Allah Ta’ala says that whosoever He grants Hikmat, He has granted them abundant “khayr” or goodness.

The word “Hikmah” is translated into English as “wisdom”. However Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat explains that it is like many Arabic terms which cannot be expressed correctly in English with just one word. The following is an attempt to transcribe Shaykh’s explanation.

To have knowledge of Deen, and to have correct understanding of it are two separate things. Also it is one thing to know the different parts of Deen and another to know the whole Deen to the extent that the full jigsaw puzzle of the Deen falls into place. A Faqeeh will know the whole Deen and will look with insight at everything just as a lawyer who has been practicing law for 50 years will know all the ins and outs of which law to apply when.

When one knows the Deen i.e. the Haqq (truth), and also has correct understanding of it, and thereafter acts upon it, then it is said that one has been blessed with Hikmat. One with hikmat will balance out a situation and act correctly without being overtaken by sentiments and emotions. The question he will ask himself is “what does my Allah want of me at this time?”

Looking at the examples set by our beloved Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam and his Companions, we see that they did not let emotions rule them. At the time of a battle, a Companion wished to join the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam, but because the Companion had elderly parents with no one to look after them he was refused and he accepted it. Then there was the case of the Companions who were caught by the enemy but released on the promise that they would not fight against them in a battle. At the time of the Battle of Badr when every man was needed, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam would not let them fight against the enemy due to the promise they had given.

Where it says “Call towards your Lord with Hikmah”, it is generally taken to mean to give da’wah with diplomacy, but that is not its full meaning. Hikmat is not just winning people over with love and flowery speech which includes even lying a little. It is to put aside emotions and sentiments and saying that which is Haqq (truth).

Following the Deen (the Haqq) i.e. knowing it, having correct understanding of it and then acting upon it without being overcome by sentiments and emotions, is Hikmah.

NOTE: soon after listening to this explanation of "hikmah" i read the following verse of the Holy Qur'an wherein Hikmat is mentioned separately alongside "beautiful counsel";

“Call (people) to the path of your Rabb (Islam) with wisdom and beautiful counsel”
Suratun Nahl, verse 125 (translation from Qur’an made easy Mufti A H Elias)