Seeking knowledge

Why should we?

Assalamu alaikum, and welcome back to Islamic Insight. Seeking knowledge as a Muslim is fundamental, so let's go ahead and see why.

Bismillah.

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Seeking knowledge branches into two, Deen and Dunya. Learning beneficial worldly sciences and other topics isn't obligatory on every Muslim (فرض كفاية). However islamic knowledge can be (فرض كفاية) if there's enough people doing it, therefore becoming Sunnah for the rest. It's also obligatory if it's necessary to perform religious acts such as Salah (فرض عين).

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who does something contrary to our way (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected."

But what's the goal of seeking islamic knowledge?

'Ibada

Surah Al Zumar: “Is he who worships devoutly during the watches of the night, prostrating himself and standing up, mindful of the Hereafter, and placing his hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, “Are those who know and those who do not know equal?”

Allah connected knowledge with worship, making the fruit of knowledge none other than worship. Those who don't worship = those who don't know.

Fearing allah

The more knowledgeable you become, the more aware you are of Allah. In Al Fatir Allah says:

“Of all of Allah’s servants, only the knowledgeable ˹of His might˺ are ˹truly˺ in awe of Him.”

Acting upon it

It's believed that Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal memorised a million hadiths. He stated that he didn't write down a hadith, except that he acted upon it. Subhanallah!

Humility

Once, a man travelled a long distance to ask Imam Malik 40 questions. Out of all 40, he answered, “I don't know". This demonstrates how knowledge should humble you more than anything! It most definitely shouldn't be used to show off, as an incredibly scary hadith teaches us that one of the first people to enter Jahannam will be a scholar.

Next a man who has acquired and taught knowledge and read the Qur’an will be brought forward, and after God has reminded him of the favour He showed him and the man acknowledges it, He will ask, ‘What did you do to show gratitude for it?’ The man will reply, ‘I acquired and taught knowledge and read the Qur’an for Thy sake.’ God will say, 'You lie. You acquired knowledge that people might call you learned, and you read the Qur’an that they might call you a reader, and they have done so.’ Command will then be issued about him, and he will be dragged on his face and thrown into hell…

Ok so I how can I gain more knowledge?

Knowledge is light, dimmed by the darkness of sins, so be careful!

Famous words from Imam Al Shafi':

The prophet ﷺ  used to say, "O Allah, I ask You for knowledge that is beneficial". Allah commanded our beloved prophet ﷺ : “And pray, “My Lord! Increase me in knowledge.”

But why should I go out of my way to seek knowledge?

This absolutely incredible hadith should be enough motivation:

Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion."

Allahu Akbar! May Allah make us from the heirs of the prophets.

Also did you know that seeking islamic knowledge is part of jihad for the sake of Allah? Ibn Othaymeen said that it's equivalent to jihad for the sake of Allah using Al Tawba/122 as evidence. Incredible amounts of reward!

Did you know that Allah mentions those who mention him?

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Any group of people that assemble in one of the Houses of Allah to recite the Book of Allah, learning and teaching it, tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will engulf them, angels will surround them and Allah will make mention of them to those (the angels) in His proximity.”

And with knowledge comes an increase in ranks, both in this world and the hereafter, as Allah mentions in Al mujadila: “Allah will elevate those of you who are faithful, and ˹raise˺ those gifted with knowledge in rank.”

Benefiting people with your knowledge will reward you even in your grave!

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end, except for three: A continuous charity, knowledge by which people derive benefit, pious son who prays for him."

Honour tails knowledge. Allah recognises those with knowledge as witnesses, mentioning them with the angels!

Allah ˹Himself˺ is a Witness that there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Him—and so are the angels and people of knowledge.

After knowing all of this, how could we not seek knowledge? However knowledge should be obtained via correct sources, and programs especially in this day and age.

Seeking knowledge needs dedication!

Imam Malik said: “Knowledge doesn't come but you have to go to it.”

It was mentioned that Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal famously declared: “With the inkwell [I stay] till I go to the grave.”

And Allah knows best.

Make use of your time.

It was said mentioned Al-Hassan Al-Basri - may God have mercy on him - said: “There is not a day when its dawn breaks but it is called out: O son of Adam, I am a new creation, and on your work a witness, so take provisions from me, because if I go, I will not return … until the Day of Resurrection.”