Knowledge that is not put into practice is a sign of hypocrisy

Occasions for reflecting on this hadith: 22 Shaʿbān: Death of Ibn Shahr Āshūb / 24 Shaʿbān: Death of Mirzā Muḥammad Ḥasan Shīrāzī / 11 February: International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Introduction

On the anniversaries of the passing of two great Shi‘a scholars, Ibn Shahr Āshūb and Mīrzā-ye Bozorg, and on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we reflect on a powerful saying of Imam ‘Ali (peace be upon him). This short but deep hadith reminds us that true knowledge is not what we say, but what we live:

امیرالمومنین علی (ع): عِلمُ الْمُنافِقِ في لِسانِهِ و َعِلْمُ الْمُؤْمِنِ في عَمَلِهِ

“The knowledge of a hypocrite is on his tongue, but the knowledge of a believer is in his actions.” (Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6288)

Educational messages of the hadith for teens and youth

1. Practise What You Say

Try to act on what you know and what you speak about, because real knowledge is shown in behaviour.

Practical Challenge: Choose one good value you talk about and practise it today.

2. Check Your Actions Regularly

Think about how much your actions match your words and try to improve a little every day.

Practical Challenge: Each night, write one thing you did well and one thing to fix tomorrow.

3. Choose Honest Friends

Do not be close to people whose words and actions do not match, because they can mislead you.

Practical Challenge: Spend more time with one friend who shows good behaviour.

4. Talk Less, Do More

Reduce unnecessary talk and increase useful actions.

Practical Challenge: Stay silent for one hour today and focus on doing something helpful.

5. Actions Show Who You Are

Real knowledge appears in how you behave.

Practical Challenge: Do one kind action daily without telling anyone.

6. Do Not Show Off What You Know

Talking too much without doing leads to emptiness.

Practical Challenge: Stay silent once when you want to show off.

7. Learn What Makes You Better

Do not chase knowledge that does not improve your behaviour and character.

Practical Challenge: Ask yourself before learning something new: “Will this make me a better person?”

8. Do Not Follow Empty Talkers

Do not listen to or follow people whose words are not reflected in their actions.

Practical Challenge: Unfollow one account today that spreads words without real values.

Educational messages of the hadith for parents

1. Turn Advice into Action

Your words gain value when lived.

Practical Challenge: Show one moral value through action today.

2. Raise Accountable Children

Teach your children to take responsibility for their actions and behaviour.

Practical Challenge: At the end of the day, ask your child one gentle question about what they did well and what they can improve tomorrow.

3. Avoid Double Standards

Do not demand what you do not practise.

Practical Challenge: Fix one habit you criticise in others.

Educational messages of the hadith for Imams, chaplains, and religious leaders

1. Live Your Sermons

Remember this golden principle: Your words become effective on your audience only when you have truly understood them, believe in them, and put them into practice yourself.

Practical Challenge: Practise one message you preach this week.

2. Be a Visible Example

Your behaviour teaches more than your speech.

Practical Challenge: Serve someone quietly after prayers.

3. Connect Knowledge to Life

Make faith practical, not only theoretical.

Practical Challenge: Share one real-life example in your next khutbah.

4. Lead Through Service

Serving other people is the clearest and most valuable form of knowledge.

Practical Challenge: Volunteer for a community need this month.