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.
This post has been reported. It could be due to breaking rules or something as simple as bad use of bbcodes which breaks the page format. We will attend to this soon.
"From the ways to achieve happiness is knowledge, as it brings happiness to the heart and expands it until it is vaster than the world itself. Ignorance, on the other hand, brings anxiety, constriction and confinement. The greater the servant's knowledge the happier and more vast his heart will be.
However, this is not true for all types of knowledge. This is particular to the knowledge inherited from the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. And this is beneficial knowledge.
Those who possess this knowledge are the happiest of the people, they possess the most joyous hearts, they have the best of character and they have the most pleasant lives."
Memorisation of texts is a critical part of studying the various subjects of Islaam. By memorising a text, the information is always at hand, which greatly helps out in matters of worship. If one is merely studying to pass a class, then the information may be 'crammed' before the test and then forgotten fully or partially once the grade or diploma is given. When it comes to the deen, one needs to have that knowledge at hand so as to properly implement the rules at their respective place. 'Umar رضي الله عنه said, "What is better than remembering Allaah سبحانه وتعالى with your tongue is to remember Him at His commands and prohibitions." [1]
One of the greatest tools for attaining this implementation of the deen at all times is to have the orders and prohibitions memorised. This gives a person constant access to the legal rulings of the Sharee'ah. One never knows when they will be faced with a situation where they need to know the ruling and may not have immediate access to a text or a teacher to ask. Imaam Shaafi'ee رحمه الله said: "My knowledge is with me wherever I go and it benefits me. My heart, not a trunk at home, is a container for it." [2] [3]
Notes:
[1] al-Fawaakih ad-Dawaani, 2:329
[2] Diwaan Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee, 305
[3] Shaykh Muhammad Mawlood رحمه الله: The Rights of Parents. Translation and commentary by Shaykh Rami Nsour al-Idreesi
There is no concept of remaining stagnant in deen. We are either rising or falling, progressing or deteriorating, but we never remain at a constant level of spirituality and devotion. In order to remain afloat in water, we have to do something proactive or else we will sink. Similarly, the greatest benefit of attending gatherings of learning is that they provide the environment, link and connection with the ulama in order to check any decline. We may not necessarily learn something new all of the time, but such gatherings keep us afloat in our religion.
[This excerpt is based on a majlis (gathering for spiritual training) held by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on 30th May 2006]
Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
"When a person has knowledge and insight into that which he is calling to, then there is no difference between the one who has a great amount of knowledge, or a student of knowledge who has recently started in pursuit of knowledge or a lay person – as long as he has certain knowledge of the issue at hand.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Convey from me, even if it is one verse." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree]
So it is not a condition upon the daee (the one calling) to attain a great amount of knowledge, but the condition is that one must have knowledge of what one is calling to. If this calling is established upon ignorance and built upon emotion and passion, then it is NOT permissible.
Thus, we see that some of the brothers who call to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى, they do not have except a little knowledge. We see them, due to their strong emotions, prohibiting that which Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has not prohibited, whilst making obligatory that which Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has not made obligatory upon His worshippers. This is a very DANGEROUS matter, since permitting what Allaah has made Haraam (unlawful) is like prohibiting what Allaah has made Halaal (lawful). So when they begin prohibiting people for making a particular matter then others will rebuke them for making it Haraam.
Allaah تعالى says: "And do not say, concerning that which your tongues falsely put forward, ‘This is lawful and this is forbidden,’ so as to invent lies against Allaah. Indeed, those who invent lies against Allaah will never prosper." [Surah al-Nahl (16):116-117]
As for the lay person, then he must not call to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى if he does not have knowledge. Rather, it is essential to have knowledge in accordance with the saying of Allaah سبحانه و تعالى: "Say: This is my path. I call to Allaah upon sure knowledge." [Surah Yoosuf (12):108]
So it is a must to call to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى upon knowledge. However, if a matter is clearly known to be evil or good, then one can command it – if it is good, or forbid it – if it is evil.
So the callers to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى must start with knowledge. Whosoever calls to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى without knowledge, then such a person will cause greater harm than good – as is evident. So it is obligatory for a person to first acquire knowledge, then to do Da`wah. As for the clear evils and that which is clearly good, then the good is enjoined and the evil prohibited."
[As-Sahwatul-Islaamiyyah (pp.59-60) of Shaykh lbn al-`Uthaymeen]
"It is narrated that Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه walked in the market of Madeenah. He stood and shouted, 'O people of the market! How slack you are!'
The people asked, 'O Abu Hurayrah! Why do you say that?'
He replied, 'The inheritance of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم is distributed whilst you are still here and not collecting your share from it!'
The people asked, 'Where is it distributed?'
He replied, 'It is now being distributed in the Masjid.'
Thereupon the people rushed to the Masjid and Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه waited in the market until their return. When they returned, he asked them about what happened so they said, 'We went there but we saw nothing being distributed.'
He said, 'Have you not seen anyone in the Masjid?'
They said, 'Yes, we did! We saw some people praying, and some people reciting the Qur'aan, and some people studying that which is lawful and that which is forbidden.'
He said, 'Woe to you! That is the inheritance of Muhammad (may Allaah exalt his mention and grant him peace).'"
