Publisher's Note:
All praise is for Allaah; peace and prayers be upon Muhammad his family, his Companions and all those who follow in their footsteps until the Day of Judgement.In the following pages is a short essay by one of the greatest scholars alive today on the merits of knowledge and the characteristics of the scholars. The Shaykh, may Allaah protect him, has beautifully described the importance of seeking knowledge, acting according to it and other related matters. It is hoped that this booklet will help to create a realization of the importance of knowledge and the status of the scholars.
The booklet has been published in Arabic under the title: Al-'llm wa Akhlaaqu Ahlihi. The translator, may Allaah reward him has added some useful footnotes and included an appendix containing some very valuable points, taken from the writings of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.
All praise and thanks are due to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds; and the good end is for the pious. Prayers and peace be upon His Slave and Messenger; the best of His creation, the faithful to His revelation, our Messenger and Leader, Muhammad the son of 'Abdullaah; upon his family, his Companions and whoever follows his way until the Day of Judgement. To proceed:
Indeed the virtues and merits of knowledge ('ilm) are well known to everyone. It is the most noble thing that one can ask for, and the best thing a seeker can strive to attain. Knowledge consists of many branches, but according to the scholars of Islaam: "What is meant by knowledge in the absolute sense is Islamic knowledge."
This is the intended meaning of knowledge in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). In the absolute sense, it is knowledge regarding Allaah, His names and attributes, knowledge of His rights over His creation, and what He, the One free from all defects, the Most High, has prescribed for them. It is the detailed knowledge of the path that leads to Allaah; knowledge of the purpose of our creation; and the end which the slave will result in, in the Hereafter.
This Islamic knowledge is the best of sciences worth acquiring because through it Allaah is recognized and acknowledged, and by it He is worshipped. One who possesses this knowledge knows what Allaah has made lawful for him and what He has prohibited him from; what pleases Him and what evokes His anger. With this knowledge a person knows his result with Allaah and his end. From amongst the people, those who have taken upon themselves to observe the precepts of the Religion will result in Paradise and bliss, and the rest (which are the majority) will result in a place of disgrace, humiliation and misery. The people of knowledge have cautioned us about this and explained that knowledge is confined to this meaning.
Amongst the scholars who indicated this is al-Qaadi ibn Abil' Izz [Abul-Hasan Sadruddeen Alee bin 'Alaa-uddeen ibn Abil Izz al-Hanafee. He died in the year 792H] (commentator of 'Aqeedatut Tahaawiyyah) at the beginning of his commentary. Others have also referred to it, such as Ibn Qayyim, Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [Shaykh-ul-Islaam Taqee ud-Deen Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah, one of the great scholars of Islaam, well known for his vast knowledge and piety. He authored many books on a variety of subjects. He died in the year 728H. Imaam lbn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah was one of his students, a scholar in his own right, who has written may useful books. He died in the year 751 H.] and a number of others.
It is very clear that the merits and virtues of knowledge vary depending on the extent of one's adherence to it. The greatest and most excellent knowledge is that which pertains to Allaah, His names, and His attributes, and this knowledge is known as 'aqeedah (belief). Indeed to Allaah, the Exalted and Supreme, belongs the best example, which is the highest description in every aspect of His essence, names, attributes and actions.
Following this is that which is related to Allaah's right over His creation, what He has prescribed upon them. Following this is what supports and bonds it in understanding such as knowledge of the principles of Arabic, Islamic terminology, principles of fiqh, hadeeth methodology and other sciences which are connected to this knowledge, which assist it in both understanding and precision.
The biography of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Islamic history, biography of the narrators of hadeeth and of the scholars of Islaam are also part of this knowledge.
Allaah has honoured and extolled the people who possess this knowledge, and He has raised their status high. He made them bear witness to His Oneness with sincere devotion.
"Allaah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He, and the angels, and those having knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He is always) maintaining His creation in justice. None has the right to be worshipped but He, the All-Mighty the All-Wise." [Soorah Aal-Imraan (3):18]
The people of knowledge bear witness to His Oneness along with the angels. The angels ('alayhimussalaam) and the people of knowledge, affirm Allaah's Oneness with sincere devotion towards Him, that He is the Lord of the worlds, the true deity worthy of worship and that worship of anyone besides Him is futile and void.
