إن الحمد لله نحمده، ونستعينه، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له ، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأن محمدا عبده ورسوله . أما بعد:
بَابُ فَضْلِ الْعِلْمِ وَالْعُلَمَاءِ
The Virtue of Knowledge and Scholars
قالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ ۚ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ ﴿١٨﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Allah bears witness that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge – [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.”
قالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ
❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.”
وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿٩﴾
❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.”
وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: أَفَمَن يَعْلَمُ أَنَّمَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمَىٰ ۚ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ ﴿١٩﴾
❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“Then is one who knows that what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth like one who is blind? Only those who are intelligent will remember.”
وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ﴿١١﴾
❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.”
Hadith: 1
عن أبى هريرة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من نفس عن مؤمن كربة من كرب الدنيا، نفس الله عنه كربة من كرب يوم القيامة الحديث وفيه: ومن سلك طريقا يلتمس فيه علما سهل الله له به طريقا إلى الجنة
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that he said: Whoever relieves a believer from one of the hardships of this world, Allah will relieve him from one of the hardships of the Hereafter. This hadith also states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to Paradise.
Hadith: 2
و عن زربن حبيش قال: غدوت على صفوان بن عسال المرادي فقال ما جاء بك يازر؟ قال: ابتغاء العلم قال: أفلا أبشرك قال أبو داود قال حماد بن سلمة ولم يقل أحد منهم و رفع الحديث: إن الملائكة لتضع أجنحتها لطالب العلم رضا بما يطلب – صحيح موقوفا على صفوان بن عسال و له حكم الرفع
The narration is authentic.
“And Zarr bin Hubaysh رضي الله عنه narrates that I went to Safwan bin Assal Muradi, he asked me how did you come? Zarr bin Hubaysh رضي الله عنه replied: In pursuit of knowledge. Then he said, shall I not give you glad tidings? Imam Abu Dawood رحمه الله narrated a Marfoo’ narration. Indeed, the angels rejoice because of the seeker’s pursuit of knowledge and spread their wings for him.”
Hadith: 3
و عن كثير بن قيس قال: كنت جالسا مع أبى الدرداء فى مسجد دمشق ، فجائه رجل فقال: يا أبا الدرداء ، إني جئتك من مدينة الرسول لحديث بلغني أنك تحدثه عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، ما جئت لحاجة ، قال: فإنى سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: من سلك طريقا يطلب فيه علما سلك الله عزوجل به طريقا من طرق الجنة ، وإن الملائكة لتضع أجنحتها رضا لطالب العلم ، وإن العالم ليستغفر له من فى السموات ومن فى الأرض ، والحيتان فى جوف الماء ، وإن فضل العالم على العابد كفضل القمر ليلة البدر على سائر الكواكب، وإن العلماء ورثة الأنبياء ، وإن الأنبياء لم يورثوا دينارا ولا درهما ، ورثوا العلم ، فمن أخذه أخذ بحظ وافر
Sheikh Al-Albani has declared it authentic.
“And Kathir bin Qais (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates, I was sitting with Hazrat Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) in the Grand Mosque of Damascus when a man came and said, ‘Abu Darda! I have come to you to hear a hadith from the city of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), which I have learned that you narrate from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). I have not come for any other matter or need.’ Hazrat Abu Darda (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise because of it. The angels spread their wings for the seeker of knowledge, pleased with what he does. Indeed, all creatures in the heavens and the earth, even the fish in the water, ask forgiveness for the scholar. The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like the superiority of the full moon over the rest of the stars. The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, and the Prophets do not leave behind dinars or dirhams as inheritance, but only knowledge. So whoever acquires knowledge has acquired a great share.'”
Hadith: 4
وعن حذيفة بن اليمان رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: فضل العلم خير من فضل العبادة، وخير دينكم الورع
In its chain of narration is Abdullah bin Abdul Quddus. He has been declared trustworthy by Bukhari and Ibn Hibban, while Ibn Ma’in considered him weak.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Hudhaifa bin Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The abundance of knowledge is better than the abundance of worship, and the best religion is piety.”
Hadith: 5
وعن أبى هريرة رضی اللہ عنہ قال: سمعت رسول الله صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم يقول: الدنيا ملعونة ملعون ما فيها إلا ذكر الله وما والاه أو عالما أو متعلما
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: The world and the people of the world, except those who remember Allah and those who seek knowledge and teach it, are all cursed.”
Hadith: 6
وعن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم : إن مثل العلماء فى الأرض كمثل النجوم ، يهتدى بها فى ظلمات البر والبحر، فإذا انطمست النجوم أو شك أن تضل الهداة
Ahmad Shakir has declared it authentic.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The scholars on the face of the earth are like stars by which guidance is sought in the darkness of land and sea. If the stars disappear, travelers fear losing their way.”
Hadith: 7
وعن أبى أمامة الباهلي رضي الله عنه قال: ذكر لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رجلان ، أحدهما عابد والآخر عالم، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : فضل العالم على العابد كفضلي على أدناكم ، ثم قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن الله وملائكته وأهل السموات والأرضين حتى النملة فى جحرها وحتى الحوت ليصلون على معلم الناس الخير
Muhaddith Albani has declared it authentic.
“And Hazrat Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that two men, one a worshiper and one a scholar, were mentioned before the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and he said: The scholar has superiority over the worshiper just as I have superiority over the least among you. He further said: Allah, His angels, and all creatures of the heavens and the earth, even ants in their hills and fish in the sea, continuously pray for mercy upon those who teach people knowledge.”
