Abu Taalib Deobandi, abu mohammed, sweetmuslimahk1, Taqwah, Naqshband66, mujaddid313, Acacia, Taalibah, AishaZaynap, Maria al-Qibtiyya, the fake shaykh, queenie, Jinn, Abdullah1 1 guest appreciates this topic.
Sayyiduna Mu'adh Ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه On Knowledge
Excerpted from works by Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله and Abu Nu`aim رحمه الله
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said about Mu`aadh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه: "Verily, when the people of knowledge will be present before their Lord, the Mighty and Sublime, Mu`aadh will be one step ahead of them." [Saheeh, Ibn Sa`d, Aboo Nu`aim, at-Tabaraanee]
He, صلى الله عليه وسلم, also said about Mu`aadh رضي الله عنه: "...the most knowledgeable of them [my Ummah] about the lawful and the prohibited is Mu`aadh bin Jabal..." [At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Hibbaan, ibn Maajah, al-Baihaqee, al-Haakim, who declared it Saheeh, and adh-Dhahabee and al-Albaanee agreed with him.]
Ibn Taymeeyah writes in al-Wasiyyah: "Part of Mu`aadh's رضي الله عنه excellence further is that the Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم, sent him to the people of Yemen as a preacher on his behalf, a caller, a teacher of understanding in the Deen, a giver of religious verdicts, and a judge."
This is Mu`aadh, رضي الله عنه, to whom the Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم, also said: "O Mu`aadh! By Allaah, truly I love you." [Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, ibn Hibbaa, Aboo Nu`aim, Ibn Khuzaimah and al-Haakim, who declared its isnaad to be saheeh, and adh-Dhaabee agreed]
Aboo Nu`aim رحمه الله reports some sayings of Mu`aadh رضي الله عنه himself about the excellence of knowledge, among which we find the following:
"Knowledge is a comforting friend in times of loneliness, it is the best companion during travels, and it is the inner friend who speaks to you in your privacy. Knowledge is the discerning proof of what is right and what is wrong, and it is the positive force that will help you surmount the trials of comfort, as well as those of hardships. Knowledge is your most powerful sword against your enemy, and finally, it is your most dignifying raiment in the company of your close companions."
"Through knowledge, Allah, blessed be His Name, raises some people in rank, and He makes them leaders in righteousness and models in morality. The vestige of their faith is avidly sought, their deeds are emulated perceptively, and people will seek and sanction their opinions solicitously and unequivocally. The heavenly angels seek their company and anoint them with their wings, every fresh or withered life they pass by implore Almighty Allah to forgive them their sins, even the fish in the oceans, the beasts of the lands and every bird of prey and migratory bird pray and solicit the mercy of Almighty Allah on their behalf. This is because knowledge revives the dead hearts and drives them out of darkness into light, and because knowledge is the light of the inner eyes that cures one's blindness and restores his inner sight."
Imam Al-Ḥasan ibn ʻAlī al-Barbahārī رحمه الله said,
"You should know - may Allaah have mercy upon you - that knowledge is not by lots of narrations and books..." [1]
Shaykh Salih Ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan حفظه الله comments,
"Knowledge is not abundance of information, acquaintance and books. Rather, knowledge is only through understanding, following and acting; even if the knowledge is little. Therefore, little knowledge with righteous deeds and understanding in Allaah's religion is abundance, while ample knowledge without action and following (the Sunnah) is of no benefit.
There were scholars and monks among the Jews, but in spite of this, their knowledge was of no benefit and they became those who earned Allaah's anger because they purposely disobeyed. So the goal is not just abundance of knowledge and research. The goal is action. This is the meaning of true knowledge, and this is the way of those on whom Allaah has bestowed His Grace, as stated by Allaah the Most High:
"Guide us to the Straight Way - The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace..." (1:6-7)
They are the people of knowledge and action.
"...not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews)." (1:7)
They are the people of knowledge without action.
"...nor of those who went astray (such as the Christians)." (1:7)
They are the people of action, without knowledge.
So knowledge is not beneficial without action, and action does not benefit except with knowledge. It is essential for knowledge and action to co-exist, and this is the way of those on whom Allaah has bestowed His Grace." [2]
Imam Al-Ḥasan ibn ʻAlī al-Barbahārī رحمه الله said,
"The scholar is one who acts upon knowledge and the Sunan, even if he has little knowledge and few books." [1]
Shaykh Salih Ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan حفظه الله comments,
"A scholar is he who follows the Book and the Sunan even if he has little knowledge, contrary to the one who has acquired a lot of knowledge or possesses lots of various books but does not act. There is no benefit in such a person. Knowledge only grows and gets purified and nurtured with righteous action. As for knowledge without action, it is devoid of blessing and will not be well-established.
