Book of Knowledge

1 ذكر إثبات النصرة لأصحاب الحديث إلى قيام الساعة-

Affirmation of support for the people of hadith until the Day of Judgment.

1 hadith (61 — 61)

2 ذكر الإخبار عن سماع المسلمين السنن خلف عن سلف-

Report about Muslims transmitting the Sunnah generation after generation.

1 hadith (62 — 62)

3 ذكر الإخبار عما يستحب للمرء كثرة سماع العلم ثم الاقتفاء والتسليم-

Recommendation to frequently listen to knowledge and then follow and accept it.

1 hadith (63 — 63)

4 باب الزجر عن كتبة المرء السنن مخافة أن يتكل عليها دون الحفظ لها-

Warning against writing down the Sunnah out of fear of relying on it instead of memorization.

2 hadith (64 — 65)

5 ذكر دعاء المصطفى صلى الله عليه وسلم لمن أدى من أمته حديثا سمعه-

The Prophet’s supplication for those who convey his hadith.

1 hadith (66 — 66)

6 ذكر رحمة الله جل وعلا من بلغ أمة المصطفى صلى الله عليه وسلم حديثا صحيحا عنه-

Allah’s mercy for those who convey authentic hadith to the Prophet’s nation.

1 hadith (67 — 67)

7 ذكر البيان بأن هذا الفضل إنما يكون لمن أدى ما وصفنا كما سمعه سواء من غير تغيير ولا تبديل فيه-

Clarification that this virtue is for those who convey hadith exactly as heard, without alteration.

1 hadith (68 — 68)

8 ذكر إثبات نضارة الوجه في القيامة من بلغ للمصطفى صلى الله عليه وسلم سنة صحيحة كما سمعها-

Affirmation of radiant faces on the Day of Judgment for those who convey the Prophet’s Sunnah as heard.

1 hadith (69 — 69)

9 ذكر عدد الأشياء التي استأثر الله تعالى بعلمها دون خلقه-

Number of things Allah has kept knowledge of to Himself.

1 hadith (70 — 70)

10 ذكر خبر ثان يصرح بصحة ما ذكرناه-

Second narration confirming the previous point.

1 hadith (71 — 71)

11 ذكر الزجر عن العلم بأمر الدنيا مع الانهماك فيها والجهل بأمر الآخرة ومجانبة أسبابها-

Warning against seeking worldly knowledge while neglecting the hereafter.

1 hadith (72 — 72)

12 ذكر الزجر عن تتبع المتشابه من القرآن للمرء المسلم-

Warning against pursuing ambiguous verses of the Quran.

2 hadith (73 — 74)

13 ذكر العلة التي من أجلها قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وما جهلتم منه فردوه إلى عالمه-

Reason the Prophet said, "If you do not know, refer it to its scholar."

1 hadith (75 — 75)

14 ذكر الزجر عن مجادلة الناس في كتاب الله مع الأمر بمجانبة من يفعل ذلك-

Warning against arguing about the Book of Allah and the command to avoid such people.

1 hadith (76 — 76)

15 ذكر وصف العلم الذي يتوقع دخول النار في القيامة لمن طلبه-

Description of knowledge that may lead to Hellfire for those who seek it.

3 hadith (77 — 79)

16 ذكر الزجر عن مجالسة أهل الكلام والقدر ومفاتحتهم بالنظر والجدال-

Warning against sitting with and debating people of speculative theology and predestination.

1 hadith (80 — 80)

17 ذكر ما كان يتخوف صلى الله عليه وسلم على أمته جدال المنافق-

The Prophet’s fear for his nation of the arguments of hypocrites.

1 hadith (81 — 81)

18 ذكر ما يجب على المرء أن يسأل الله جل وعلا العلم النافع رزقنا الله إياه وكل مسلم-

Obligation to ask Allah for beneficial knowledge.

1 hadith (82 — 82)

19 ذكر ما يستحب للمرء أن يقرن إلى ما ذكرنا في التعوذ منها أشياء معلومة-

Recommendation to add certain known supplications when seeking refuge from harmful knowledge.

1 hadith (83 — 83)

20 ذكر تسهيل الله جل وعلا طريق الجنة على من يسلك في الدنيا طريقا يطلب فيه علما-

Allah’s facilitation of the path to Paradise for those who seek knowledge.

