Knowledge

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Knowledge

Knowledge is one of the noblest thing one can ask for. When the ʿUlamāʾ speak about the term ' knowledge ' they mean the authentic ʾIslāmic knowledge which is the knowledge of the Book of Allāh, authentic sunnah of His Messenger ﷺ and all that assists in understanding these.

This is the true and beneficial knowledge. The merits and virtues of knowledge varies depending on one's adherence to it. The greatest and most excellent of knowledge is knowledge pertaining to Allāh, His Names and Attributes known as ʿaqīdah and following this is that which is about His Rights over the creations, what He, the Most High Has Prescribed upon us.

People of knowledge has been honoured and their status have been raised high by Allāh, the Most High. In fact He Made them to bear witness of His Oneness and Uniqueness with sincere devotion.

شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِٱلْقِسْطِۚ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ 

Allâh bears witness that Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in Justice. Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

[Aal-e-Imran 3:18]

This is a sufficient proof of their high status and Allāh Has Explained that no one is equal to those who possess knowledge as in sūrah 39 ʾĀyah 9:

 قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ 

Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allâh’s Signs and Verses).

(Az-Zumar 39:9)

أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰٓۚ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ 

Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed unto you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) from your Lord is the truth be like him who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed.

[Ar-Ra'd 13:19]

  يَرْفَعِ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ دَرَجَٰتٍۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ 

Allâh will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allâh is Well-Acquainted with what you do.

[Al-Mujadila 58:11]

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱلدَّوَآبِّ وَٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَٰٓؤُا۟ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ 

And likewise of men and Ad-Dawâbb [moving (living) creatures, beasts], and cattle, are of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving.

(Fatir 35:28)

Why One Should Seek Knowledge?

Scholars of Islām mentioned that knowledge should be sought for right reasons and its implementation not for the sake of fame or showing off or any worldly gains. Rather the Muslim learns to be acquainted with his deen and to have insight into what Allāh Has made incumbent upon him or her and to strive to take people from darkness to light. These people can be first of all the person himself and those who are close to him, then the people from his neighbours or close environment, then the people of society.

So one seeks knowledge to act upon it, better himself, benefit and teach people the good as a Muslim is ordered to do as mentioned by Shaykh ibn Baaz a proper student of knowledge is concerned with all these things that leads to the beneficial knowledge, he seeks knowledge desiring the Face of his Rabb, seeking His Pleasure and a home in paradise, to understand and reflect upon his deen and know what Allāh Has Made incumbent upon him and what He Has prohibited from and act accordingly, he wants to know his Rabb with insight and rescue people from the fire, wants to be amongst the guided callers to the truth and to Allāh and true knowledge.

So whenever done with correct intention even his sleep will be a path to paradise and a worship if he sleeps to strengthen himself for acquiring knowledge and memorizing books comparing to the one who has an evil intention because such person is in great danger. Hence we need to constantly remind ourselves to be sincere because from the first who will be thrown into fire will be from those who acquired the knowledge and recite the Qur'ān for others beside Allāh and seeking people's praise as in ḥadīth reported by Muslim and others.

The knowledge is gained by studying then implementing it for Allāh's sake. The most important thing is to implement this knowledge and convey it so that he becomes the successor of the Prophets as per ḥadīth.

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