Hadith: 8
وعن ثعلبة بن الحكم الصحابي رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : يقول الله عزوجل للعلماء يوم القيامة إذا قعد على كرسيه لفصل عباده: إنى لم أجعل علمي وحلمي فيكم إلا وأنا أريد أن أغفر لكم على ما كان منكم ولا أبالي
Muhaddith Dimyati has declared its chain authentic.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Tha’laba bin Hakim (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: On the Day of Resurrection, Allah Almighty will sit on the Kursi and judge among His servants, then He will say to the scholars: I granted you knowledge and forbearance only so that I may forgive you regardless of your deeds; I am indifferent.”
بَاب ثوَاب طلبِ الْعِلْمِ وَتَعْلِيمِهِ لِوَجْهِ اللهِ عَزَّوَجَلَّ
The Reward of Teaching and Learning for Seeking the Pleasure of Allah Almighty
Hadith: 9
وعن صفوان بن عسال المرادي رضی اللہ عنہ قال: أتيت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم – وهو فى المسجد متكئ على برد له أحمر ، فقلت: يارسول الله إني جئت أطلب العلم ، فقال مرحبا بطالب العلم، إن طالب العلم لتحفه الملائكة بأجنحتها ، ثم يركب بعضهم بعضا حتى يبلغوا السماء الدنيا من محبتهم لما يطلب
Ibn Hibban has declared it authentic.
“And Hazrat Safwan bin Assal Muradi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I came to the presence of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who was sitting inside the mosque leaning on a red cloak. I said, O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)! I have come to seek knowledge. He (peace be upon him) said: Blessed is the seeker of knowledge; the angels cover the seeker of knowledge with their wings, and due to the love for seeking knowledge, they form rows ascending to the heavens.”
Hadith: 10
وعن أبى ذر رضی اللہ عنہ قال: قال لي رسول الله صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم : لأن تغدو فتعلم آية من كتاب الله خير لك من أن تصلي مائة ركعة ، ولأن تغدو فتعلم بابا من العلم عمل به أو لم يعمل خير لك من أن تصلي ألف ركعة
Al-Busiri mentioned in Zawaid that in its chain of narration, both Abdullah bin Ziyad and Ali bin Zaid bin Jud’an are weak narrators. However, two supporting narrations are present in Tirmidhi. Allama Dimyati has classified it as Hasan.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Teaching one verse from the Book of Allah in the morning is better than performing one hundred rak’ahs of prayer, and teaching one chapter of knowledge, whether acted upon or not, is better than performing one thousand rak’ahs of prayer.”
Hadith: 11
وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إذا مررتم : برياض الجنة فارتعوا . قالوا: يارسول الله وما رياض الجنة؟ قال: مجالس العلم
This hadith is Hasan based on evidences.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When you pass by the gardens of Paradise, eat and drink from them. The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked, O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)! What are the gardens of Paradise? He replied: The gatherings of knowledge are the gardens of Paradise.”
Hadith: 12
وعن أبى أمامة رضی اللہ عنہ عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من غدا إلى المسجد لا يريد إلا أن يتعلم خيرا أو يعلمه كان له كأجر حاج تاما حجته
Haithami said its narrators are trustworthy.
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever goes to the mosque solely to learn or teach good knowledge, he will be rewarded as if he performed a complete (i.e., perfect in its pillars) Hajj.”
Hadith: 13
وعن أنس رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من خرج فى طلب العلم كان فى سبيل الله حتى يرجع
(Ibn Majah’s narration is) from Abu Huraira; Al-Busiri said in Zawaid that its chain meets the condition of Muslim.
“And it is narrated from Anas رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Whoever sets out in search of knowledge, he is considered to be in the path of Allah until he returns.”
Hadith: 14
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إن مما يلحق المؤمن من عمله وحسناته بعد موته علما علمه ونشره، وولدا صالحا تركه ، ومصحفا ورثه ، أو مسجدا بناه، أو بيتا لابن السبيل بناه، أو نهرا أجراه، أو صدقة أخرجها من ماله فى صحته وحياته يلحقه من بعد موته
Muhaddith Albani has graded it as Hasan.
“And it is narrated from Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Among the deeds of a believer whose reward continues after death are some of these deeds: spreading knowledge, righteous offspring, a copy of the Qur’an left behind as inheritance, building a mosque, a travelers’ inn, digging a canal, and such financial charity which was given while in good health; its reward continues to reach him after death.”
Hadith: 15
وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: إن الله عزوجل اوحى إلى أنه من سلك مسلكا فى طلب العلم سهلت له طريق الجنة ، ومن سلبت كريمتيه أثبته عليهما الجنة ، وفضل فى علم خير من فضل فى عبادة وملاك الدين الورع
“The Mother of the Believers, Lady Aisha Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: Indeed, Allah Almighty has revealed to me that whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, I will make the path to Paradise easy for him, and whoever I deprive of both his eyes, I will grant him Paradise in exchange for them. And an increase in knowledge is better than an increase in worship, and the foundation of religion is scrupulous piety (wara’).”
Hadith: 16
وعن أنس: أن أهل اليمن قدموا على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قالوا: ابعث معنا رجلا يعلمنا السنة والإسلام ، قال: فأخذ بيد أبى عبيدة، قال: هذا أمين هذه الأمة
“And Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Yemeni people came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: Send with us a man who will teach us the Sunnah and Islam. He took the hand of Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: He is the trustworthy one of this Ummah.”
