In this hadith ...

In this hadith , Imam Baqer first advises his son to judge the Shi'a and followers of the Prophet’s Household by the criterion of their knowledge, that is understanding of hadith. He then goes on to say': It is understanding of the hadith that ralses a believer to the highest levels of faith'. In other words. what 'really matters is a deep understanding of the hadith and a more knowledge of many hadith without fully Understanding them is of little value.

without fully Understanding them is of little value. Continuing. the Imam quotes a hadith of Imam Ali. He says: 'I was studying the book of Ali and in it I came across this sentence:' "The value of every person is the extent of his understanding".[^20] On another occasion Imam Sadeq has this to say on the importance of understanding hadith : 'One hadith that you understand is worth a thousand that you merely relate'. that you understand is worth a thousand that you merely relate'.

Narating a hadith may be useful.[^21] and instructive for those to whom it is related, but for the narrator a hadith is only useful if he understands it, otherwise as Imam Baqer says. he derives little advantage from his knowledge. In fact. sometimes it may even be harmful both for the narrator and his audience alike, since when the narrator is not knowledgeable about hadith more often this may cause hadith to be distorted. to be distorted.

This is the reason for the commander of the Faithful words: 'Understanding of hadith is incumbent upon you, not narrating them'.[^22] And on another occasion Imam Ali is quoted as saying: ‘The ignorant devoute their efforts to narrating traditions.

but the wise to understanding them.’[^23] In these hadith and other similar ones.[^24] There are two points to be noted: The first is that Islam attaches the utmost importance to research and understanding of the truth and the avoidance of Taqlid in ideological matters. in ideological matters. It is a religion that stresses the need for a full understanding of its precepts, and not its ill-understood and unconsidered transmission.

In other words faith must be based on knowledge and understanding not blind devoutness.It is a religion that stresses the need for a full understanding of its precepts, and not its ill-understood and unconsidered transmission. In other words faith must be based on knowledge and understanding not blind devoutness.