Sunday, 16 October 2011
The condition of Muslims today, especially the youth, is due to our ignorance and lack of interest in seeking knowledge. Hereunder Insha Allaah we will learn about the importance and excellence Allaahu Tha’alaa and His Beloved Rasool (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) have placed in knowledge.
Hujjatul Islam Hazrat Imam Ghazzali (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states that knowledge is the foundation of every action and the pivot of religion. The goodness in this world and the hereafter cannot be attained without knowledge, nor can belief (Eemaan) be perfected without it. Therefore it is said that an ignorant cannot recognize Allaahu Tha’alaa. It is further stated that there is no path that leads to Allaahu Tha’alaa that is faser than knowledge and the biggest obstacle between you and Almighty Allaah is ignorance. [Fadlul-I’lm-wal-Ulama]
Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The destruction of my followers lies in two things; giving up knowledge and amassing wealth.” Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also stated that anyone cursed by Allaahu Tha’alaa is removed from knowledge and that there is no bigger poverty than ignorance. [Makashifatul Quloob]
Hazrat Imam Isma’il bin Abi Rajaa (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states that he saw Imam Muhammad (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) in a dream and inquired of his welfare. The Imam (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) said that Allaahu Tha’alaa Pardoned him and Said: “If I had Ordained to punish you then I would not have blessed you with knowledge.” [Durre Mukhtar]
Sayyiduna Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) further stated, “When Allaahu Tha’alaa Intends to do good to anyone, He makes him knowledgeable in the matters of Deen.” [Sahih Bukhari; Tirmidhi]
It is recorded that two persons were mentioned in the presence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), an Aabid (worshipper) and an Aalim (learned). The Beloved Rasool (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The merit of an Aalim over an Aabid is like my prominence over an insignificant amongst you.” [Tirmidhi]
It is reported that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Allaah is Most Generous and I am the most charitable amongst mankind, and after me the most generous amongst you is he who seeks knowledge and propagates it.” [Bayhaqi]
Imam Zahbi (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) reports that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that on the Day of Judgment the ink of the Ulama and the blood of the Martyrs will be brought forward and the ink of the Ulama will be superior to the blood of the Martyrs.
It is stated that on the Day of Judgment Allaahu Tha’alaa will order the Ulama and the Shuhada to enter Jannat. The Ulama will say, “O Allaah, It is we who taught the people to worship You and make Jihad.” Allaahu Tha’alaa will state, “To Me, you are like My angels. Seek pardon for whom you desire and I will accept it.” The Ulama will then intercede for the people and they will be sent to Jannat. [Ihya-ul-Uloom]
It is stated in the Hadith Shareef that if a person seeks one section of knowledge to educate others, Allaahu Tha’alaa will bless him with the reward of seventy Siddiqeen. [Fadlul-I’lm-wal-Ulama]
Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “When a person travels in search of knowledge, the angels spread their wings under his feet, the earth, skies and fish of the ocean make Dua for him.” [Mu’alim Al-Tanzeel]
It is further narrated from Hazrat Abu Darda (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “If one takes a single step in search of knowledge, then Allaahu Tha’alaa will lead him on one of the paths of Jannah, and verily, the angels spread their wings of mercy for a student. Indeed, all the dwellers of earth, the skies and also the fish of the oceans seek pardon for a scholar of Deen. And verily, the prominence of a scholar over a worshipper is similar to the excellence of the full moon over the stars. Undoubtedly, the Ulama are the successors of the Prophets and they do not leave any wealth behind besides knowledge. Hence, one who has acquired knowledge has indeed achieved a great share of wealth.” [Tirmidhi]
It is stated that indeed Allaahu Tha’alaa, His angels, the dwellers of the earth and skies, the ants in their holes and even the fish collectively send blessings on one who seeks knowledge and teaches others. [Tirmidhi]
“When a person travels in search of knowledge, then Allaahu Tha’alaa makes his journey easy towards Jannah. And when people leave the Masjid and assemble to recite the Holy Qur’an and teach it, Divine Mercy descends on them and the Rahmah of Almighty Allaah enshrouds them. The angels of mercy also surround them while Allaahu Tha’alaa Praises them and tells the angels how pleased He is with them.” [Sahih Muslim]
Hazrat Abu Zarr (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) narrates that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “To be present in the Majlis of an Aalim is better than performing a thousand Rakaats of Salaah, visiting a thousand sick people and being present in a thousand Janaazas.” Someone asked, “Ya Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), what about the Tilaawat of the Qur’an?” (Meaning the presence of an Aalim in a Majlis as better than the recitation of the Holy Qur’an?) Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Can one derive the benefits of the Qur’an without knowledge?” [Lisaanul Mizaan]
Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) also stated, “A single Faqi (Jurist) is more heavy on the Cursed Shaitaan than a thousand worshippers.” [Lisaanul Mizaan] This is obvious because a worshipper worships to save his own soul while a Faqi educates and saves a nation from the evils of the Shaitaan.
Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states: “An Aalim is more superior than a Mujaahid and one who observes fast and stays awake all night in Ibaadat.”
Hazrat Imam Ghazzali (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) reports that a single sight of the face of an Aalim is more virtuous than an entire year’s devotion of Salaah and Fasting.
Hazrat Abu Darda (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states that he regards the learning of a single rule of Islam as more virtuous than staying awake all night in Ibaadat.
Hazrat Umar Farooq (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states that the death of a thousand devotees, who stay awake at night in worship and observe fast in the day, is of no comparison to the Sabr (patience) that a single Aalim exercises on the Haraam and Halaal of Allaahu Tha’alaa. [Fadlul-I’lm-wal-Ulama]
May Allaahu Tha’alaa grant us the Taufeeq to become seekers of knowledge and to remain as such until our last breath in this world, Ameen.
