Chapter 222: About the Virtue of Learning and Teaching Knowledge for Allah's Sake

Translation: [ Status of Acquiring Knowledge in Islam:

Translation: Islam is the religion of Allah. It is the balanced religion that gives each affair its due weight. As we have explained, the most honorable knowledge is that which leads to piety and fearing Allah.It is the knowledge that leads one to keep good relations with Allah's creatures.

Translation: Despite this fact, the Noble Koran did not neglect secular knowledge. Rather it praised it in a way that it ascribes fearing Allah to the scientists in the following two verses:

Translation: " Have not you seen that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colors. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of color, and black intense in hue. * And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, they are of various colors. Those truly fear Allah, among His servants are those who have knowledge. For, Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft- Forgiving. * " (35: 27-28)

Translation: Acquiring secular knowledge is also praised in other places in the Noble Koran. Each verse or Hadith that acclaims and appreciates knowledge, it implicitly acclaims and appreciates secular knowledge. Allah says:

Translation: “ Is one who worships devoutly during the hours of the night prostrating himself or standing (in adoration), who takes heed of the Hereafter, and who places his hope in the mercy of his Lord, (like one who does not)? Say: " Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition. " (39: 9) And

Translation: " O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room, (ample) room will Allah provide for you. And when you are told to rise up, rise up, Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted Knowledge. And Allah is well-acquainted with all ye do. * " (58: 11)

Translation: The Messenger of Allah said as:

Translation: Narrated by Anas ibn Malek: ' The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “ Whoever goes out searching for knowledge has the reward of him that marched out for fighting for Allah's cause until he returns. " (At-Termizi) And

Translation: Narrated Qays ibn Katheer: ‘ A man came to Damascus from Madina to see Abu Al-Darda'a. Abu Al-Darda'a said: " Why did you come here brother? " He said: " I have heard that you narrate a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah. " He said: " Have not you come to request anything else? Have not you come for trade? " He said: " No. I have come only to investigate this Hadith. " Abu Al-Darda'a said: " I have heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying: ' Whoever treads a road searching for knowledge, Allah will facilitate a way to

Translation: Paradise for him, and the angels will lay down their wings for the searcher of knowledge. All that is on the earth and in the heavens, even the fish in the sea, seek forgiveness for the searcher of knowledge. The excellence of the searcher of knowledge [ compared] to the worshipper is like the excellence of the moon over the other planets. The scholars are the Prophets ' heirs. For the Prophets did not leave a Dirham nor a Dinar. They left knowledge. Whoever takes it has taken an abundant share. " 555

Translation: Then, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ warned us against the plight that may befall the searcher of knowledge. He orders that seeking knowledge should be for Allah's sake. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said as:

Narrated by Ka'ab ibn Malek: ' I heard the Messenger of

Translation: to argue with the fool, nor to attract people towards oneself. He that does this, Allah admits him into Hellfire. "

The Messenger of Allah said as:

Translation: 2570. Narrated by Abu-Huraira: ' The Messenger of Allah said: " He that has trodden a way searching for knowledge, Allah would facilitate a way to Paradise by virtue of it. ” (At-Termizi) And

Translation: Narrated Anas ibn Malek: ' The Messenger of Allah said: " He that has gone out searching for knowledge is like he that has marched out for fighting for Allah's sake. " (At-Termizi) And

Translation: Narrated Abu-Omama Al-Bahili: ' Two men, one of them was always bowing in prayer and the other was always searching for knowledge were mentioned before the Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “ The superiority of the one who always searches for knowledge to the one who always performs the acts of worship is equal to my superiority over the least pious among you. 353 " Abu- Omama said: ' The Messenger of Allah said further: " Allah

Translation: , His angels, and the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its nest and the whale invoke Allah for those who teach people goodness. " " (At-Termizi)

Translation: When our predecessors acted upon these verses and Hadiths, they achieved many discoveries in all fields of activities, in industry, laboratories, medicine, navigation, mathematics, etc. Such discoveries contributed greatly in the industrial revolution in Europe, as they represented the basis to the renaissance in Europe in the various fields of knowledge.

