SEEKING KNOWLEDGE

ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ

I hope everyone is well inshallah. This week I wanted the Eeman Booster to focus on the topic of ‘Seeking Knowledge In Islam’. Let’s begin by focusing on some Ahadith:

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ

Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.

Therefore it’s important a Muslim aims to seek knowledge regardless of if they are male or female. There are many Hadith on the benefit of one’s efforts in their quest to seek knowledge.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلاَّ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ

Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of Allah, reciting the book of Allah and studying it together, but that tranquillity will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near him.

Abu Darda reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

وَإِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَتَضَعُ أَجْنِحَتَهَا رِضًا لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ وَإِنَّ الْعَالِمَ لَيَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالْحِيتَانُ فِي جَوْفِ الْمَاءِ وَإِنَّ فَضْلَ الْعَالِمِ عَلَى الْعَابِدِ كَفَضْلِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ عَلَى سَائِرِ الْكَوَاكِبِ وَإِنَّ الْعُلَمَاءَ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَإِنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ لَمْ يُوَرِّثُوا دِينَارًا وَلَا دِرْهَمًا وَرَّثُوا الْعِلْمَ فَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ أَخَذَ بِحَظٍّ وَافِرٍ

Verily, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge. The inhabitants of the heavens and earth, even the fish in the depths of the water, seek forgiveness for the scholar. The virtue of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over the stars. The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. They do not leave behind gold or silver coins, but rather they leave behind knowledge. Whoever has taken hold of it has been given an abundant share.

Let’s look at the very first revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet (pbuh). The first five ayahs (verses) revealed were: “Read in the name of your Lord Who created.  He created man from a clot. Read and your Lord is the Most Honourable. Who taught by the pen. Taught man what he knew not.” (96:1-5)             

If we analyse the vocabulary here, it’s apparent that the word “اقـــــرأ” (read) is repeated two times, the word "قـــــلــــم" (pen) is mentioned once and the word "عــــلَّـم" (taught) is repeated twice.

These verses inform us that man is created from a clot of blood then Allah was merciful to man by teaching him.  

Once a person has acquired knowledge, no matter how small they should try and then teach it to someone else. Begin by those in your own home, your family and even friends. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

“When a man dies all his deeds comes to an end except for three: an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him.” (Bukhari).

This will be a means of attaining rewards from Allah (SWT). Allah will honour such a person both in the Dunya (world) and the Akhira (Hereafter). "Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have been granted knowledge to high ranks." (Qur’an 58:11)

Mu’awiyah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

مَنْ يُرِدْ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ

If Allah intends goodness for someone, he gives him understanding of the religion.

In another narration, the Prophet said:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ بِالتَّعَلُّمِ وَالْفِقْهُ بِالتَّفَقُّهِ وَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَإِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ

O people, knowledge only comes by learning and understanding only comes by seeking understanding. For whomever Allah intends good, he gives him understanding of the religion.

 Hence knowledge is more important than worldly possessions and we should strive to acquire knowledge as much as we can. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Qur’an: "And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge." (20:114)

Once a person has acquired knowledge and has been in a position to teach others, they should not become arrogant. Rather this should be a chance for the person to humble themselves in front of the Almighty.  “It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah." (35:28)

Is is a sad reality that the Muslim Ummah has taken a backseat in the quest for knowledge and the advancement of education. If we take a look at the history of the Muslim World, this wasn't always the case.

If we study The Islamic Golden Age, which refers to a period in the history of Islam, traditionally dated from the 8th century to the 13th century, we learn how science, economic development, and cultural works advanced.

Whilst the Western world struggled with the Dark Ages,  Muslim countries became the most advanced. Many Muslim scientists left a huge contribution and lasting impact in the World. We must try to go back and nurture our progress in knowledge.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

خَيْرُكُمْ إِسْلَامًا أَحَاسِنُكُمْ أَخْلَاقًا إِذَا فَقُهُوا

The best of you in Islam are those with the best character, if they have religious understanding.

So this is what its really important to try and get this understanding so we can behave with dignity and tranquillity and really understand the teachings of Allah SWT. At the same time we can teach other people and ensure they can have a positive impact on their lives inshallah. May Allah SWT accept our intentions for seeking knowledge.