Scholars are of two types:
Firstly: scholars on the tongue alone.
Secondly: scholars on the tongue and heart; and they are those who fear Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. Allaah, the Most High, says:
"And of men and ad-Dawaab (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and cattle, in like manner of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving." (Soorah Faatir, 35:28)
Therefore, knowledge and the fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى form the sound knowledge. As for the knowledge of the tongue without the fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, such is the knowledge of the hypocrites. We ask Allaah سبحانه و تعالى for well-being." [2]
Imam Al-Ḥasan ibn ʻAlī al-Barbahārī رحمه الله said,
"And whoever opposes the Qur'an and Sunnah is a follower of innovation, even if he has much knowledge and many books." [1]
Shaykh Salih Ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan حفظه الله comments,
"As long as he is an innovator, his knowledge will not benefit him even if he is well versed in knowledge. If he does not follow the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, but only acts on the sayings of so-and-so, his knowledge is bereft of benefit, and his books should not be beneffited from. Allaah, the Most High, says regarding the Jews:
"The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurat (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its legal laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example (or the likeness) of people who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah. And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers, etc.)." (Soorah al-Jumu'aj, 62:5)
Therefore, the person who possesses a huge library but abandons action, or an innovator, such is like a donkey carrying books without benefitting from them! [2]
"A person with knowledge will not cease to be ignorant of what he knows until he acts upon it. So when he acts upon it, then he becomes a person with knowledge."
"Knowledge and action [based upon that knowledge] are twins whose mother is high aspirations. O youth! The essence of your soul lies in seeking knowledge, and the adornment of your soul is acting upon what you have learnt."
"Whoever does not act upon his knowledge will never recognise the value of what he possesses; he will be like a person carrying musk perfume but is unable to smell it because he has the flu."
"O you who is parched with the thirst of desires in the desert of youth, change your course to the road of knowledge, for through knowledge you will come across many a water fountain that shall help you in your journey through the desert."
"Actions are only according to intentions, and a person receives only what he has intended." [1]
This Hadeeth Points out the Importance of Knowledge Before Acting
This hadeeth clearly demonstrates that a Muslim must have knowledge before acting. A person must have the intention to do an act which is proper or, at least, permissible. However, he cannot have such an intention unless he first knows that the act is proper or permissible. If a person does an act without knowing the ruling of that act, then he cannot claim that his intention was pure. His intention is characterised by his understanding of that act and whether or not that act is permissible. If he did not care whether the act is permissible or not, then he did the act with a careless intention. That is, his intention was that he did not care if the act was permissible or not.
Allaah سبحانه و تعالى states in the Qur'aan,
"Say (O Muhammad, peace be upon him): 'I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God i.e. Allaah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.'" (Soorah al-Kahf, 18:110)
Commenting on this verse, Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله wrote,
"This is in reference to the only type of deed that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى will accept. The deed must be in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and done solely for the Countenance of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى. A doer cannot possibly fulfill both of these conditions unless he has knowledge. If he does not know what has been narrated from the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, then he cannot intend that. If he is not knowledgeable of whom he worships, he cannot intend Him alone in his deeds. If it were not for knowledge, his deed could not be acceptable. It is knowledge that guides to sincerity and purity and it is knowledge that indicates what is the actual following of the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him)." [2] [3]
Notes:
[1] Saheeh al-Bukhari
[2] Quoted from Ali as-Saalihi, al-Dhau al-Muneer ala at-Tafseer, (Riyadh: Muassasat an-Noor, n.d.), vol. 4, p. 173
[3] Shaykh Jamaaluddeen Zarabozo, Commentary on the Forty Hadeeth of Imaam an-Nawawi رحمه الله, volume 1, pp. 129-130
"Whosoever introduces into this affair of ours (i.e. into Islam) something that does not belong to it, it is to be rejected." [1]
This hadeeth demonstrates the importance of knowledge. As-Sindi states that distinguishing innovations from what is permissible and the Sunnah is very important and sometimes difficult. It requires good knowledge of the Qur'an, Sunnah, consensus and what they point to. He states that many innovations, due to ignorance, are taken as Sunnah and many Sunnah acts are considered innovations. [2]
The only way this can be rectified is through knowledge and study of the Qur'an and Sunnah. [3]
Notes:
[1] al-Bukhari and Muslim
[2] As-Sindi, Sharh, p. 43
[3] Shaykh Jamaaluddeen Zarabozo, Commentary on the Forty Hadeeth of Imam An-Nawawi رحمه الله, vol. 1, p. 373
Which is Better: Seeking Knowledge or Calling to Allaah?
Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan said, "One should firstly gain knowledge, because it is not possible to call to Allaah without knowledge. If an individual does not have knowledge he would not be able to call to Allaah, and if he were to give da'wah, indeed his errors would be greater in number than his correct stances. So it is a condition to have knowledge before embarking on da'wah:
"Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): 'This is my way; I invite unto Allaah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allaah - Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me. And Glorified and Exalted be Allaah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikeen (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allaah; those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allaah).'" [1]
There are some well-known affairs that even a common person has the ability to call to, such as establishing the prayer, the prohibition of abandoning it in congregation, establishing it in ones' household and ordering the children to establish it. These affairs are well known; both a common person and a student of knowledge know about them. As for the affairs that require understanding and knowledge, affairs that are associated with permissible and impermissible issues, affairs of tawheed and shirk, these affairs must be based on knowledge." [2]
Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azeez Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said, "It is essential for the person who calls people to Allaah, and enjoins what is good and forbids what is evil to have knowledge. The one who wants to set himself up as a caller must pay attention to this matter, so that he will have proper insight into the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him), so that he will put things in their right places: he will call people to good when it is appropriate, and enjoin what is good when it is appropriate, with insight and knowledge, so that he will not denounce evil in a way that is more evil than it, and so that he will not enjoin what is good in a manner that will result in an evil worse than not doing the good thing to which he is calling people. The point is that it is essential for him to have knowledge so that he will do things properly." [3]
The concept and importance of Taqwa demonstrates the importance of knowledge. The foundation of taqwa is to have knowledge of what one must guard against and how to guard against it. To have fear of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى requires knowledge of Him - as He is described in the Qur'an and Sunnah. The more that one has such knowledge, the more he may fear Allaah سبحانه و تعالى and have true Taqwa. [3] Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Qur'an:
"And of men and ad-Dawaab (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and cattle, in like manner of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving." (Soorah Faatir, 35:28)
Notes:
[1] Taqwa emanates from the root waqaaya, which means, "he protected," or "to protect." When the word Taqwa is used with respect to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, as in this hadeeth, it means that one must fear or protect himself from Allaah's anger and punishment. In the supplement to Lane's Lexicon, it defines اتّقى in the following manner,
"He preserved, or guarded, himself exceedingly, or extraordinarily; he put a thing between him and another to preserve him, or guard him. In the conventional language of the law, he preserved, or guarded, himself exceedingly, or extraordinarily, from sin, of commission or of omission.... It may often be rendered, he was pious, or careful of his religious duties." (Lane, vol. 2, p. 3059)
The essence, therefore, of Taqwa is to put some kind of barrier or guard between oneself and what one fears, in order to protect oneself from what is feared.
[2] Recorded by at-Tirmidhi who said it is a hasan hadeeth
[3] Shaykh Jamaaluddeen Zarabozo, Commentary on the Forty Hadeeth of Imam An-Nawawi رحمه الله, vol. 1, p. 574; 577; 598
Shyness should not prevent one from attaining knowledge.
It is reported that Sayyiduna 'Ali رضي الله عنه said, "The one who does not have knowledge should not be too shy to ask until he gets knowledge. And the one who is asked about something that he does not know should not be so shy that it keeps him from saying, 'I don't know.'" [1]
Mujaahid رحمه الله said, "The one who is shy and the one who is arrogant do not attain knowledge." [2]
Ummul Mu'mineen 'Aa'isha رضي الله عنها once stated the virtues of the women of the Ansaar رضى الله عنهنّ, "Shyness does not keep them from getting an understanding of the religion." [3]
A clear example of this nature concerning women can be seen in the following hadeeth from Saheeh al-Bukhari,
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها came to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, Allaah does not shy away from the truth. Does a woman have to make ghusl if she has a wet dream?" The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stated, "Yes, if she sees liquid." Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها then covered her face [out of shyness] and said, "O Messenger of Allaah, do women have wet dreams?" He صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Yes, may your hands be covered in dust, how else does her child resemble her?" [4]
Notes:
[1] Quoted in al-Muqaddam, p. 40
[2] al-Bukhari recorded it Mu'allaq
[3] Saheeh al-Bukhari
[4] Shaykh Jamaaluddeen Zarabozo, Commentary on the Forty Hadeeth of Imam An-Nawawi رحمه الله, vol. 1, pp. 675-676
You are here: Forum Index » Literature » VirtuesVirtues of Knowledge which is Learnt and Taught for the sake of Allah
###
Award Rep
Award reps to ... for this post
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
We apologise but you have been denied access to report posts in this thread. This could be due to excessively reporting posts and not understanding our forum rules. For assistance or information, please use the forum help thread to request more information. Jazakallah