This affirmation in itself is sufficient proof to show their high station due to the fact that Allaah made them testify to His Oneness and the right for His worship. He, the Most High, explained clearly that none is equal to them: "
...Say: `Are those who know equal to those who know not?' It is only men of understanding who will remember (that is get a lesson from Allaah's signs)." [Soorah az-Zumar (39):9]
And the Mighty and Majestic says:
"Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed unto you (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)) from your Lord is the truth be like him who is blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed." [Soorah ar-R'ad (13):19]
Therefore, the people of knowledge and the ignorant are not alike. The person, who has knowledge that what Allaah has revealed is the truth, guidance and a way to success, is not equal to the one who has been blinded to this way and to this knowledge. There is an immense difference between the knowledgeable and the ignorant. It is the difference between one who knows the truth and obtains insight through its light and acts according to its guidance until he meets his Lord achieving success with nobility, and one who is blind to this way and follows his desires taking the path of Shaytaan.
The two groups are not similar. Allaah has clearly stated that He raises the ranks of the people of knowledge due to their effect upon the people and the great benefit that people draw from them. Thus some of the people of knowledge have said: "What is more beneficial than their effect upon the people! What is more harmful than the people's effect upon them!"
Their beneficial effects upon the people is their directing the people towards righteousness and guiding them to the truth, making sure that the guidance reaches them - and these are great benefits that are derived from them. Allaah [This means that He rewards them and forgives them their sins. For a detailed discussion refer to Sifaatullaahi Azzawajal al-Wooridah fil Kitoabi was Sunnati by Ibn 'Abdul-Qaadir.] thanks them and the believers thank them for their meritorious actions.
At the head of all the scholars are the prophets ('alayhimussalaAm) for they are the guides and the callers to Islaam. They are the most knowledgeable and learned of people with regards to Allaah and His Sharee'ah. The best people after the prophets are those who follow them; those who are well acquainted with that which the prophets came (i.e. the revelation); and those who call to Islaam in the best way, with patience and guide the people to it. The Most High says:
"...Allaah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge ('Ilm) ..." [Soorah al-Mujaadilah (58):11]
"And that was our proof which we gave Ibraaheem against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees..." [Soorah al-An'aam (6):83]
He, the Most High, explained that the people of knowledge fear Him as He ought to be feared, although this fear, generally speaking, is present within the believers and others. But the true and complete fear of Allaah is present only among the scholars, at the head of them being the prophets ('alayhimussalaam):
"...It is only those who have knowledge ('Iim) among His slaves that fear Allaah..." [Soorah Faatir (35):28]
That is, complete and perfect fear. The scholars have knowledge of Allaah, His names, His attributes and His Sharee'ah, which He dispatched the prophets with. Hence when some people who took the knowledge to which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was guiding to be insufficient and said: "We are not like you O Messenger of Allaah! Allaah has forgiven your past and future sins." The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "By Allaah! Indeed I am the one who fears Allaah the most amongst you, and the most pious of *1 you."
*1[The full text of the hadeeth is as follows:]
Narrated by Anas bin Maalik (radiyallaahu 'anhu), he says: "A group of three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asking how the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) worshipped (Allaah), and when they were informed about that, they considered their worship insufficient and said: 'Where are we compared to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as his past and future sins have been forgiven.' Then one of them said: 'I will offer the prayer throughout the night for ever.' The other said: 'I will fast throughout the year and will not break my fast' The third said: 'I will keep away from The scholars are the most fearful of Allaah among mankind due to their knowledge of Allaah, His Deen, His names and His attributes. They are the most eager among men for the truth depending on the extent of their knowledge of Allaah. Further above them and the most perfect are the prophets, as they fear Allaah the most. The most perfect of them, with regard to knowledge, fear and piety, is our Messenger Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
There are many ahaadeeth showing the virtues and merits of knowledge. From them is his (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying: "Whosoever pursues a path to seek knowledge therein, Allaah will thereby make easy for him a path to Paradise."
So this shows us the great excellence of the students of knowledge. For whoever corrects his intention in seeking knowledge and desires only His Face, he is on a road to salvation (from the Fire) and happiness (in Paradise).*2
women and will never marry.' Allaah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ''Are you the same people who said so-and so? By Allaah! Indeed I am the one who fears Allaah the most amongst you, and the most pious of you; yet I fast and break my fast, I pray and I sleep, and I marry women. So he who opposes my Sunnah is not from me." Reported by Imaam al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh.
make easy for him a path to Paradise. No people gather together in one of the houses of Allaah (i.e. a mosque), reciting the Book of Allaah and studying it among themselves, without tranquility descending upon them, mercy enveloping them and angels surrounding them, and Allaah making mention of them to those who are with Him. Whosoever is slowed down by his actions will not be hastened forward by his lineage." Reported by lmaam Muslim is his Saheeh.
