✍ Written by: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
Opening Sermon
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 محمداً عبده ورسوله. أما بعد:All praise is due to Allah, we praise Him and seek His help. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide; and whomsoever He allows to go astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and messenger. To proceed:
❖ Students Must Preach to the Extent of Their Capability
Qur’anic Verse
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﴾
(Surah al-Tawbah, 9:122)
❀ Allah Almighty said:
"It is not for the believers to go forth all at once. But why not a group from every section go forth to gain understanding in religion and to warn their people when they return to them, so that they may be cautious?"
Hadith ①
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو رضي الله عنهما، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: بَلِّغُوا عَنِّي وَلَوْ آيَةً...(صحيح البخاري، رقم: 3461)
❀ Abdullah ibn Amr رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Convey from me, even if it is one verse. You may narrate from the Children of Israel without any harm. But whoever intentionally lies about me, let him take his seat in the Hellfire."
❖ Understanding Religion is a Divine Favor
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:﴿يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا ۗ وَمَا يَذَّكَّرُ إِلَّا أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ﴾
(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:269)
❀ Allah Almighty said:
"He grants wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever is granted wisdom has truly been given abundant good. And none remember except those of understanding."
Hadith ②
عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: مَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ...(صحيح البخاري، رقم: 71؛ صحيح مسلم: 1037)
❀ Mu'awiyah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Whomever Allah intends good for, He gives him understanding of the religion. I only distribute (knowledge), and it is Allah who grants (understanding).”
❖ Envy is Allowed Only for Two Types of People
Hadith ③
عَنْ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: لاَ حَسَدَ إِلَّا فِي اثْنَتَيْنِ...(صحيح البخاري، رقم: 73؛ صحيح مسلم: 816)
❀ Ibn Mas'ud رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Envy is not permitted except in two cases: a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the cause of truth; and a man whom Allah has given wisdom and he judges and teaches with it."
❖ Make Beneficial Use of Knowledge
Hadith ④
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: إِذَا مَاتَ الإِنسَانُ انْقَطَعَ عَنْهُ عَمَلُهُ إِلَّا مِنْ ثَلاَثَةٍ...(صحيح مسلم، رقم: 1631)
❀ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported:
"When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: ➊ a continuous charity, ➋ knowledge that is benefited from, or ➌ a righteous child who prays for him."
❖ The Virtue of Traveling for Knowledge
Hadith ⑤
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً...(صحيح مسلم، رقم: 2699)
❀ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Whoever relieves a believer from one of the hardships of this world, Allah will relieve him from a hardship of the Day of Judgment... And whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise..."
❖ The Student of Knowledge Must Be Sincere
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:﴿قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ﴾
(Surah al-Zumar, 39:11)
❀ Allah Almighty said:
"Say, I have been commanded to worship Allah, dedicating the religion sincerely to Him."
Hadith ⑥
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ...(صحيح مسلم، رقم: 1905)
❀ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported:
"The first three people to be judged on the Day of Judgment will be: a martyr, a scholar who taught and recited the Qur’an, and a wealthy man who gave in charity — but all for the sake of fame. They will be dragged on their faces and thrown into Hell."
❖ Avoid Giving Fatwa Without Knowledge
Hadith ⑦
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو رضي الله عنهما، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ...(صحيح البخاري، رقم: 100؛ صحيح مسلم: 2673)
❀ Abdullah ibn Amr رضي الله عنهما reported:
"Allah does not remove knowledge by snatching it from the hearts of the people, but He takes it away by taking the souls of the scholars. When no scholars remain, people will take ignorant ones as leaders, who will give fatwas without knowledge, thus they will go astray and lead others astray."
❖ Be Gentle in Preaching
Hadith ⑧
عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، قَالَ: كَانَ عَبْدُ اللهِ يَذْكُرُ النَّاسَ فِي كُلِّ خَمِيسٍ...(صحيح البخاري، رقم: 68؛ صحيح مسلم: 2821)
❀ Shaqīq reported:
"Abdullah ibn Mas'ud used to deliver sermons every Thursday. A man said, 'I wish you would preach to us daily.' He replied, 'What prevents me is that I dislike boring you. I observe your condition in preaching just as the Prophet ﷺ used to do for us, fearing our boredom.'"
❖ The Reward of Guiding Others to Good
Hadith ⑨
عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ رضي الله عنه...(صحيح مسلم، رقم: 1893)
❀ Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari رضي الله عنه narrated:
"A man came to the Prophet ﷺ asking for help with transportation. The Prophet said, 'I have nothing to provide you.' A man nearby said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I will guide him to someone who can help.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Whoever guides to good will have a reward equal to the doer of that good.'"
