What is the difference between intelligence and shrewdness?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Intelligence is the sharpness of the heart and the breadth of understanding, while cunning is profound thought and soundness of opinion, and a cunning person is one who is insightful in matters and stratagems. The difference between them is that intelligence is less than cunning. So, every cunning person is intelligent, but not every intelligent person is cunning. Cunning is more comprehensive because it encompasses intelligence and more. Among those renowned for their cunning was Amr ibn al-As, may Allah be pleased with him.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/67124
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 67124
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- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy