The Virtue of Knowledge
In Islam, the pursuit of knowledge occupies a paramount position. Allah, in His divine book, commands the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with the words: “Read in the name of your Lord who created. Created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not.” This illustrates the significance and revered status of knowledge within the Islamic tradition, highlighting that a community cannot thrive without it. Furthermore, there are specific etiquettes associated with both scholars and students of knowledge, which include: sincerity of intention solely for Allah, humility without arrogance towards others, respect of the student toward their teacher in manners of speech and inquiries, and the responsibility to invite others to Allah through knowledge. Given that there are etiquettes surrounding knowledge, it also carries numerous virtues, the most notable of which are:
- The inheritance of piety in the hearts of those who acquire knowledge, as stated in the Quran: “Indeed, it is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.”
- Elevating a believer in both this world and the Hereafter, as mentioned in the Quran: “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees.”
- Allah has commanded the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to seek an increase in knowledge, as referenced in the Quran: “And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’”
Hadith on the Virtue of Knowledge
The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) contains a variety of hadiths that reflect the importance and excellence of seeking knowledge, including:
- “Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the hearts of the servants. Rather, He takes knowledge by taking away the scholars, until when no scholar remains, the people take ignorant leaders. They are asked, and they issue rulings without knowledge. Thus, they become misguided and misguide others.”
- He (peace be upon him) said: “A people will come to you seeking knowledge; when you see them, say to them, ‘Welcome, welcome to the advice of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and support them.’”
- Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated 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 rightly, and a man whom Allah has given wisdom, and he rules in accordance with it and teaches it.”
- “When a person dies, their deeds cease except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.”
- “The virtue of knowledge is dearer to me than the virtue of worship, and the best of your religion is piety.”
- Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge in Allah from knowledge that is not beneficial.”
- “May Allah illuminate the face of a person who hears something from us and preserves it until they convey it to others, for perhaps the one who carries knowledge does not understand it, while the one who receives it may understand it better.”
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.”
- “Whoever comes to my mosque not for anything other than seeking goodness to learn or teach it is like the one who strives in the path of Allah; while anyone who comes for any other purpose is like a man who looks at the belongings of others.”
Quranic Verses on the Virtue and Dissemination of Knowledge
The Quran contains numerous verses that emphasize the value of knowledge and the encouragement to spread it, such as:
- Allah says: “Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only they will remember who are people of understanding.’”
- Allah further states: “And fear Allah, and Allah will teach you; and Allah is Knowing of all things.”
- He commands the Messenger (peace be upon him): “O Messenger, convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord. And if you do not, you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.”
- He also 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 among the polytheists.’”
- Moreover, Allah states: “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.”
- Allah advises: “And remember what is recited in your houses of the verses of Allah and wisdom.”