We mention here the Muslim scholars ' contribution to medicine for example. The Muslim scientists were the first to introduce the following: isolation wards for communicable diseases, especially leprosy; acid to be used in cauterization; surgical instruments; cardiac medicines; iron tablets as a cure for anemia; and intra-abdominal tubes for the drainage of abdominal abscesses. They were the first to perform cataract removal surgery, and diagnose hydrocephalus and smallpox.

Now, let us read what Imam Al-Nawawi compiled in the same concern.]

Allah said:

Translation: “ Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: " Are those who know equal to those who know not? " It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allah's Signs and Verses).

Translation: (39: 9) And

Translation: " O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room. Allah will give you (ample) room (of His mercy). And when you are told to rise up, rise up. Allah will exalt in degrees those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do. * " (58: 11) And

Translation: " And likewise of men, living beasts, and cattle are of various colors. It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft- Forgiving. * " (35:28)

Translation: 752. Sahl ibn Sa'ad narrated that he heard the Prophet on the day (of the battle) of Khaybar saying: " I will give the flag to a person at whose hands Allah will grant victory. So, the companions of the Prophet ﷺ got up, wishing eagerly to see to whom the flag will be given, and each one of them wished to be given the flag. But the Prophet ﷺ asked for Ali. Someone informed him that he was suffering from eye trouble. So, he ordered them to bring Ali to him. Then the Prophet spat in his eyes and his eyes were cured immediately as if he had never any eye trouble. Ali said; " We will fight against them (the non-Muslims) until they become like us (Muslims). The Prophet ﷺ said: “ Be patient, until you face them and invite them to Islam and inform them of what Allah has enjoined upon them. By Allah! If a single person. reverted to Islam at your hands (i.e. through you), that will be better for you than the red camels. " (Bukhari)

Translation: 753. Narrated Abu-Musa ' The Prophet said: " The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which (the pieces of land) were fertile soil that absorbed. rainwater and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion was hard and held the rainwater and Allah benefited the people therewith. They utilized it for drinking, (watering their animals, irrigating their fields for cultivation). (And) a portion of it was swampy that could neither hold water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's Religion (Islam) and derives benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me and learns it, then teaches it to others. The (last example is that of a) person who does not care for it and does not take Allah ' s Guidance revealed through me (He is) like that barren land. " (Bukhari)

Translation: 754. Narrated Ka'ab ibn Malek: ' I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saying: “ Do not learn knowledge just to be a scholar, to argue with the fool, nor to attract people towards oneself. He that does this, Allah admits him into Hellfire. " 337 (At-Termizi)

Translation: 755. Narrated Abu-Huraira: ' The Messenger of Allah said: " He that has trodden a way searching for knowledge, Allah will facilitate a way to Paradise by virtue of it. " (At-Termizi) And

Translation: 756. Narrated Anas ibn Malek: The Messenger of Allah said: " He that has gone out searching for knowledge is like he that has marched out for fighting for Allah's sake. ” (At-Termizi)

Translation: 757. Narrated Abu-Horaira: Allah's Messenger said: " When a son of Adam dies no further reward is recorded for his actions, with three exceptions. A Sadaqa (an endowment) whose benefit is continuous, knowledge from which benefit continues to be reaped, or the supplication of a righteous son (for him). " (Muslim)

Translation: 758. Narrated Abu-Omama Al-Bahili: " Two men, one of them was always bowing in prayer and the other was always searching for knowledge were mentioned to the Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “ The superiority of the one who always searches for knowledge [ compared] to the one who always performs the acts of worship is equal to my superiority over the least pious among you. " Abu- Omama said: " The Messenger of Allah said further: " Allah

Translation: , His angels, and the dwellers of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its nest and the whale invoke Allah for those who teach people goodness. " ** (At-Termizi)

Translation: 759. Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-Ass: ' I heard

Translation: Allah's Messenger ﷺ saying: “ Allah does not take away (religious) knowledge by taking it away from (the hearts of) the people, but takes it away by the death of the learned religious men until none of them (religious learned men) remains, people will take as their leaders ignorant people who, when they are consulted would give their opinions without knowledge. So they will go astray and will lead the people astray. " " " (Bukhari)