Hadiths on the Virtue of Knowledge
Numerous hadiths within the prophetic tradition emphasize the significance and merit of pursuing knowledge. Some key examples include:
- “When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three things: charitable donations, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “There will come to you people seeking knowledge; when you see them, greet them and welcome them in accordance with the Prophet’s advice.”
- “Whoever comes to this mosque seeking only good to learn or teach is like a fighter in the cause of Allah, while anyone who comes for other purposes is akin to someone merely eyeing the belongings of others.”
- Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “There is no envy except in two cases: a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously, and a man whom Allah has given wisdom, and he adjudicates and teaches others.”
- “The virtue of knowledge is dearer to me than the virtue of worship, and the best of your religion is piety.”
- Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge in Him from knowledge that does not benefit.”
- “Indeed, Allah does not withdraw knowledge by snatching it from the hearts of the servants, but He withdraws knowledge by taking away the scholars, until no scholar remains. People will take ignorant individuals as leaders; when questioned, they will make rulings without knowledge, leading themselves and others astray.”
- “May Allah brighten the face of a person who hears our hadith and memorizes it to convey it to others; for perhaps a bearer of knowledge is not himself knowledgeable, and perhaps a bearer of knowledge will convey it to one who is more knowledgeable than him.”
- The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) declared: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
Verses Highlighting the Importance of Knowledge and Its Dissemination
The Holy Quran contains several verses that discuss the status of knowledge and the encouragement to spread it. Notable verses include:
- Allah Almighty says: “And fear Allah; and Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things.”
- Allah commands the Messenger: “O Messenger, proclaim that which has been revealed to you from your Lord. And if you do not do that, then you have not proclaimed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.”
- Allah commands, “And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allah and wisdom.”
- Allah says, “Say, ‘This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and whoever follows me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of the polytheists.’
- Allah asks, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only they will remember who are people of understanding.”
- Allah declares, “It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they were before in clear error.”
The Virtues of Knowledge
The pursuit of knowledge is characterized by numerous benefits, including:
- Knowledge endures while material wealth fades, as emphasized in the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three things: charitable donations, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.”
- The knowledgeable individuals will uphold Allah’s commandments until the Day of Judgment, as stated by the Prophet: “If Allah wishes good for someone, He grants them understanding of the religion, and I merely distribute; Allah gives. This nation will continue following Allah’s command, and none will harm them who oppose them, until the decree of Allah comes.”
- Knowledgeable individuals inherit the fear of Allah that the prophets passed down, as mentioned: “Indeed, it is only those who have knowledge among His servants who fear Allah.”
- Through knowledge, a Muslim attains elevated status both in this life and the hereafter, as stated: “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees.”
- Allah commands the Prophet (peace be upon him) to seek an increase in knowledge: “And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’