The Abundance of Jurists is a Cause of Good
Hadith: 17
وعن حرام بن حكيم ، عن عمه عبد الله بن سعد ، عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إنكم أصبحتم فى زمان كثير فقهاؤه، قليل خطباؤه، قليل سواله، كثير معطوه، العمل فيه خير من العلم ، وسيأتي زمان قليل فقهاؤه ، كثير خطباؤه، كثير سواله، قليل معطوه، العلم فيه خير من العمل
“Harām bin Hakeem narrates from his uncle Abdullah bin Saad رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: ‘You are in a time when there are many jurists and few preachers, and few questioners and many givers. In this time, action is better than knowledge. But soon a time will come when there will be few jurists and many preachers, many questioners and few givers. In that time, knowledge will be better than action.'”
For what purpose should the Quran be taught?
Hadith: 18
وعن أبى سعيد الخدري ، أنه سمع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: تعلموا القرآن، وسلوا الله به الجنة قبل أن يتعلمه قوم يسألون به الدنيا، فإن القرآن يتعلمه ثلاثة: رجل يباهي به ورجل يستأكل به، ورجل يقرأه لله
“And Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (RA) narrates that he heard the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) say: Learn the Quran and ask Allah for Paradise through it, before there appear people who learn it but ask for worldly gains through it. There are three types of people who learn the Quran: the person who boasts through it, the person who earns his living through it, and the person who recites it for the sake of Allah.”
The example of knowledge that is not spread
Hadith: 19
وعن أبى هريرة ، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: مثل الذى يتعلم العلم ثم لا يحدث به ، كمثل الذى يكنز الكنز فلا ينفق منه
“And Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever acquires knowledge but does not convey it (to others), his example is like a person who accumulates treasure but does not spend from it.”
Learning the Language of Non-Muslims for Acquiring Knowledge
Hadith: 20
وعن خارجة بن زيد، عن أبيه ، قال : لما قدم النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم المدينة ، أتي بى إليه ، فقرأت عليه ، فقال لي: تعلم كتاب يهود، فإنى لا آمنهم على كتابنا قال: فما مر بي خمس عشرة، حتى تعلمته، فكنت أكتب للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أقرأ كتبهم إليه
And Khārijah bin Zaid narrates from his father, who said: When the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, came to Madinah Munawwarah, I was brought to him. I recited some things to him. He, peace be upon him, said to me: Learn the script of the Jews, because I am not satisfied with their letters in my correspondence. Not even fifteen days had passed when I had learned their script. Then I used to write the Prophet’s (letters) and read their letters to him.
How to Educate the Ignorant?
Hadith: 21
وعن عباد بن شرحبيل، قال: أصابتني سنة، فدخلت حائطا من حيطان المدينة ، ففركت سنبلة فأكلت، وحملت فى ثوبي، فجاء صاحبه ، فضربني ، وأخذ ثوبي ، فأتيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال له: ما علمته إذ كان جاهلا ولا أطعمته إذ كان ساغبا أو جائعا ، وأمره ، فرد على ثوبي ، وأعطاني وسقا أو نصف وسق من طعام
“And Hazrat Abbad bin Shurahbil (may Allah be pleased with him) says: I was afflicted by a famine, I entered one of the gardens in Medina, rubbed an ear of grain and took out its grains. I ate some and took some in my cloth. At that moment, the owner of the garden came, beat me, and snatched my cloth. I came (complaining) to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and told him the whole matter. He (peace be upon him) said to the owner of the garden: ‘He was ignorant, you did not teach him, and he was hungry, you did not feed him.’ Then he ordered him, and he returned my cloth to me and gave me one or half a wasq of food as well.”
بَابُ فَضْلِ التَّفَقُّهِ فِي الدِّينِ
The Virtue of Gaining Religious Knowledge
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُوا كَافَّةً ۚ فَلَوْلَا نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ طَائِفَةٌ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ ﴿١٢٢﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“So why does not a group from every sect among them go forth to acquire understanding in the religion, so that when they return to their people, they may warn them, that they might be mindful (fear Allah).”
Hadith: 22
و عن ابن شهاب قال: قال حميد بن عبد الرحمن سمعت معاوية خطيبا يقول: سمعت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: من يرد الله به خيرا يفقهه فى الدين، وإنما أنا قاسم والله يعطى، ولن تزال هذه الأمه قائمة على أمر الله لا يضرهم من خالفهم حتى يأتى أمر الله
“And it is narrated from Ibn Shihab Zuhri that Humayd ibn Abdur-Rahman, may Allah have mercy on him, said: I heard Amir Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, when he was delivering a sermon, say: I heard the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, say: Allah Almighty, when He intends good for a person, grants him understanding of the religion, and I am only the distributor; the Giver is Allah alone. And this Ummah will always remain steadfast upon Allah’s command, and whoever opposes them will not harm them until the Day of Resurrection.”
Hadith: 23
و عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه قال: قيل للنبي صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم : من أكرم الناس؟ قال: أكرمهم أتقاهم قالوا: يا نبي الله ، ليس عن هذا نسألك قال: فأكرم الناس يوسف نبي الله ابن نبي الله ابن نبي الله ابن خليل الله قالوا: ليس عن هذا نسألك قال: فعن معادن العرب تسألوني؟ قالوا: نعم قال: فخياركم فى الجاهلية خياركم فى الإسلام إذا فقهوا
“And Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked, ‘Who is the most honored?’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: ‘The one who is most pious is the most honored.’ The Companions said, ‘O Prophet of Allah! This is not the meaning of our question.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘The most honored was Prophet Yusuf, son of Prophet Yaqub, son of Prophet Ishaq, son of Khalilullah (Ibrahim).’ The Companions said, ‘This is also not the meaning of our question.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Do you want to ask about the family of the Arabs?’ The Companions said, ‘Yes.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Among you, the best in Islam are those who acquire knowledge of the religion.’ And in another narration: ‘Then those who were noble and had good manners and ethics in the time of ignorance will also be considered noble and good after embracing Islam, provided they also acquire understanding of the religion.'”
