ultimate Justice: Ḥikmah ensures that the
universe’s moral order will culminate in the Day of Judgment, where all
imbalances are rectified.
“We will set up scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will
be wronged at all” (Surah Al Anbya:47).
Q&A