[al-Mu'jam al-Kabeer, as quoted in A Commentary on the Depiction of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, p. 467]
Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed al-Khudree رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "...The believer is never satiated with khayr until Paradise becomes his abode." [1]
Shaykhul-Hadeeth Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله said, "The author of Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh narrates this under the virtues of knowledge, and the author of Mirqaat al-Mafaateeh and others have interpreted khayr (good/acts of righteousness) to mean knowledge, despite the word khayr holding a broader meaning which encompasses every good deed.
The meaning is clear. A true believer is never content with his good deeds. He always strives to perform righteous acts by employing every method possible. According to this humble servant, it is better to interpret khayr in its wider context, as it includes knowledge and other good deeds. However, the author of Mazaahir-i-Haqq in conformance with the author of Mirqaat al-Mafaateeh has taken khayr to mean knowledge. Thus he writes, 'A believer is never satiated with khayr i.e. knowledge. In other words, he remains in search of knowledge until he dies and eventually enters Paradise as a result. This hadeeth contains glad tidings for the one who seeks knowledge that he shall depart this world with faith, if Allaah the Most High wills. In trying to secure this virtue, some of the friends of Allaah continued seeking knowledge until the end of their lives, despite having already acquired a substantial amount of knowledge. Moreover, the field of knowledge is extensive. One may be engaged in teaching or writing but in reality, one will be earning the reward of seeking knowledge.'" [2]
Notes:
[1] Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan
[2] Virtues of Invoking Blessings & Peace on the Noble Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), pp. 39-40.
"There is no path to happiness and success in this world or the Hereafter except at the hands of the Messengers عليهم الصلاة والسلام. And there is no way to determine the good from the bad except through their teachings. Allaah's pleasure is never gained except through their examples. Good actions, sayings and manners are only attained through the guidance they brought.
The Prophets عليهم الصلاة والسلام are the scale by which our actions, sayings and manners must be weighed. And their example is the criterion between the people of guidance of those of misguidance.
We are in need of following their example more than a body needs its soul, and more than an eye needs light to be able to see. In fact, every decreed obligation is surpassed by the obligation of following the example of the Prophets عليهم الصلاة والسلام. If we neglect doing so for the blink of an eye, then our hearts will become corrupt, like a fish when it is taken out of water.
Since happiness in this life and the Hereafter is linked with following the example of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, a wise person who is seeking happiness and salvation must gain enough knowledge regarding his guidance and biography. This way he becomes a true follower and joins the party of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.
In this regard, there are those who gain a lot of knowledge, those who gain only a little of it and others who are deprived of it. Allaah سبحانه و تعالى grants goodness to whomever He wishes. Indeed, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى grants great bounties."
"Knowledge is not achieved merely through extensive reading or by accumulating books. It is gained by studying with the people of knowledge, such that it is acquired from the scholars. Knowledge is achieved, thus, by the scholars passing it on and is not just by collecting books as some people think today.
Some people today collect books, reading from the books of hadeeth, jarh and ta'deel, tafseer and the likes thereof. They claim that, with that, they have gained knowledge. However, this type of knowledge is not built upon a foundation, nor is it built upon principles, because it is not gained from the people of knowledge. It is a must, therefore, to sit in the circles of remembrance, with the teachers and scholars.
It is a must that one is patient upon seeking knowledge. And whoever does not taste the humility of learning for an hour is trialed with ignorance all his life."
The acquisition of true knowledge normally leads to humility when approached in a sincere manner. One who acquires true knowledge realises how little they know. However, when it is approached in a materialistically restricted manner, it causes people to become proud. This flawed approach to seeking knowledge is not something new, and has precedents from others who have lived in former ages:
"Then when their Messengers came to them with clear proofs, they were glad (and proud) with that which they had of the knowledge (of worldly things): And that at which they used to mock, surrounded them (i.e. the punishment)." (Soorah Ghaafir, 40:83)
"He (Qaaroon) said: "This has been given to me only because of knowledge I possess." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected.But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked." (Sooratul-Qasas, 28:78)
Imaam as-Sa'dee رحمه الله said: "Whatever mankind have in the way of knowledge and capability is due to Allaah سبحانه و تعالى having given them this knowledge and capability. It should also be considered that Allaah سبحانه و تعالى appointed a limit to mankind's knowledge and capability which cannot be extended... Just as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى is the One who created them when they were not even a thing mentioned, He is also the One who made them come out from their mothers' wombs knowing nothing, and created for them the ability to hear, see and understand, and the means to acquire knowledge." [al-Adillatul-Qawaati' wal-Baraaheen fee Ibtaal Usool-il-Mulhideen]
Every single piece of information that any human being has ever perceived came from an All-Knowing Creator سبحانه و تعالى:
" They (angels) said: 'Glory be unto You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Verily, You are the All-Knower, the All-Wise.'" (Sooratul-Baqarah, 2:32)
Ask yourself about how much you share from the signs of beneficial knowledge, which are as follows:
(1) Implementing it.
(2) Hatred of being praised, complemented, or displaying haughtiness over others.
(3) Increasing your modesty with the increase of your knowledge.
(4) Fleeing from the love of leadership, fame, and worldly pleasures.
(5) Abandoning the claim to have knowledge.
(6) Having bad suspicions about oneself, and good suspicions about other people, so as to steer clear from disparaging them.
'Abdullaah Ibn al-Mubaarak رحمه الله used to say if the manners of the Salaf were mentioned: "Do not compare us to them. For the sound person who walks, is not the same as the crippled one."
[Shaykh Bakr Abu Zayd رحمه الله, The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge, p. 79]
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