بَابُ الِاغْتِبَاطِ فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ
The Explanation of Envy in Knowledge and Wisdom
Hadith: 24
وعن عبد الله بن مسعود قال: قال النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : لا حسد إلا فى اثنتين: رجل آتاه الله مالا فسلط على هلكته فى الحق، ورجل آتاه الله الحكمة فهو يقضي بها ويعلمها
“And Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Envy (hasad) is only permissible in two matters: one is for the person whom Allah has given wealth and he has the ability to spend that wealth in the way of truth. And the other is for the person whom Allah has granted wisdom and knowledge, and through it he judges the people and teaches (wisdom).”
بَابٌ فَضْلِ مَنْ تَرَكَ الْجِدَالُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُحِقًا
The Virtue of Those Who Leave Disputes Despite Being Right
Hadith: 25
وعن أبى أمامة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أنا زعيم ببيت فى ربض الجنة لمن ترك المراء وإن كان محقا ، وببيت فى وسط الجنة لمن ترك الكذب وإن كان مازحا ، وببيت فى أعلى الجنة لمن حسن خلقه
“And Sayyiduna Abu Umamah Bahili (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: I guarantee a house on the outskirts of Paradise for the person who, despite being right, abandons quarrels, and I guarantee a house in the middle of Paradise for the person who abandons lying even if it was only in jest, and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Paradise for the person who refines his character.”
بَابُ فَضْلِ مَنْ دَعَا إِلَى اللهِ تَعَالَى
The Virtue of the Scholar Who Calls to Allah
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ﴿٣٣﴾
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, ‘Indeed, I am of the Muslims.'”
وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ ﴿١﴾ خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ ﴿٢﴾ اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ ﴿٣﴾ الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ ﴿٤﴾ عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ ﴿٥﴾
❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“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.”
Hadith: 26
و عن أبى موسى عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم : قال: مثل ما بعثني الله به من الهدى والعلم كمثل الغيث الكثير أصاب أرضا ، فكان منها نقية ، قبلت الماء ، فأنبتت الكلا والعشب الكثير ، وكانت منها أجادب، أمسكت الماء ، فنفع الله بها الناس فشربوا وسقوا وزرعوا، وأصابت منها طائفة أخرى ، إنما هي قيعان لا تمسك ماء ولا تنبت كلا ، فذلك مثل من فقه فى دين الله ونفعه ما بعثني الله به فعلم وعلم ، ومثل من لم يرفع بذلك رأسا ولم يقبل هدى الله الذى أرسلت به
“And Sayyiduna Abu Musa رضي الله عنه narrates from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: The knowledge and guidance with which Allah sent me is like a heavy rain that falls abundantly on the earth. Some of the earth is clean and absorbs the water, producing much greenery and grass. Some of the earth is hard and holds back the water; from this, Allah benefits the people—they drink from it, water others, and cultivate crops. And some parts of the earth receive water but are barren plains; they neither retain water nor produce greenery. This is the example of the person who understands religion and benefits from the thing with which I was sent. He learned and taught the knowledge of religion. And the example of the person who did not raise his head (i.e., did not pay attention) and did not accept the guidance with which I was sent.”
Hadith: 27
وعن سهل بن سعد رضي الله عنه ، أنه سمع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول يوم خيبر لأعطين الراية رجلا يفتح الله على يديه ، فقاموا يرجون لذلك أيهم يعطى ، فغدوا وكلهم يرجو أن يعطى، فقال: أين على ؟ فقيل : يشتكى عينيه فأمر فدعي له فبصق فى عينيه فبرأ مكانه حتى كأنه لم يكن به شيء ، فقال: نقاتلهم حتى يكونوا مثلنا؟ فقال: على رسلك حتى تنزل بساحتهم ثم ادعهم إلى الإسلام ، وأخبرهم بما يجب عليهم ، فوالله لأن يهدى بك رجل واحد خير لك من حمر النعم
“And Sayyidna Sahl bin Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) say during the Battle of Khaybar: I will give the (Islamic) flag to a person through whom Allah will grant victory. Everyone was waiting to see who would receive the flag. When morning came, everyone hoped that he would get it, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Where is Ali? It was said that his eyes were hurting. Eventually, by his command, he was called, and he applied his saliva to his eyes, and he immediately recovered as if he had never had any pain. Then he said: We will fight these (Jews) until they become like us (Muslims), but the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Wait, first go to their land and invite them to Islam and inform them of what is necessary for them (then if they do not accept, fight). By Allah! If even one person is guided through you, it will be better for you than red camels.”
