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Ulu l-Albāb (Arabic: أولوا الألباب) is a Quranic term meaning "possessors of intellect and wisdom," used to designate prominent and distinguished believers. The Quran attributes several characteristics to the Ulu l-Albab, including fulfilling the divine covenant, fearing God and the punishment of the Hereafter, exercising patience and steadfastness in obedience, performing prayer, and giving infaq (spending in the way of God).

Certain verses state that the understanding of specific concepts, such as pondering over verses of the Quran, is exclusive to the Ulu l-Albab. Other verses invite them to observe Taqwa (God-wariness). Exegetes have identified the Shi'a, scholars, seekers of truth, and those possessing pure intellects capable of comprehending divine rulings as instances of Ulu l-Albab. It is generally held that while exegetes may cite specific examples, the concept encompasses all human beings who meet the requisite conditions.

Semantics

"Ulu l-Albāb" is a key term in the Quranic epistemic and ethical system, referring to God's elite and devoted servants.[1]

Linguistically, albāb is the plural of lubb, meaning intellects (ʿuqūl).[2] The term lubb also denotes the pure, refined essence[3] or the core of something.[4] Consequently, some scholars consider Ulu l-Albab synonymous with Ulī l-ʿuqūl[5] or Dhawī l-ʿuqūl (possessors of intellects).[6]

While some exegetes interpret Ulu l-Albab literally as "possessors of intellects,"[7] others propose deeper meanings, such as believers who possess intellect,[8] possessors of perfect intellects,[9] or possessors of sound intellects free from corruption and illusion.[10]

Difference between 'Aql and Lubb

Linguists distinguish between ʿaql (intellect) and lubb, defining lubb as intellect purified from contaminants. They assert that while every lubb is an ʿaql, not every ʿaql qualifies as lubb.[11] The primary distinction posits lubb as an evolved stage of ʿaql that guides humanity toward Tawhid (monotheism) and gnosis (*ma'rifa*), whereas ʿaql functions at a more rudimentary level, distinguishing between good and evil.[12]

Researchers argue that reducing "Ulu l-Albab" to merely "wise ones" neglects the multifaceted nature of their character. Such individuals not only possess theoretical intellectual perfection but have also attained the pinnacle of practical wisdom in their actions and behavior.[13]

Scope of Usage in the Quran

The term Ulu l-Albab appears 16 times in the Quran, specifically in verses 2:179, 2:197, 2:269, 3:7, 3:190, 5:100, 12:111, 13:19, 14:52, 38:29, 38:43, 39:9, 39:18, 39:21, 40:54, and 65:10.

Some verses detail the characteristics of the Ulu l-Albab.[14] Others indicate that understanding specific concepts—such as wisdom,[15] the nature of Muhkam and Mutashabih (clear and ambiguous verses),[16] and reflection upon Quranic verses[17]—is exclusive to them.[18] In four instances, the Quran addresses possessors of intellect directly, inviting them to divine piety.[19] This has led some scholars to conclude that lubb is contingent upon taqwā, implying that an impious person cannot be considered among the Ulu l-Albab.[20]

Characteristics

The Quran ascribes numerous attributes to the Ulu l-Albab, including unshakeable faith in God, constant remembrance of Him, contemplation of creation's secrets, seeking forgiveness,[21] honoring the divine covenant, fearing God and the Hereafter, maintaining patience and steadfastness in obedience, performing prayer, and practicing infaq.[22]

Additional characteristics include deriving lessons from Quranic narratives,[23] receptivity to guidance,[24] devotion to worship and night prayer,[25] the capacity to reflect upon and heed Quranic verses,[26] and the pursuit of the best speech under divine guidance.[27]

It is said that Ulu l-Albab possess the discernment to distinguish truth from falsehood, choosing the optimal path of divine obedience while remaining committed to remembrance (*dhikr*), reasoning, and wisdom.[28] Drawing on Qur'an 40:54, some exegetes identify the acceptance of Wilaya (guardianship) as a defining trait of this group.[29]

Instances

Exegetes have proposed various groups as instances of Ulu l-Albab, including believers,[30] scholars, thinkers,[31] those firmly grounded in knowledge,[32] seekers of truth,[33] and pure intellects capable of comprehending divine laws.[34]

Narrations from Imam al-Sadiq (a) identify the Shi'a as instances of Ulu l-Albab.[35] Consequently, some scholars cite the Infallibles (a) as the supreme examples, followed by their Shi'a followers.[36] Regarding the occasion of revelation for Qur'an 39:18, figures such as Zayd b. 'Amr, Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, and Salman al-Farsi—who proclaimed "Lā Ilāha Illā Allāh" (There is no god but Allah) during the Jahiliyya and received divine guidance without a prophet or scripture—are considered among the Ulu l-Albab.[37]

Nasir Makarim Shirazi, author of Tafsir-i nimuna, asserts that the citation of specific examples by exegetes does not restrict the verse's general application.[38] The concept encompasses all individuals who, by employing their innate intellect without the corruption of sensual illusions and reflecting on divine signs, merit the attainment of divine wisdom.[39] Thus, those who grasp and internalize authentic divine teachings at the highest level—following the Prophets and Divine Saints—while remaining free from impurity, temptation, and illusion, are counted among the Ulu l-Albab.[40]

