Justice and Security
عدل اور امن
لِکُلِّ شَیْءٍ زَکَاةٌ، وَزَکَاةُ الْعَقْلِ احْتِمَالُ الْجُهَّالِ.
ہر چیز کی ایک زکوٰۃ ہوتی ہے، اور عقل کی زکوٰۃ جاہلوں (کی باتوں) کو برداشت کرنا ہے۔
“Everything has a tax (Zakat), and the Zakat of intelligence is to endure ignorant people.”
Reflections: Imam Ali ؑ uses the concept of Zakat (purifying tax) in a philosophical sense. Just as wealth must be shared to remain pure, the gift of intellect ($`Aql$) requires a “payment.” That payment is Patience. A truly wise person demonstrates their superior understanding not by arguing with the ignorant, but by having the emotional strength to tolerate them. This wisdom suggests that intelligence is only perfected when it is tempered with self-control and forbearance.