1 hadith (84 — 84)

21 ذكر بسط الملائكة أجنحتها لطلبة العلم رضا بصنيعهم ذلك-

Angels spreading their wings for seekers of knowledge in approval of their pursuit.

1 hadith (85 — 85)

22 ذكر أمان الله جل وعلا من النار من أوى إلى مجلس علم ونيته فيه صحيحة-

Allah’s protection from Hellfire for those who attend gatherings of knowledge with sincere intention.

1 hadith (86 — 86)

23 ذكر التسوية بين طالب العلم ومعلمه وبين المجاهد في سبيل الله-

On the equality between the seeker of knowledge and his teacher and the one who strives in the path of Allah

1 hadith (87 — 87)

24 ذكر وصف العلماء الذين لهم الفضل الذي ذكرنا قبل-

Description of the scholars who possess the virtue previously mentioned

1 hadith (88 — 88)

25 ذكر إرادة الله جل وعلا خير الدارين بمن تفقه في الدين-

God’s will for the best of both worlds for those who understand religion

1 hadith (89 — 89)

26 ذكر إباحة الحسد لمن أوتي الحكمة وعلمها الناس-

Permissibility of envy towards those granted wisdom and who teach it to others

1 hadith (90 — 90)

27 ذكر البيان بأن من خيار الناس من حسن خلقه في فقهه-

Clarification that among the best people are those with good character and understanding

1 hadith (91 — 91)

28 ذكر البيان بأن خيار المشركين هم الخيار في الإسلام إذا فقهوا-

Clarification that the best among the polytheists become the best in Islam if they gain understanding

1 hadith (92 — 92)

29 ذكر البيان بأن العلم من خير ما يخلف المرء بعده-

Clarification that knowledge is among the best legacies a person leaves behind

1 hadith (93 — 93)

30 ذكر الأمر بإقالة زلات أهل العلم والدين-

Command to pardon the slips of scholars and religious people

1 hadith (94 — 94)

31 ذكر إيجاب العقوبة في القيامة على الكاتم العلم الذي يحتاج إليه في أمور المسلمين-

Obligation of punishment on the Day of Judgment for concealing needed knowledge

1 hadith (95 — 95)

32 ذكر خبر ثان يصرح بصحة ما ذكرناه

Another narration confirming what we have mentioned

1 hadith (96 — 96)

33 ذكر الخبر الدال على إباحة كتمان العالم بعض ما يعلم من العلم إذا علم أن قلوب المستمعين له لا تحتمله-

Evidence that a scholar may conceal some knowledge if listeners cannot bear it

1 hadith (97 — 97)

34 ذكر البيان بأن الأعمش لم يكن بالمنفرد في سماع هذا الخبر من عبد الله بن مرة دون غيره-

Clarification that Al-A’mash was not the only one to hear this narration from Abdullah bin Murrah

1 hadith (98 — 98)

35 ذكر خبر ثان يصرح بصحة ما ذكرناه

Another narration confirming what we have mentioned

1 hadith (99 — 99)

36 ذكر ما يستحب للمرء من ترك سرد الأحاديث حذر قلة التعظيم والتوقير لها-

Recommendation to avoid narrating many hadiths out of fear of diminishing their reverence

1 hadith (100 — 100)

37 ذكر الإخبار عن إباحة جواب المرء بالكناية عما يسأل وإن كان في تلك الحالة مدحه-

Permissibility of answering with indirect speech, even if it includes self-praise

1 hadith (101 — 101)

38 ذكر الخبر الدال على أن العالم عليه ترك التصلف بعلمه ولزوم الافتقار إلى الله جل وعلا في كل حاله-

Evidence that a scholar should avoid arrogance and always feel need for Allah

1 hadith (102 — 102)

39 ذكر الخبر الدال على إباحة إجابة العالم السائل بالأجوبة على سبيل التشبيه والمقايسة دون الفصل في القصة-

Permissibility for a scholar to answer with analogies and comparisons rather than definitive answers

1 hadith (103 — 103)

40 ذكر الخبر الدال على إباحة إعفاء المسؤول عن العلم عن إجابة السائل على الفور-

Permissibility for a scholar to delay answering a question immediately

1 hadith (104 — 104)

41 ذكر الإباحة للعالم إذا سئل عن الشيء أن يغضي عن الإجابة مدة ثم يجيب ابتداء منه-