Hujjatul Islam Hazrat Imam Ghazzali (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states that knowledge is the foundation of every action and the pivot of religion. The goodness in this world and the hereafter cannot be attained without knowledge, nor can belief (Eemaan) be perfected without it. Therefore it is said that an ignorant cannot recognize Allaahu Tha’alaa. It is further stated that there is no path that leads to Allaahu Tha’alaa that is faser than knowledge and the biggest obstacle between you and Almighty Allaah is ignorance. [Fadlul-I’lm-wal-Ulama]
Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The destruction of my followers lies in two things; giving up knowledge and amassing wealth.” Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has also stated that anyone cursed by Allaahu Tha’alaa is removed from knowledge and that there is no bigger poverty than ignorance. [Makashifatul Quloob]
Hazrat Imam Isma’il bin Abi Rajaa (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states that he saw Imam Muhammad (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) in a dream and inquired of his welfare. The Imam (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) said that Allaahu Tha’alaa Pardoned him and Said: “If I had Ordained to punish you then I would not have blessed you with knowledge.” [Durre Mukhtar]
Sayyiduna Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) further stated, “When Allaahu Tha’alaa Intends to do good to anyone, He makes him knowledgeable in the matters of Deen.” [Sahih Bukhari; Tirmidhi]
It is recorded that two persons were mentioned in the presence of Sayyiduna Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), an Aabid (worshipper) and an Aalim (learned). The Beloved Rasool (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “The merit of an Aalim over an Aabid is like my prominence over an insignificant amongst you.” [Tirmidhi]
It is reported that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Allaah is Most Generous and I am the most charitable amongst mankind, and after me the most generous amongst you is he who seeks knowledge and propagates it.” [Bayhaqi]
Imam Zahbi (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) reports that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that on the Day of Judgment the ink of the Ulama and the blood of the Martyrs will be brought forward and the ink of the Ulama will be superior to the blood of the Martyrs.
It is stated that on the Day of Judgment Allaahu Tha’alaa will order the Ulama and the Shuhada to enter Jannat. The Ulama will say, “O Allaah, It is we who taught the people to worship You and make Jihad.” Allaahu Tha’alaa will state, “To Me, you are like My angels. Seek pardon for whom you desire and I will accept it.” The Ulama will then intercede for the people and they will be sent to Jannat. [Ihya-ul-Uloom]
It is stated in the Hadith Shareef that if a person seeks one section of knowledge to educate others, Allaahu Tha’alaa will bless him with the reward of seventy Siddiqeen. [Fadlul-I’lm-wal-Ulama]
Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has said, “When a person travels in search of knowledge, the angels spread their wings under his feet, the earth, skies and fish of the ocean make Dua for him.” [Mu’alim Al-Tanzeel]
It is further narrated from Hazrat Abu Darda (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “If one takes a single step in search of knowledge, then Allaahu Tha’alaa will lead him on one of the paths of Jannah, and verily, the angels spread their wings of mercy for a student. Indeed, all the dwellers of earth, the skies and also the fish of the oceans seek pardon for a scholar of Deen. And verily, the prominence of a scholar over a worshipper is similar to the excellence of the full moon over the stars. Undoubtedly, the Ulama are the successors of the Prophets and they do not leave any wealth behind besides knowledge. Hence, one who has acquired knowledge has indeed achieved a great share of wealth.” [Tirmidhi]
It is stated that indeed Allaahu Tha’alaa, His angels, the dwellers of the earth and skies, the ants in their holes and even the fish collectively send blessings on one who seeks knowledge and teaches others. [Tirmidhi]
“When a person travels in search of knowledge, then Allaahu Tha’alaa makes his journey easy towards Jannah. And when people leave the Masjid and assemble to recite the Holy Qur’an and teach it, Divine Mercy descends on them and the Rahmah of Almighty Allaah enshrouds them. The angels of mercy also surround them while Allaahu Tha’alaa Praises them and tells the angels how pleased He is with them.” [Sahih Muslim]
Hazrat Abu Zarr (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) narrates that Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “To be present in the Majlis of an Aalim is better than performing a thousand Rakaats of Salaah, visiting a thousand sick people and being present in a thousand Janaazas.” Someone asked, “Ya Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), what about the Tilaawat of the Qur’an?” (Meaning the presence of an Aalim in a Majlis as better than the recitation of the Holy Qur’an?) Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied, “Can one derive the benefits of the Qur’an without knowledge?” [Lisaanul Mizaan]
Rasoolullaah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) also stated, “A single Faqi (Jurist) is more heavy on the Cursed Shaitaan than a thousand worshippers.” [Lisaanul Mizaan] This is obvious because a worshipper worships to save his own soul while a Faqi educates and saves a nation from the evils of the Shaitaan.
Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states: “An Aalim is more superior than a Mujaahid and one who observes fast and stays awake all night in Ibaadat.”
Hazrat Imam Ghazzali (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) reports that a single sight of the face of an Aalim is more virtuous than an entire year’s devotion of Salaah and Fasting.
Hazrat Abu Darda (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states that he regards the learning of a single rule of Islam as more virtuous than staying awake all night in Ibaadat.
Hazrat Umar Farooq (Radhiyallaahu 'Anh) states that the death of a thousand devotees, who stay awake at night in worship and observe fast in the day, is of no comparison to the Sabr (patience) that a single Aalim exercises on the Haraam and Halaal of Allaahu Tha’alaa. [Fadlul-I’lm-wal-Ulama]
May Allaahu Tha’alaa grant us the Taufeeq to become seekers of knowledge and to remain as such until our last breath in this world, Ameen.
