In reading the Qur'an, we often come across many concepts with which we are familiar in our daily lives. These concepts are the key toan understanding of the Qur'an. Wisdom, patience, loyalty, unbelief and the favours of Allah are some of these concepts, toname a few.
The majority of the aforementioned concepts are, however, used with quite different connotations in the course of our daily lives. Should those somewhat conversant with the Qur'an establish their Qur'anic standpoint on the basis of these connotations, they will surely come tohave a poor grasp of its content.
Let's take "wisdom" as an example. "Wisdom" is randomly used toexpress intelligence, smartness etc. Yet, none of these meanings bear any similarity whatsoever tothe word's actual meaning in the Qur'an. in its real sense, wisdom is a favour granted exclusively tobelievers. Contrary tothe prevalent conviction, it does not remain constant; it changes depending upon the strength of personal faith. Wisdom is a divine guide for the soul; displaying a righteous attitude and conduct toearn the pleasure of Allah, observing Allah's limits, obeying the commandments of Allah, distinguishing good from evil, conducting oneself in the best possible way, giving the best decisions toattain the hereafter-all these become possible through wisdom.
An unbeliever, albeit an intelligent one, can never employ wisdom. He can be very intelligent; yet, being unfaithful, he can never conceive what wisdom really is. Intelligence is often believed tobe synonymous with wisdom. Some, on the other hand, construe wisdom as a kind of intelligence blended with some sort of dignity and maturity. in reality, however, an unbeliever, even a mature, experienced, intelligent and sober one, lacks wisdom.