❖ Even Ants and Fish Pray for the Student of Knowledge
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:﴿الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهُ...﴾
(Surah Ghafir, 40:7-9)
❀ Allah Almighty said:
"Those who carry the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord with praise, believe in Him, and ask forgiveness for those who believe: 'Our Lord! You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent and follow Your path, and save them from the punishment of Hell…'"
Hadith ⑩
عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيِّ رضي الله عنه...(سنن الترمذي، رقم: 2685؛ صححه الألباني)
❀ Abu Umamah al-Bahili رضي الله عنه reported:
"The superiority of a scholar over a worshipper is like the superiority of the Prophet ﷺ over the least among you. Verily, Allah, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth — even the ant in its hole and the fish — send blessings upon the one who teaches people goodness."
❖ Concealing Knowledge is a Grave Sin
Hadith ⑪
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: مَنْ سُئِلَ عَنْ عِلْمٍ فَكَتَمَهُ...(مسند أحمد، رقم: 7561؛ سنن أبو داود، رقم: 3658؛ الترمذي، رقم: 2649؛ ابن ماجه، رقم: 261 – وصححه الألباني)
❀ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported:
"Whoever is asked about knowledge and withholds it, he will be bridled with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection."
❖ Seeking Knowledge for Allah’s Pleasure — Not for Worldly Gain
Hadith ⑫
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ عِلْمًا يُبْتَغَى بِهِ وَجْهُ اللهِ...(مسند أحمد، رقم: 8438؛ أبو داود، رقم: 3664؛ ابن ماجه، رقم: 252 – وصححه الألباني)
❀ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"Whoever acquires knowledge that should be sought for the sake of Allah’s pleasure, but he learns it only to gain worldly benefits, will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Judgment."
❖ The Blessed Face of the One Who Spreads Prophetic Teachings
Hadith ⑬
وَعَنْ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: نَضَّرَ اللهُ عَبْدًا سَمِعَ مَقَالَتِي فَحَفِظَهَا وَوَعَاهَا وَأَدَّاهَا...(مختصر المزني، ص: 423؛ شعب الإيمان: 1738؛ سنن الترمذي: 2658؛ مسند أحمد: 1/436؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 404)
❀ Ibn Mas'ūd رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"May Allah brighten the face of the one who hears my words, memorizes them, comprehends them, and conveys them. Perhaps the one carrying knowledge may not understand it himself, and perhaps he conveys it to one more understanding than himself. There are three traits upon which the heart of a Muslim will not betray: sincerity in action for Allah, giving sincere advice to the Muslims, and adhering to their group—for their collective call surrounds them (with protection).”
❖ Speak Only with Knowledge — Say "Allah Knows Best" When Ignorant
Hadith ⑭
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، مَنْ عَلِمَ شَيْئًا فَلْيَقُلْ بِهِ...(صحيح البخاري، رقم: 4809؛ صحيح مسلم: 2798)
❀ Abdullah ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه said:
"O people! Whoever knows something, let him speak accordingly. And whoever does not know, let him say: 'Allah knows best,' for saying 'Allah knows best' about what one does not know is also part of knowledge. Allah said to His Prophet ﷺ:
﴿قُلْ مَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُتَكَلِّفِينَ﴾
Say: I do not ask you for any reward for it, and I am not one of those who fabricate (Surah Ṣād, 38:86)."
❖ Students Should Teach Qur’an and Sunnah
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:﴿قُلْ هَٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ﴾
(Surah Yūsuf, 12:108)
❀ Allah Almighty said:
"Say: This is my path, I call to Allah with clear insight — I and those who follow me. And glorified is Allah, and I am not among the polytheists."
Hadith ⑮
عَنْ أَنَسٍ رضي الله عنه...(صحيح مسلم: 1297؛ مستدرك الحاكم: 3/267؛ مسند أحمد: 3/125؛ مسند أبي يعلى: 2/831؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 1964)
❀ Anas رضي الله عنه narrated:
"Some people from Yemen came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘Send with us someone who can teach us Sunnah and Islam.’ The Prophet ﷺ took the hand of Abu ʿUbaydah رضي الله عنه and said: 'This is the trustworthy one of this Ummah.'"
❖ Knowledge Requires Action
Hadith ⑯
عَنْ عَبَّاسٍ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ...(مسند أبي يعلى: 12/56/6698؛ مسند البزار: 1/99/174؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 3230)
❀ Al-ʿAbbās ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib رضي الله عنه narrated:
"This religion will spread until it crosses the seas, and horses will be engaged in Allah’s path therein. Then people will come who will recite the Qur'an and say: 'We have recited the Qur'an — who is more learned than us?' Then the Prophet ﷺ turned to his companions and asked, 'Do you see any good in such people?' They said, 'No.' He replied: 'They are from among you, from this Ummah, and they will be the fuel of the Hellfire.'"