Permissibility for a scholar to refrain from answering for a while, then respond later

1 hadith (105 — 105)

42 ذكر الخبر الدال على إباحة إلقاء العالم على تلاميذه المسائل التي يريد أن يعلمهم إياها-

Evidence that a scholar may pose questions to students to teach them

1 hadith (106 — 106)

43 ذكر الخبر الدال على أن المصطفى صلى الله عليه وسلم قد كان يعرض له الأحوال في بعض الأحايين-

Evidence that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sometimes experienced certain states

1 hadith (107 — 107)

44 ذكر الخبر الدال على إباحة اعتراض المتعلم على العالم فيما يعلمه من العلم-

Permissibility for a student to question the scholar about what he knows

1 hadith (108 — 108)

45 ذكر الإباحة للمرء أن يسأل عن الشيء وهو خبير به من غير أن يكون ذاك به استهزاء-

Permissibility to ask about something one already knows, without mockery

1 hadith (109 — 109)

46 ذكر الإخبار عما يجب على المرء من ترك التكلف في دين الله بما تنكب عنه وأغضي عن إبدائه-

Clarification on avoiding unnecessary complexity in religious matters

1 hadith (110 — 110)

47 ذكر الخبر الدال على إباحة إظهار المرء بعض ما يحسن من العلم إذا صحت نيته في إظهاره-

Evidence that it is permissible to display some knowledge if the intention is sincere

1 hadith (111 — 111)

48 ذكر الحكم فيمن دعا إلى هدى أو ضلالة فاتبع عليه-

Ruling on one who calls to guidance or misguidance and is followed

1 hadith (112 — 112)

49 ذكر البيان بأن على العالم أن لا يقنط عباد الله عن رحمة الله-

Clarification that a scholar should not make people despair of Allah’s mercy

1 hadith (113 — 113)

50 ذكر إباحة تأليف العالم كتب الله جل وعلا-

Permissibility for a scholar to compile the books of Allah

1 hadith (114 — 114)

51 ذكر الحث على تعليم كتاب الله وإن لم يتعلم الإنسان بالتمام-

Encouragement to teach the Book of Allah even if one has not mastered it completely

2 hadith (115 — 116)

52 ذكر الإخبار عما يجب على المرء من تعلم كتاب الله جل وعلا واتباع ما فيه عند وقوع الفتن خاصة-

Obligation to learn the Book of Allah and follow it, especially during tribulations

1 hadith (117 — 117)

53 ذكر البيان بأن من خير الناس من تعلم القرآن وعلمه-

Clarification that the best people are those who learn and teach the Quran

1 hadith (118 — 118)

54 ذكر الأمر باقتناء القرآن مع تعليمه-

Command to acquire the Quran and teach it

1 hadith (119 — 119)

55 ذكر الزجر عن أن لا يستغني المرء بما أوتي من كتاب الله جل وعلا-

Warning against thinking one is self-sufficient with what one has from the Book of Allah

1 hadith (120 — 120)

56 ذكر وصف من أعطي القرآن والإيمان أو أعطي أحدهما دون الآخر-

Description of those given the Quran and faith, or one without the other

1 hadith (121 — 121)

57 ذكر نفي الضلال عن الآخذ بالقرآن-

Denial of misguidance for those who hold fast to the Quran

1 hadith (122 — 122)

58 ذكر إثبات الهدى لمن اتبع القرآن والضلالة لمن تركه-

Affirmation of guidance for those who follow the Quran and misguidance for those who abandon it

1 hadith (123 — 123)

59 ذكر البيان بأن القرآن من جعله إمامه بالعمل قاده إلى الجنة ومن جعله وراء ظهره بترك العمل ساقه إلى النار-

Clarification that the Quran leads those who follow it to Paradise and those who neglect it to Hell

1 hadith (124 — 124)

60 ذكر إباحة الحسد لمن أوتي كتاب الله تعالى فقام به آناء الليل والنهار-

Permissibility of envy towards those given the Book of Allah and who recite it day and night

1 hadith (125 — 125)

61 ذكر البيان بأن قوله صلى الله عليه وسلم فهو ينفق منه آناء الليل وآناء النهار أراد به فهو يتصدق به-

Clarification that “he spends from it day and night” means he gives charity from it

1 hadith (126 — 126)

62 ذكر الخبر المدحض قول من زعم أن الخلفاء الراشدين والكبار من الصحابة غير جائز أن يخفى عليهم بعض أحكام الوضوء والصلاة-

Narration refuting the claim that the rightly guided caliphs and senior companions could not have missed some rulings on ablution and prayer

1 hadith (127 — 127)

Ibn Hibban

Affirmation of support for the people of hadith until the Day of Judgment.