Notes

  1. ↑ Mīraḥmadī & Ṣādiqī, «Mafhūm-shināsī wa wīzhagī-hā-yi Ulu l-albāb», pp. 121–122.
  2. ↑ Farāhīdī, Kitāb al-ʿayn, vol. 8, p. 317; Ṭurayḥī, Majmaʿ al-baḥrayn, 1375 Sh, vol. 2, p. 65.
  3. ↑ Ibn Durayd, Jamharat al-lugha, vol. 1, p. 76; Ibn Fāris, Muʿjam maqāyīs al-lugha, vol. 5, p. 200; Ṭurayḥī, Majmaʿ al-baḥrayn, 1375 Sh, vol. 2, p. 165.
  4. ↑ Ṣāḥib b. ʿAbbād, Al-Muḥīṭ fī l-lugha, vol. 10, p. 310; Ibn Manẓūr, Lisān al-ʿArab, 1414 AH, vol. 1, p. 729.
  5. ↑ Ṭurayḥī, Majmaʿ al-baḥrayn, 1375 Sh, vol. 2, p. 164.
  6. ↑ Ṭabarsī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, 1372 Sh, vol. 1, p. 481, vol. 2, p. 325.
  7. ↑ Fayḍ al-Kāshānī, Tafsīr al-ṣāfī, 1415 AH, vol. 1, p. 216; Qurṭubī, Al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-Qurʾān, 1364 Sh, vol. 18, p. 173.
  8. ↑ Ṭabarsī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, 1372 Sh, vol. 8, p. 767.
  9. ↑ Qummī Mashhadī, Tafsīr kanz al-daqāʾiq, 1368 Sh, vol. 2, p. 230; Bayḍāwī, Anwār al-tanzīl, 1418 AH, vol. 1, p. 122.
  10. ↑ Ālūsī, Rūḥ al-maʿānī, 1415 AH, vol. 12, p. 330.
  11. ↑ Rāghib al-Iṣfahānī, Mufradāt alfāẓ al-Qurʾān, 1374 Sh, p. 733.
  12. ↑ Mīraḥmadī & Ṣādiqī, «Mafhūm-shināsī wa wīzhagī-hā-yi Ulu l-albāb», p. 128 (citing Rakhshād, pp. 366–367).
  13. ↑ Mīraḥmadī & Ṣādiqī, «Mafhūm-shināsī wa wīzhagī-hā-yi Ulu l-albāb», p. 121.
  14. ↑ Qur'an, 39:18.
  15. ↑ Qur'an, 2:269.
  16. ↑ Qur'an, 3:7.
  17. ↑ Qur'an, 38:29.
  18. ↑ Qur'an, 3:190, 13:19, 12:111, 14:52, 39:9, 39:21, 40:54.
  19. ↑ Qur'an, 2:179, 2:197, 5:100, 65:10.
  20. ↑ Zamakhsharī, Al-Kashshāf, 1407 AH, vol. 1, p. 244.
  21. ↑ Qur'an, 2:190-194.
  22. ↑ Qur'an, 13:19-22.
  23. ↑ Qur'an, 12:111.
  24. ↑ Qur'an, 40:54.
  25. ↑ Qur'an, 39:9.
  26. ↑ Qur'an, 38:29.
  27. ↑ Qur'an, 39:18.
  28. ↑ Mīraḥmadī & Ṣādiqī, «Mafhūm-shināsī wa wīzhagī-hā-yi Ulu l-albāb», p. 121.
  29. ↑ Gunābādī, Bayān al-saʿāda, 1408 AH, vol. 2, p. 382.
  30. ↑ Ṭabāṭabāʾī, Al-Mīzān, 1390 AH, vol. 19, pp. 324–325.
  31. ↑ Nūrūzī, «Ulu l-albāb az manẓar-i Qurʾān-i karīm», pp. 166–167.
  32. ↑ Zamakhsharī, Al-Kashshāf, 1407 AH, vol. 1, pp. 337–338; Fakhr al-Rāzī, Al-Tafsīr al-kabīr, 1420 AH, vol. 7, p. 146.
  33. ↑ Mīraḥmadī & Ṣādiqī, «Mafhūm-shināsī wa wīzhagī-hā-yi Ulu l-albāb», p. 128.
  34. ↑ Rāghib al-Iṣfahānī, Mufradāt alfāẓ al-Qurʾān, 1374 Sh, p. 733.
  35. ↑ Barqī, Al-Mahāsin, 1371 AH, vol. 1, p. 169; Ṣaffār, Baṣāʾir al-darajāt, 1404 AH, vol. 1, p. 55; Furāt al-Kūfī, Tafsīr Furāt al-Kūfī, 1410 AH, p. 365; Ibn Ḥayyūn, Sharḥ al-akhbār, 1409 AH, vol. 3, p. 473.
  36. ↑ Mīraḥmadī & Ṣādiqī, «Mafhūm-shināsī wa wīzhagī-hā-yi Ulu l-albāb», p. 139.
  37. ↑ Ṭabarī, Jāmiʿ al-bayān, 1412 AH, vol. 23, p. 132.
  38. ↑ Makārim Shīrāzī, Tafsīr-i nimūna, 1371 Sh, vol. 19, p. 397.
  39. ↑ Nūrūzī, «Ulu l-albāb az manẓar-i Qurʾān-i karīm», pp. 166–167.
  40. ↑ Mīraḥmadī & Ṣādiqī, «Mafhūm-shināsī wa wīzhagī-hā-yi Ulu l-albāb», p. 121.

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