Al Wasillah (In The Footsteps Of The Prophet PBUH)

Virtue Of Knowledge

"Oh Abu Dharr! The Virtue of knowledge is greater than that of worship. And know you that if you prayed until your back becomes bent and you fasted until you became thin as strings that would not benefit you unless it is done with piety."

We often see Islam as a list of rituals, and class the most devout in worship as the most pious, whereas this narration suggests otherwise. In another similar narration, the Prophet says:

"Oh Abu Dharr! Two moderate cycles of prayer (rak'at) with pondering is better than standing all night in prayer with a neglectful heart"

Importance Of Seeking Knowledge 

No other religion or institution gives as much importance to knowledge as the religion of Islam. The religion has made seeking knowledge a necessary duty upon all Muslims and has deemed that not doing so as a sin. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said in an authentic narration (hadeeth): "Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Al-Tirmidhi) This obligation is not limited to a certain sex or class, but rather it is as much as an obligation upon women as it is for men, the young and the old, and the poor and the rich. Allah has raised the ranks and status of those who have knowledge, and has praised them in many places in the Quran. Allah says: Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.

There is a great difference between a Muslim who has knowledge and one who does not. The Prophet described this in his saying:

"The excellence of a scholar over another (ordinary) worshiper is like the excellence of the full moon over the rest of the heavenly bodies." (Abu Dawood)

Knowledge is more important than wealth and property. No wonder, knowledge is among the important things which Allah (SWT) directed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to pray that he will be granted more of it. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Qur'an: "And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge." (Qur'an 20:114) 

However having knowledge should not be a reason for being arrogant. In fact, having more knowledge about ourselves and the world should make us feel more humble before the greatness of the creation of Allah (SWT). "It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah." (Qur'an 35:28)  

We ask Allah (SWT) all the time for Paradise. Seeking knowledge is one of the things that will surely lead us to Paradise. The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever follows a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah makes his way easy to paradise." (Bukhari)  

What Should I Learn?

So the question arises, if it is an obligation to seek knowledge of the religion, and the fields of knowledge within the religion are so vast, what type of knowledge is obligatory to seek? Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal, a great scholar of Islam, answered that it is obligatory for every Muslim individual to seek that type of knowledge which will allow him to practice his religion properly. The following are examples:

1) Islamic beliefs. 

This is by far the most important aspect of the religion a person must learn, for through this aspect a person actually becomes Muslim. The first thirteen years of the Prophet Muhammad's call was devoted to correcting people's beliefs about Allah, emphasizing that no worship was to be directed to any but Him Alone, while only a few of the other commandments were revealed at that time.

2) The knowledge of the obligatory aspects of worship. 

As we know, Allah has commanded Muslims to perform certain acts of worship. Many of these acts are obligatory and, in turn, one must know how to perform them. For example, Allah has obligated upon us to pray a minimum of five times per day, so it becomes obligatory upon us to know how to pray properly, bearing in mind what is permissible and impermissible for us to do during the Prayer. Also, as one of the conditions of the Prayer is to purify oneself, a person must know how to do so. This also holds true for the rest of the commandments of Allah.  

3) Knowing what is permissible and impermissible in daily life. 

 By the Mercy of Allah, He has encouraged us to enjoy a countless number of bounties which He created. At the same time, He has also warned us from certain things due to the physical or spiritual harm resulting from their indulgence. It then becomes obligatory for us to learn these aspects of the religion so that we may not intentionally commit or accidentally fall into these impermissible acts.

4) A person must also learn how to purify their hearts and deeds from blameworthy traits.

Muslims must know how to purify their hearts from the love of wealth, status, and fame, and how to love  Allah in the best manner.

Patience In Path To Paradise   

The great scholar az-Zuhri said, "Whoever seeks knowledge in one go, it will leave him at one go. Rather, knowledge is only sought through the passing of nights and days." 

One should make a firm intention, and have patience throughout their search. Some aspects may be easy, but some might be harder to achieve. Bear in mind that when one tries to learn while it is hard for him, they will receive a double reward from Allah due to the effort they spent in seeking it, and Allah's bounty is indeed limitless. The Prophet said:"Whoever reads the Quran and stutters while reading, due to its difficulty, will receive a double reward." (Saheeh Muslim)

"Whoever treads a path in seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to Paradise." (Al-Tirmidthi)

Keenly Seek Knowledge

The Prophet, may Allah praise him, said:

"When Allah wishes good for a person, He makes him understand the religion." (al-Bukhari)

The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, were very keen on gaining knowledge. Look at how keen Abdullah ibn Abbas, the cousin of the Prophet, was to seek knowledge. He devoted himself to acquiring knowledge in a wide variety of fields. He had a special admiration for persons like Zaid ibn Thabit, who was one of the scribes of the Quran, the leading judge and jurist in Medina, and an expert in the laws of inheritance and in reading the Quran. Once when Zaid intended to travel, the young Abdullah stood humbly at his side, and taking hold of the reins of his mount he adopted the attitude of a humble servant in the presence of his master. Zaid said to him: "Don't do this, O cousin of the Prophet!"

"This is how we were commanded to treat the learned ones among us," Abdullah replied.

Zaid said in return, "Let me see your hand."

Abdullah stretched out his hand. Zaid, taking it, kissed it and said: "This is how we were commanded to treat the members of the household of the Prophet."

Fruits Of Knowledge

To conclude, seeking knowledge is an act of worship that requires you to keep your intention sincerely for Allah alone and none else, seeking His Pleasure and reward. Do not seek knowledge to show off or compete with others, or to enliven one's gatherings. The Prophet said:"Whoever seeks that knowledge which is (usually) sought to seek the pleasure of Allah in order to gain some worldly benefit, he will not sense the scent of Paradise on the Day of Judgment." (Ibn Maajah)

Also know that knowledge is of no importance if one does not reap its fruits, which is to practice the religion of Islam as Allah loves. So one should try to practice what one learns as living Islam is what takes a person to Paradise.

We close with some supplications which the Prophet Muhammad himself made in regards to seeking knowledge.

"O Allah! Bring us benefit by what You taught us, and teach us that which brings us benefit, and increase us in knowledge" (Ibn Maajah)

"O Allah, I ask you to grant us beneficial knowledge, good, pure and permissible sustenance, and deeds which are accepted by You." (Ibn Maajah)

"O Allah I seek refuge in you from knowledge which does not benefit, a heart which does not humble itself in fear, an insatiable desire, and supplications which are unanswered." (Muslim)