بَابٌ فَضْلِ تَعَلُّمِ الْفَرَائِضِ وَغَيْرِهَا
The Virtue of Learning the Science of Fara’id (Inheritance) and Other Sciences
Hadith: 28
وعن عامر بن واثلة ، أن نافع بن عبد الحارث لقي عمر بعسفان، وكان عمر يستعمله على مكة فقال: من استعملت على أهل الوادي؟ فقال: ابن أبزى؟ قال: ومن ابن أبزى؟ قال: مولى من موالينا قال: فاستخلفت عليهم مولى؟ قال: إنه قارئ لكتاب الله عز وجل وإنه عالم بالفرآئض ، قال عمر : أما إن نبيكم صلى الله عليه وسلم قد قال: إن الله تعالى يرفع بهذا الكتاب أقواما ويضع به آخرين
“And Sayyidna Amir bin Wathilah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Nafi’ bin Abdul Harith (may Allah be pleased with him), who was appointed governor of Makkah Mukarramah by Amir Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), met Amir Umar at a place called Asfan. He asked him, ‘Whom have you appointed as your deputy over the people of the valley (Makkah Mukarramah)?’ He replied, ‘Ibn Abza.’ Amir Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, ‘Who is Ibn Abza?’ He answered, ‘He is one of our slaves.’ Amir Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘You have made a slave your successor over them?’ He replied, ‘He is a reciter and scholar of Allah’s Book and knowledgeable in the obligations of the religion.’ Amir Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘Indeed, your Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Verily, Allah raises some nations because of this Book and lowers others because of it.'”
Hadith: 29
وعن أنس بن مالك قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أرحم أمتي بأمتي أبو بكر، وأشدهم فى أمر الله عمر، وأصدقهم حياء عثمان ، وأقرؤهم لكتاب الله أبى بن كعب ، وأفرضهم زيد بن ثابت، وأعلمهم بالحلال والحرام معاذ بن جبل ، ألا وإن لكل أمة أمينا، وإن أمين هذه الأمة أبو عبيدة بن الجراح
Al-Muhaddith Al-Bani has declared it authentic.
“And Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Among my Ummah, the most kind to my Ummah is Abu Bakr, and in matters of Allah (religious affairs), the strictest among my Ummah is Umar, and the most modest among my Ummah is Uthman, and the greatest reciter and scholar of Allah’s Book among my Ummah is Ubayy ibn Ka’b, and among them, the most knowledgeable in the science of obligations (inheritance knowledge) is Zaid ibn Thabit, and the most knowledgeable in halal and haram is Mu’adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him). Beware, every Ummah has a trustworthy (trustee), and the trustee of this Ummah is Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.”
بَابٌ فَضْلِ مَنْ دَعَا إِلَى هُدًى
The Virtue of the Scholar Who Calls to Guidance
Hadith: 30
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه ، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من دعا إلى هدى ، كان له من الأجر مثل أجور من تبعه ، لا ينقص ذلك من أجورهم شيئا، ومن دعا إلى ضلالة ، كان عليه من الإثم مثل آثام من تبعه، لا ينقص ذلك من آثامهم شيئا
“And Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever invites to guidance will receive the reward equal to that of all the people who follow that guidance, without any decrease in their rewards. And whoever invites to misguidance will bear the sin equal to that of all the people who follow that misguidance, without any decrease in their sins.”
بَابُ فَضْلِ مَنْ تَرَكَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ
The Virtue of a Person Who Leaves Beneficial Knowledge After Him
Hadith: 31
وعن أبى هريرة ، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عنه عمله إلا من ثلاثة إلا من صدقة جارية ، أو علم ينتفع به ، أو ولد صالح يدعو له
“And it is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things whose reward continues to reach him: ongoing charity, knowledge from which benefit is derived, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
بَابُ فَضْلِ تَعْلِيمِ الرَّجُلِ أُمَّتَهُ وَاهْلَهُ
The Virtue of Educating and Training a Slave Girl and Wife
Hadith: 32
و عن أبى موسى رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : ثلاثة لهم أجران رجل من أهل الكتاب آمن بنبيه وآمن بمحمد صلى الله عليه وسلم . والعبد المملوك إذا أدى حق الله وحق مواليه، ورجل كانت عنده أمة فأدبها فأحسن تأديبها وعلمها فأحسن تعليمها ثم أعتقها فتزوجها فله أجران
“And Sayyiduna Abu Musa رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: There are three persons who receive double the reward: one is a person from the People of the Book who believes in his Prophet and also believes in Muhammad, and the second is a slave who fulfills the rights of his master and Allah (both), and the third is a man who has a slave girl, he trains her well and educates her properly, then frees her and marries her, for him too is double the reward.”
بَابُ فَضْلِ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَحَالِ النَّاسِ مِنْ غيرهم
The Virtue of Scholars and the Condition of People Without Them
Hadith: 33
و عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: إن الله لا يقبض العلم انتزاعا ينتزعه من العباد، ولكن يقبض العلم بقبض العلماء حتى إذا لم يبق عالما اتخذ الناس رءوسا جهالا ، فسئلوا فأفتوا بغير علم فضلوا وأضلوا
“And Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr bin Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: Allah will not take away knowledge by snatching it from the servants, but He will take it away by causing the death of the scholars, until when no scholar remains, people will appoint ignorant leaders. They will be questioned, and they will answer without knowledge. Thus, they will themselves go astray and will lead others astray.”