❖ Speak with Knowledge and Evidence — Beware of Hypocrites
Hadith ⑰
عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ النَّهْدِي...(مسند أحمد: 1/22,44؛ الإبانة لابن بطة: 2/48/5؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 1013)
❀ Abū ʿUthmān al-Nahdī said:
"I was with ʿUmar رضي الله عنه while he was delivering a sermon. He said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'What I fear most for my Ummah is a hypocrite with a clever tongue.'"
❖ Adhere to the Way of the Prophet ﷺ and Rightly Guided Caliphs
Hadith ⑱
عَنْ الْعِرْبَاضِ بْنِ سَارِيَةَ رضي الله عنه...(سنن ابن ماجه، رقم: 43؛ مستدرك الحاكم: 1/96؛ مسند أحمد: 4/126؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 937)
❀ Al-ʿIrbāḍ ibn Sāriyah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"The Prophet ﷺ gave us an admonition that made our eyes weep and hearts tremble. We said: 'O Messenger of Allah! This seems like a farewell sermon; so what do you advise us?' He said: 'I have left you upon clarity — its night is like its day. No one deviates from it except one who is doomed. Whoever among you lives after me will see much disagreement. So adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Cling to it with your molar teeth. Obey (the leader), even if he is an Abyssinian slave. Verily, the believer is like a tethered camel — wherever he is led, he follows.'"
❖ Warn People Against Innovations (Bidʿah)
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا...﴾
(Surah al-Taḥrīm, 66:6)
❀ Allah Almighty said:
"O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are appointed angels — harsh and severe — who do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and do what they are commanded."
Hadith ⑲
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه مرفوعاً...(صحيح مسلم: 1/150؛ مسند أحمد: 2/300, 408؛ صحيح البخاري: 2367؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 3952)
❀ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated:
"My Ummah will come to me at the Ḥawḍ (the Prophet’s basin). I will drive away people from it, just as a man drives away the camels of others from his own camels. The companions said: 'O Messenger of Allah, will you recognize us?' He said: 'Yes, you will come to me with bright foreheads and limbs from the traces of wudu (ablution). But some people will be prevented from reaching me. I will say, "O Lord, these are my companions!" It will be said to me, "Do you not know what they innovated after you?"’”
❖ Avoid Storytelling Without Basis — It Led to the Destruction of Banu Israel
Hadith ⑳
عَنْ خَبَّابٍ رضي الله عنه، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: إِنَّ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَمَّا هَلَكُوا قَصُّوا(المعجم الكبير: 3705؛ حلية الأولياء: 4/362؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 1681)
❀ Khabbāb رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"When the Children of Israel were destroyed, it was because they indulged in storytelling (without truth or substance).”
❖ Do Not Conceal Knowledge
Hadith ㉑
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه...(المعجم الأوسط للطبراني: 1/213/689؛ جامع بيان العلم: 1/122؛ سنن الدارمي: 1/134؛ مسند أحمد: 2/499؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 3479)
❀ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The example of one who acquires knowledge but does not convey it is like someone who hoards treasure but does not spend from it."
❖ Spread Islam in All Languages
Hadith ㉒
عَنْ خَارِجَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ...(سنن أبي داود: 3645؛ سنن الترمذي: 2/119؛ مستدرك الحاكم: 1/75؛ مسند أحمد: 5/186؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 187)
❀ Khārijah ibn Zayd narrated from his father:
"When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah, I was brought to him. I recited something to him, and he said to me: 'Learn the script of the Jews, for I do not trust them regarding our letters.' Before fifteen days passed, I had learned their script. I used to write letters for the Prophet ﷺ and read their letters to him."
❖ The Prophet ﷺ Welcomed Students of Knowledge
Hadith ㉓
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ رضي الله عنه...(المعجم الكبير للطبراني: 8/64/7347؛ الكامل لابن عدي: 6/331؛ جامع بيان العلم: 1/32؛ مسند أحمد: 4/239؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 3397)
❀ ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه narrated from Ṣafwān ibn ʿAssāl al-Murādī رضي الله عنه:
"I came to the Prophet ﷺ while he was reclining on a red cloak in the masjid. I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! I have come seeking knowledge.' He ﷺ said: 'Welcome, O seeker of knowledge! Indeed, the angels surround the student of knowledge, cover him with their wings, and climb upon one another until they reach the sky, out of love for what he is seeking.' Then Ṣafwān asked about wiping over the leather socks, and the Prophet ﷺ responded: 'Three days and nights for the traveler, and one day and night for the resident.'"