*2[The full text of the hadeeth is as follows:]
On the authority of Aboo Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Whosoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allaah will remove from him one of the grief’s of the Day of Judgement. Whosoever alleviates (the lot) of a destitute person, Allaah will alleviate his lot in this world and the next. Whosoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allaah will conceal his faults in this world and the next. Allaah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the servant aids his brother. Whosoever pursues a path to seek knowledge therein, Allaah will thereby Knowledge should be sought for the right reasons and for its implementation (acting according to the knowledge) not for the sake of ostentation (riyaa') [On the authority of Mahmood,bin Lubayd that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "The thing that I fear for you the most is Shirk al-Asghar (the minor shirk)!" The Companions asked, "O Messenger of Allaah! What is Shirk al-Asghar?" He replied, "Ostentation (showing off)." Saheeh, reported by Ahmad. Baihaqee reported the addition in Shu'ab at-Eemaan: "On the Day (of judgement) Allaah will reward people for their deeds, He will say, 'Go to those people for whose attention and praise you did these deeds, and see whether you will find with them any reward!"'], fame, or for the sake of any other gain from the ephemeral gains of this world; rather, he learns it to be acquainted with his Deen, to have insight into what Allaah has made incumbent upon him, to strive to take the people out of darkness and into the light, so he seeks knowledge and acts upon it and teaches others about the good that a Muslim is ordered to do.
Every path that he takes in search of knowledge is a way to Paradise; this is true for every path, literal or otherwise: his journey from one country to another; going from one circle of knowledge to another; and from one mosque to another for the sole intention of seeking knowledge. These are from the ways of acquiring knowledge, likewise memorizing and studying Islamic books of knowledge, perusal and writing are also from the ways of seeking knowledge.
A proper student is concerned with all these paths that lead to knowledge. He seeks it, desiring the Face of His Lord, the Mighty and the Majestic. He wants to seek Allaah's pleasure and a home in Paradise; he wants to understand and reflect upon His Deen; he wants to know what Allaah has made incumbent upon him and what He has prohibited him from, then acts accordingly; he wants to know his Lord with insight and cognizance; he wants to rescue people (from the Fire of Hell); he wants to be amongst the guided callers striving for the truth; and he wants to guide people to Allaah through knowledge. So wherever he turns he is in great excellence with these correct intentions - even his sleep is from the paths to Paradise - if he sleeps in order to strengthen himself to seek knowledge, or to commit a book of knowledge to memory, then his sleep is regarded as worship [Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) says: Worship is a comprehensive term for everything that Allaah loves and is pleased with from among the sayings and actions, hidden or apparent.], contrary to the one who has an evil intention, for he is in great danger. [Umar ibn al-Khattaab (radiyallaahuu 'anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Actions are but by intentions and there is for every person only that which he intended. So he whose migration was for Allaah and His Messenger, then his migration was for Allaah and His Messenger, and he whose migration was for some worldly goal or to take a woman in marriage, then his migration was for that which he migrated." Reported by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim in their Saheehs.]
It is related in a hadeeth that the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "if anyone acquires knowledge o f things by which Allaah's good pleasure is sought, but instead he acquires it only to get worldly advantage, he will not smell the fragrance o f Paradise on the Day o f Reckoning." [Reported by Aboo Daawood in his Sunan, with a sound chain of narration (Ibn Baaz).]
This is a great admonition for the person who has an evil intention. It is reported that the Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Whoever acquires knowledge in order to compete with the scholars or to dispute with the ignorant or to attract the attention of people - then the Fire! the Fire!"
Knowledge is acquired by studying [The Messenger of Allaah (W said, "Knowledge is acquired by studying..." See Shaykh al-Albaanee's Silsilatul Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah (I /605/342).], then implementing it for Allaah's pleasure because He has ordered it and made it a means by which the truth is manifested.
The first of the people who will be thrown into the Fire will be from amongst those who acquired knowledge and recited the Qur'aan for others besides Allaah, hoping that it might be said: He is a scholar or, it might be said, he is a reciter. [On the authority of Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu 'anhu), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say, "...[Another] will be a man who has acquired knowledge (Ilm) and has taught it and who used to recite the Qur'aan. He will be brought (on the Day of Judgement) and Allaah will make known to him His favours and he will acknowledge them. (The Almighty) will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I studied knowledge and taught it and recited the Qur'aan for your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but acquire knowledge that it might be said [of you]: He is learned. You recited the Qur'aan that it might be said [of you]: He is a reciter. And so it was said. Then he will ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into the Hellfire..."] There is no power nor might except with Allaah!
For the complete hadeeth refer to Saheeh Muslim, at-Tirmidhee or an-Nasaa'ee.
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