بَابٌ فَضْلِ مُلَازَمَةِ حَلْقِ الْعِلْمِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ
The Virtue of Participating in Scholarly Circles Held in the Mosque
Hadith: 34
وعن أبى واقد الليثي أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بينما هو جالس فى المسجد والناس معه إذ أقبل ثلاثة نفر، فأقبل اثنان إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وذهب واحد قال: فوقفا على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فأما أحدهما فرأى فرجة فى الحلقة فجلس فيها ، وأما الآخر فجلس خلفهم ، وأما الثالث فأدبر ذاهبا . فلما فرغ رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ألا أخبركم عن النفر الثلاثة: أما أحدهم فأوى إلى الله تعالى فآواه الله إليه ، وأما الآخر فاستحيا فاستحيا الله منه ، وأما الآخر فأعرض فأعرض الله عنه
“And Sayyiduna Abu Waqid Laythi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that once the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was present in the mosque, and the companions were sitting around him when three men came there. Two of them reached in front of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and one went back (the narrator says) then those two stood in front of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). After that, when one of them saw some space in the gathering, he sat there, and the other sat behind the people of the gathering, and the third returned. So when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) finished his speech, he said to the companions: Shall I not tell you about the three men? As for one of them, he sought refuge with Allah (a place), so Allah gave him refuge. And the second was shy (to leave the gathering), so Allah was also shy of him (and forgave him). And the third person turned away (without excuse, showing disregard), so Allah also turned away from him in anger.”
بَابٌ ذِكْرِ دُعَاءِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِمَنْ بَلَغَ عَنْهُ حَدِيثًا
Mention of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) prayer for the preacher of Hadith
Hadith: 35
و عن زيد بن ثابت قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: نضر الله امرأ سمع منا حديثا فحفظه حتى يبلغه ، فرب حامل فقه إلى من هو أفقه منه ، ورب حامل فقه ليس بفقيه
Al-Muhaddith Al-Albani has declared it authentic.
“And Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: May Allah keep happy and cheerful the person who hears something from us, then remembers it, until he conveys it to others. Because many people convey religious understanding to others who are more knowledgeable in religious insight than themselves. For many people who possess religious knowledge do not have proper understanding and insight in it.”
بَابُ فَضْلِ الْاعْتِصَامِ بِالسُّنَّةِ وَاتِّبَاعِ نَهْجِ السَّلَفِ الصَّالِحِ
The virtue of firmly holding onto the Sunnah of the Prophet and following the path of the pious predecessors
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive your sins, and Allah is Most Forgiving.”
وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الْآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا ﴿٢١﴾
❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example for whoever hopes in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.”
وَقَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: مَّن يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ
❀ And Allah Almighty has said:
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.”
Hadith : 36
وحدثني عبد الرحمن بن عمرو السلمي وحجر بن حجر :قالا أتينا العرباض بن سارية ، وهو ممن نزل فيه: ولا على الذين إذا ما اتوك لتحملهم قلت لا أجد ما أحملكم عليه فسلمنا ، وقلنا: أتيناك زائرين وعائدين ومقتبسين . فقال العرباض: صلى بنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ذات يوم ، ثم أقبل علينا ، فوعظنا موعظة بليغة ذرفت منها العيون ووجلت منها القلوب، فقال قائل: يا رسول الله كأن هذه موعظة مودع ، فماذا تعهد إلينا؟ قال: أوصيكم بتقوى الله والسمع والطاعة وإن عبد حبشي ، فإنه من يعش منكم بعدى فسيرى اختلافا كثيرا ، فعليكم بسنتي وسنة الخلفاء المهديين الراشدين تمسكوا بها وعضوا عليها بالنواجد ، وإياكم ومحدثات الأمور، فإن كل محدثة بدعة، وكل بدعة ضلالة
Muhaddith Albani has declared it authentic.
“And Abdul Rahman bin Amr al-Sulami and Hujr bin Hujr narrate, we came to Hazrat Irbad bin Sariyah (may Allah be pleased with him), and he is the one about whom this verse of the Quran was revealed. Yes, there is no harm on those who come to you asking for a mount to ride, but you reply that you do not find anything for their mount. So we greeted him and said: We have come to meet you, visit you, and learn knowledge from you. Hazrat Irbad (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) led us in prayer one day, and after the prayer, he turned towards us and gave such an effective admonition that eyes became tearful and hearts trembled (out of fear of Allah). Then someone said, O Messenger of Allah! It seems this admonition is like that of one who is bidding farewell. So what do you advise us? He (peace be upon him) said: I advise you to fear Allah and listen to and obey the leader, even if he is an Abyssinian slave. Then he said: Whoever among you lives after me will see much discord, so hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs, hold fast to the Sunnah firmly, strive hard in following the Sunnah, and protect yourselves from newly invented matters; every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.”