Report about Muslims transmitting the Sunnah generation after generation.

Recommendation to frequently listen to knowledge and then follow and accept it.

Warning against writing down the Sunnah out of fear of relying on it instead of memorization.

The Prophet’s supplication for those who convey his hadith.

Allah’s mercy for those who convey authentic hadith to the Prophet’s nation.

Clarification that this virtue is for those who convey hadith exactly as heard, without alteration.

Affirmation of radiant faces on the Day of Judgment for those who convey the Prophet’s Sunnah as heard.

Number of things Allah has kept knowledge of to Himself.

Second narration confirming the previous point.

Warning against seeking worldly knowledge while neglecting the hereafter.

Warning against pursuing ambiguous verses of the Quran.

Reason the Prophet said, "If you do not know, refer it to its scholar."

Warning against arguing about the Book of Allah and the command to avoid such people.

Description of knowledge that may lead to Hellfire for those who seek it.

Warning against sitting with and debating people of speculative theology and predestination.

The Prophet’s fear for his nation of the arguments of hypocrites.

Obligation to ask Allah for beneficial knowledge.

Recommendation to add certain known supplications when seeking refuge from harmful knowledge.

Allah’s facilitation of the path to Paradise for those who seek knowledge.

Angels spreading their wings for seekers of knowledge in approval of their pursuit.

Allah’s protection from Hellfire for those who attend gatherings of knowledge with sincere intention.

On the equality between the seeker of knowledge and his teacher and the one who strives in the path of Allah

Description of the scholars who possess the virtue previously mentioned

God’s will for the best of both worlds for those who understand religion

Permissibility of envy towards those granted wisdom and who teach it to others

Clarification that among the best people are those with good character and understanding

Clarification that the best among the polytheists become the best in Islam if they gain understanding

Clarification that knowledge is among the best legacies a person leaves behind

Command to pardon the slips of scholars and religious people

Obligation of punishment on the Day of Judgment for concealing needed knowledge

Another narration confirming what we have mentioned

Evidence that a scholar may conceal some knowledge if listeners cannot bear it

Clarification that Al-A’mash was not the only one to hear this narration from Abdullah bin Murrah

Another narration confirming what we have mentioned

Recommendation to avoid narrating many hadiths out of fear of diminishing their reverence

Permissibility of answering with indirect speech, even if it includes self-praise

Evidence that a scholar should avoid arrogance and always feel need for Allah

Permissibility for a scholar to answer with analogies and comparisons rather than definitive answers

Permissibility for a scholar to delay answering a question immediately

Permissibility for a scholar to refrain from answering for a while, then respond later

Evidence that a scholar may pose questions to students to teach them

Evidence that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sometimes experienced certain states

Permissibility for a student to question the scholar about what he knows

Permissibility to ask about something one already knows, without mockery

Clarification on avoiding unnecessary complexity in religious matters

Evidence that it is permissible to display some knowledge if the intention is sincere

Ruling on one who calls to guidance or misguidance and is followed

Clarification that a scholar should not make people despair of Allah’s mercy

Permissibility for a scholar to compile the books of Allah

Encouragement to teach the Book of Allah even if one has not mastered it completely

Obligation to learn the Book of Allah and follow it, especially during tribulations

Clarification that the best people are those who learn and teach the Quran

Command to acquire the Quran and teach it

Warning against thinking one is self-sufficient with what one has from the Book of Allah

Description of those given the Quran and faith, or one without the other

Denial of misguidance for those who hold fast to the Quran

Affirmation of guidance for those who follow the Quran and misguidance for those who abandon it

Clarification that the Quran leads those who follow it to Paradise and those who neglect it to Hell

Permissibility of envy towards those given the Book of Allah and who recite it day and night

Clarification that “he spends from it day and night” means he gives charity from it

Narration refuting the claim that the rightly guided caliphs and senior companions could not have missed some rulings on ablution and prayer

All Hadith in This Chapter