Nehjul Balagah Detailed Explanation Nehjul Balagah Detailed Explanation : 90

Detailed Explanation — Wisdom (90): I like the opinion of an old man more than the courage of a young man.

In Wisdom (90), Imam Ali (peace be upon him) elucidates an essential quality of true knowledge. This saying emphasizes that a genuine scholar is one who does not dispel hope in people regarding Allah's mercy. This message is significant because hope plays a crucial role in human life. When individuals lose hope in Allah's mercy, they can become overwhelmed by their difficulties, making life burdensome.

Furthermore, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) highlights that a scholar should not give people complete assurance regarding Allah's punishment either. This implies the necessity of maintaining a balance between the concepts of divine mercy and punishment. The purpose of knowledge is to guide individuals on the right path, which can only be achieved if we instill hope in Allah's mercy while also making them aware of His power and potential punishment.

Another aspect of this wisdom is that it teaches us that the ultimate goal of knowledge is the spiritual and moral development of individuals. A scholar has the responsibility to encourage people toward Allah's mercy and warn them of His punishment, so they may pursue righteousness. This reflects a balance that is fundamental to the essence of knowledge.

This wisdom also reminds us that we should never allow the light of hope in our lives to be extinguished. No matter how challenging circumstances may be, Allah's mercy is always with us. Additionally, we must remember Allah's power to maintain equilibrium in our lives.