باب ما ذكر فى ذهاب موسى صلى الله عليه وسلم فى البحر إلى الخضر عليه السلام
The account of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) travelling by sea to Khidr (peace be upon him) for the sake of knowledge
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى: وَإِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِفَتَاهُ لَا أَبْرَحُ حَتَّىٰ أَبْلُغَ مَجْمَعَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ أَوْ أَمْضِيَ حُقُبًا ﴿٦٠﴾ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَا مَجْمَعَ بَيْنِهِمَا نَسِيَا حُوتَهُمَا فَاتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ سَرَبًا ﴿٦١﴾ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَا قَالَ لِفَتَاهُ آتِنَا غَدَاءَنَا لَقَدْ لَقِينَا مِن سَفَرِنَا هَٰذَا نَصَبًا ﴿٦٢﴾ قَالَ أَرَأَيْتَ إِذْ أَوَيْنَا إِلَى الصَّخْرَةِ فَإِنِّي نَسِيتُ الْحُوتَ وَمَا أَنسَانِيهُ إِلَّا الشَّيْطَانُ أَنْ أَذْكُرَهُ ۚ وَاتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُ فِي الْبَحْرِ عَجَبًا ﴿٦٣﴾ قَالَ ذَٰلِكَ مَا كُنَّا نَبْغِ ۚ فَارْتَدَّا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمَا قَصَصًا ﴿٦٤﴾ فَوَجَدَا عَبْدًا مِّنْ عِبَادِنَا آتَيْنَاهُ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ مِن لَّدُنَّا عِلْمًا ﴿٦٥﴾ قَالَ لَهُ مُوسَىٰ هَلْ أَتَّبِعُكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُعَلِّمَنِ مِمَّا عُلِّمْتَ رُشْدًا ﴿٦٦﴾ قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا ﴿٦٧﴾ وَكَيْفَ تَصْبِرُ عَلَىٰ مَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِ خُبْرًا ﴿٦٨﴾ قَالَ سَتَجِدُنِي إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ صَابِرًا وَلَا أَعْصِي لَكَ أَمْرًا ﴿٦٩﴾ قَالَ فَإِنِ اتَّبَعْتَنِي فَلَا تَسْأَلْنِي عَن شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ أُحْدِثَ لَكَ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًا ﴿٧٠﴾ فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا رَكِبَا فِي السَّفِينَةِ خَرَقَهَا ۖ قَالَ أَخَرَقْتَهَا لِتُغْرِقَ أَهْلَهَا لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَيْئًا إِمْرًا ﴿٧١﴾ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُلْ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا ﴿٧٢﴾ قَالَ لَا تُؤَاخِذْنِي بِمَا نَسِيتُ وَلَا تُرْهِقْنِي مِنْ أَمْرِي عُسْرًا ﴿٧٣﴾ فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا لَقِيَا غُلَامًا فَقَتَلَهُ قَالَ أَقَتَلْتَ نَفْسًا زَكِيَّةً بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ لَّقَدْ جِئْتَ شَيْئًا نُّكْرًا ﴿٧٤﴾ قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا ﴿٧٥﴾ قَالَ إِن سَأَلْتُكَ عَن شَيْءٍ بَعْدَهَا فَلَا تُصَاحِبْنِي ۖ قَدْ بَلَغْتَ مِن لَّدُنِّي عُذْرًا ﴿٧٦﴾ فَانطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَتَيَا أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ اسْتَطْعَمَا أَهْلَهَا فَأَبَوْا أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارًا يُرِيدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُ ۖ قَالَ لَوْ شِئْتَ لَاتَّخَذْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا ﴿٧٧﴾ قَالَ هَٰذَا فِرَاقُ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنِكَ ۚ سَأُنَبِّئُكَ بِتَأْوِيلِ مَا لَمْ تَسْتَطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا ﴿٧٨﴾ أَمَّا السَّفِينَةُ فَكَانَتْ لِمَسَاكِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ فِي الْبَحْرِ فَأَرَدتُّ أَنْ أَعِيبَهَا وَكَانَ وَرَاءَهُم مَّلِكٌ يَأْخُذُ كُلَّ سَفِينَةٍ غَصْبًا ﴿٧٩﴾ وَأَمَّا الْغُلَامُ فَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ مُؤْمِنَيْنِ فَخَشِينَا أَن يُرْهِقَهُمَا طُغْيَانًا وَكُفْرًا ﴿٨٠﴾ فَأَرَدْنَا أَن يُبْدِلَهُمَا رَبُّهُمَا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُ زَكَاةً وَأَقْرَبَ رُحْمًا ﴿٨١﴾ وَأَمَّا الْجِدَارُ فَكَانَ لِغُلَامَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَكَانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنزٌ لَّهُمَا وَكَانَ أَبُوهُمَا صَالِحًا فَأَرَادَ رَبُّكَ أَن يَبْلُغَا أَشُدَّهُمَا وَيَسْتَخْرِجَا كَنزَهُمَا رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا فَعَلْتُهُ عَنْ أَمْرِي ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَأْوِيلُ مَا لَمْ تَسْطِع عَّلَيْهِ صَبْرًا ﴿٨٢﴾
❀ Allah Almighty said:
“And [mention] when Moses said to his young companion, ‘I will not cease until I reach the junction of the two seas or continue for a long period.’ Then when they reached the junction of the two seas, they forgot their fish, so it took its way into the sea like a tunnel. Then when they both passed on, Moses said to his young companion, ‘Bring us our morning meal; indeed, we have suffered fatigue from this journey.’ He said, ‘Did you see when we rested by the rock? Indeed, I forgot the fish. And none made me forget it except Satan, so it took its course into the sea in a strange way.’ He said, ‘That is what we were seeking.’ So they returned, following their footprints. And they found one of Our servants to whom We had given mercy from Us and had taught him from Us a certain knowledge. Moses said to him, ‘May I follow you on the condition that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgment?’ He said, ‘Indeed, you will never be able to have patience with me. And how can you have patience about something you do not encompass in knowledge?’ Moses said, ‘You will find me, if Allah wills, patient, and I will not disobey you in any order.’ He said, ‘Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I mention it to you myself.’ So they set out until when they boarded the ship, he (Khidr) damaged it. Moses said, ‘Have you damaged it to drown its people? You have certainly done a grave thing.’ He said, ‘Did I not say that you would not be able to have patience with me?’ Moses said, ‘Do not blame me for what I forgot and do not be hard upon me for my matter.’ Then they set out until when they met a boy, he (Khidr) killed him. Moses said, ‘Have you killed a pure soul without cause?’ Indeed, you have done a deplorable thing.’ He said, ‘Did I not tell you that you would not be able to have patience with me?’ Moses said, ‘If I ask you about anything after this, then do not keep me as a companion. You have obtained from me an excuse.’ Then they set out until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so he (Khidr) restored it. Moses said, ‘If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment.’ He said, ‘This is parting between me and you. I will inform you of the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience. As for the ship, it belonged to poor people working at sea, so I intended to damage it as there was after them a king who seized every good ship by force. And as for the boy, his parents were believers, so we feared that he would overburden them by transgression and disbelief. So we intended that their Lord should substitute for them one better than him in purity and nearer to mercy. And as for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city, and beneath it was a treasure for them, and their father had been righteous. So your Lord intended that they reach maturity and extract their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. And I did not do it of my own accord. That is the interpretation of that about which you could not have patience.”
