Deception Mistaken for Intelligence: Lessons from Imam Ali (A) for Our Time

Introduction

In remembrance of 5 Jumada al-Thani, the anniversary of the passing of Ibn Abī al-Hadīd, the distinguished commentator of Nahj al-Balāgha, it is fitting to revisit a profound passage from this timeless masterpiece. In honour of his scholarly legacy, this week’s “Hadith of the Week” reflects on a powerful excerpt from Sermon 41, in which Imam Ali (peace be upon him) describes a social and moral climate strikingly similar to what we often witness today:

وَ لَقَدْ أَصْبَحْنَا فِي زَمَانٍ قَدِ اتَّخَذَ أَكْثَرُ أَهْلِهِ الْغَدْرَ كَيْساً وَ نَسَبَهُمْ أَهْلُ الْجَهْلِ فِيهِ إِلَى حُسْنِ الْحِيلَةِ

Imam Ali (as): “We have entered a time in which most people regard treachery as a sign of intelligence, and the ignorant praise it as skilful strategy.” (Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 41).

Educational messages of this hadith for teens and youth

• Avoid Deceit in All Its Forms

Imam Ali teaches that trickery, even when small, corrupts character and damages trust; true believers keep their intentions and actions clean.

Practical Challenge: When tempted to use a shortcut, exaggeration, or small deception, pause and choose the honest path instead.

• Don’t Be Misled by Society’s False Praise of Cunning

Popular culture may present manipulation as “smartness”, but wisdom is knowing that deceit harms you and others in the long run.

Practical Challenge: Identify one situation where people around you praised dishonesty as cleverness – and write down why you disagree.

• Distance Yourself from Those Who Celebrate Deceit

Imam Ali warns that spending time with people who equate trickery with intelligence can slowly influence your behaviour and values.

Practical Challenge: Reflect on your friendships and reduce time with anyone who encourages lying, cheating, or manipulation.

• A Wise Person Is Truthful and Free from Trickery

In Imam Ali’s teaching, wisdom is inseparable from honesty; the truly intelligent person chooses clarity and truth over cunning and deceit.

Practical Challenge: Practice speaking the truth kindly in one situation this week, even if a small lie might seem easier.

• Think Before You Imitate Trends

Not every popular behaviour is worthy of imitation; some trends promote dishonesty disguised as cleverness.

Practical Challenge: Before joining a trend, ask yourself: “Does this align with my values, or am I just copying others?”

• Build a Reputation of Trustworthiness

Being someone, others can rely on is far more valuable than being someone who “outsmarts” others through deceit.

Practical Challenge: Do one task this week – academic, social, or online – where you fully commit to being trustworthy.

• Use Your Intelligence for Good, Not for Trickery

Real cleverness is using your skills to solve problems ethically, not to take advantage of others.

Practical Challenge: Help a friend or classmate solve a problem through honest effort, not shortcuts.

Educational messages of this hadith for parents

• Teach Children that Deception Is Not Cleverness

Children must learn early that lying and trickery are not indicators of intelligence.

Practical Challenge: Share a family story or real example where deceit led to negative consequences.

• Praise Honesty More Than Achievement

When parents reward only results, children may justify dishonest methods.

Practical Challenge: This week, openly acknowledge your child’s honesty—even if the outcome was imperfect.

• Help Children Identify Manipulation

Young people often struggle to recognise when they are being used or deceived.

Practical Challenge: Discuss one media example (advertisement, social media trend, or film) that glamorises deception.

• Promote Transparency as the Opposite of Deceit

The true alternative to trickery is openness; when parents build a home grounded in transparent decisions and honest communication, children naturally learn to live without secrecy or deception.

Practical Challenge: Choose one area of family life this week where you can be more open – such as decisions, plans, or finances – and model clarity for your children.

Educational messages of this hadith for imams and religious leaders

• Address Manipulation in Social and Digital Culture

Many forms of online behaviour normalise cunning and trickery; the pulpit should confront this.

Practical Challenge: Host a youth circle titled “Smart or Misguided? Understanding Today’s Definitions of Intelligence.”

• Promote Ethical Leadership

Imam Ali’s words apply strongly to leadership; followers must not equate manipulation with effectiveness.

Practical Challenge: Dedicate part of a khutbah to contrasting true Islamic leadership with deceptive leadership.