2- How much knowledge of religion is obligatory to acquire?
According to Shariah and creed, it is the responsibility of a Muslim to know all matters related to religion. It is obligatory upon every Muslim to have a good understanding of religious matters. They should be aware of what is in accordance with and against the creed, all matters that complete or harm the belief, so that they may attain a correct and sound belief. It is also obligatory that they know the practical rulings of the religion, so that they may perform the commands imposed by Allah Almighty with insight and, based on that insight, avoid what Allah has forbidden. Allah Almighty says:
فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ
“So know that there is no deity except Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin and for the believing men and believing women.”
In this noble verse, Allah Almighty mentions knowledge before speech and action; therefore, knowledge and action are mutually necessary. Knowledge without action is of no benefit but rather a calamity, and it will be a proof and argument against a person (on the Day of Judgment). Similarly, action without knowledge is also not correct because it is ignorance. Allah Almighty has commanded us to seek refuge in every unit of prayer from the path of those who have earned Allah’s anger and those who have gone astray.