Hadith: 37
وعن ابن عباس أنه تمارى هو والحر بن قيس بن حصن الفزاري فى صاحب موسى : قال ابن عباس: هو خضر ، فمر بهما أبى بن كعب، فدعاه ابن عباس، فقال: إني تماريت أنا وصاحبى هذا فى صاحب موسى الذى سأل موسى السبيل إلى لقيه: هل سمعت النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يذكر شأنه؟ قال: نعم ، سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: بينما موسى فى ملإ من بني إسرائيل ، جاءه رجل ، فقال: هل تعلم أحدا أعلم منك ؟ قال موسى: لا ، فأوحى الله إلى موسى: بلى عبدنا خضر ، فسأل موسى السبيل إليه ، فجعل الله له الحوت آية وقيل له ، إذا فقدت الحوت فارجع فإنك ستلقاه، وكان يتبع أثر الحوت فى البحر ، فقال لموسى فتاه أرأيت إذ أوينا إلى الصخرة فإني نسيت الحوت و ما انسنيه إلا الشيطن ان اذكره قال ذلك ما كنا نبغي فارتدا على أثارهما قصصا فوجدا خضرا فكان من شأنهما الذى قص الله عز وجل فى كتابه
“And it is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he had a discussion with Hurr ibn Qais ibn Hisn al-Fazari regarding the companion of Sayyiduna Musa (Moses) (peace be upon him). Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas said that he was Khidr (peace be upon him). At that moment, Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by, so Ibn Abbas called him and said, ‘This companion of mine and I are discussing the companion of Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) with whom he intended to meet. Have you heard the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) say anything about him?’ Sayyiduna Ubayy bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) replied, ‘Yes! I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: One day Musa (Moses) was sitting among a group of Bani Israel when a man came and asked, “Do you know anyone in this world who is more knowledgeable than you?” Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) said, “No.” Then Allah revealed to Musa (peace be upon him) that indeed Our servant Khidr has knowledge greater than yours. Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) asked Allah how he could meet Khidr (peace be upon him). Allah designated a fish as the sign for meeting him and told him that when the fish disappears from his possession, he should return there, and then he would meet Khidr (peace be upon him). Accordingly, Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) searched for the sign of the fish in the river. At that time, his companion said, “Did you notice when we rested by leaning on a stone, I forgot the fish there? Indeed, Satan made me forget to mention this to you.” Sayyiduna Musa (peace be upon him) said, “That is the very place we were looking for.” Then they returned, following their footprints, and there they found Sayyiduna Khidr (peace be upon him). Then the story is as Allah has narrated in His Book, the Holy Quran.”
Prayers for Seeking Knowledge
قَالَ الله تَعَالَى: وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
❀ Allah Almighty has said:
“Say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'”
Hadith: 38
وعن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه قال كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول : اللهم انفعنى بما علمتني وعلمني ما ينفعني ، وزدني علما
Imam Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared it authentic.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to supplicate:
اَللَّهُمَّ انْفَعَنِى بِمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي وَعَلِمْنِى مَا يَنْفَعُنِي، وَزِدْنِي عِلْمًا
“O Allah! Make what You have taught me beneficial for me, and grant me knowledge that benefits me, and increase me in knowledge.”
Hadith: 39
عن زيد بن أرقم رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: اللهم انى اعوذبك من علم لا ينفع ، ومن قلب لا يخشع، ومن نفس لا تشبع، ومن دعوة لا يستجاب لها
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Zaid bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say:
اللَّهُمَّ اِنّى اَعُوْذُبِكَ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لا يَنْفَعُ، وَمِنْ قَلْبِ لا يَخْشَعُ، وَمِنْ نَفْسٍ لَا تَشْبَعُ، وَمِنْ دَعَوَةٍ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهَا
“O Allah! I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that does not fear, from a soul that is not satisfied, and from a supplication that is not accepted.”
Hadith: 40
وعن ابن عباس أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم دخل الخلاء، فوضعت له وضوءا، قال: من وضع هذا؟ فأخبر فقال: اللهم فقهه فى الدين
“And it is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that (when he was informed that I had placed water for his purification) the Noble Prophet, the Intercessor of the Day of Judgment, peace be upon him, prayed for him: اَللَّهُمَّ فَقَهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ O Allah! Grant him understanding of the religion.”
Benefit: Therefore, one should pray: اللَّهُمَّ فَقِهْنِي فِي الدِّينِ “O Allah! Grant me understanding of the religion.”
وصلى الله تعالى على خير خلقه محمد وآله وصحبه أجمعين