❖ Allah Desires Good for the Student of Knowledge
Hadith ㉔
وَعَنْ مَعْبَدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، قَالَ: كَانَ مُعَاوِيَةُ قَلَّمَا يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ شَيْئًا...
(مشكل الآثار: 2/279؛ مسند أحمد: 4/92,93,98,99؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 1196)
❀ Maʿbad al-Juhani reported that Muʿāwiyah رضي الله عنه would rarely narrate Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ. However, he would often say the following words, especially during Friday sermons:
"Whomever Allah intends good for, He grants him understanding of the religion. Indeed, wealth is sweet and lush. Whoever acquires it rightfully, it will be blessed for him. But beware of excessive praise, for it is akin to slaughter.”
❖ Remain Silent When Angry
Hadith ㉕
وَعَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ مَرْفُوعًا: عَلِّمُوا وَيَسِّرُوا وَلَا تُعَسِّرُوا...
(الأدب المفرد، رقم: 1230؛ مسند أحمد: 1/239, 283, 365؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 1375)
❀ Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Teach others and make things easy, do not make them difficult. Give glad tidings and do not drive people away. And when one of you becomes angry, let him remain silent."
❖ Preserve Knowledge by Writing
Hadith ㉖
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ مَرْفُوعًا: قَيِّدُوا الْعِلْمَ بِالْكِتَابِ
(السلسلة الصحيحة: 2026)
❀ Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Secure knowledge by writing it down."
❖ Engage in Night Prayer
Hadith ㉗
عَنْ ابْنِ الْأَدْرَعِ...
(مسند أحمد: 4/337؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 1709)
❀ Ibn al-Adraʿ رضي الله عنه said:
"I was guarding the Prophet ﷺ one night. He came out for a need, saw me, and held my hand. We passed by a man loudly reciting Qur’an in prayer. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Perhaps he is showing off.' I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, he is reciting Qur’an.' He let go of my hand and said: 'You will not attain this matter (religion) by overpowering others.'
On another night, the Prophet ﷺ again held my hand as I guarded him. We passed by another man praying aloud. I said: 'Perhaps he is showing off.' This time the Prophet ﷺ replied: 'No! He is one who turns often in repentance.' I looked and saw it was ʿAbdullāh Dhul-Bijādain."
❖ Do Not Speak Without Verification
Hadith ㉘
وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ إِثْمًا...
(صحيح مسلم، المقدمة؛ سنن أبي داود: 4992؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 2025)
❀ Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported:
"It is sufficient sin for a man to narrate everything he hears."
❖ The Student of Knowledge Brings Blessings in Provision
Hadith ㉙
وَعَنْ أَنَسٍ رضي الله عنه...
(سنن الترمذي، رقم: 2346؛ مستدرك الحاكم: 1/93؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 2769)
❀ Anas رضي الله عنه narrated:
"There were two brothers in the time of the Prophet ﷺ — one of them used to attend the Prophet’s gatherings and listen to his teachings, while the other worked. The working brother complained to the Prophet ﷺ, saying: 'O Messenger of Allah! My brother does not help me in my work.' The Prophet ﷺ replied: 'Perhaps you are being provided for because of him.'"
❖ Avoid Misinterpretation of Qur’an and Sunnah
Hadith ㉚
وَعَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد: 4/155؛ السلسلة الصحيحة: 2778)
❀ ʿUqbah ibn ʿĀmir al-Juhanī رضي الله عنه narrated:
"I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: ‘The destruction of my Ummah will come through the Book and milk.’ They asked: 'O Messenger of Allah, what do you mean by the Book and milk?' He replied: 'They will learn the Qur’an but interpret it contrary to what Allah revealed, and they will love milk so much that they will abandon congregational prayers and Friday prayers, and prefer to live in the wilderness.'"
❖ Spread Knowledge After Gaining It
Qur’anic Verse
قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:
﴿كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ...﴾
(Surah Āl-ʿImrān, 3:110)
❀ Allah Almighty said:
"You are the best nation raised for mankind — you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah. If the People of the Book had believed, it would have been better for them; among them are believers, but most are defiantly disobedient."
Hadith ㉛
وَعَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد: 4/399، رقم: 573 – صححه الشيخ حمزة زين)
❀ Abu Mūsā رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The example of the guidance and knowledge that Allah has sent me with is like that of rain falling upon the earth. One portion of the land accepts it and brings forth vegetation and grass in abundance. Another part retains the water and benefits people who drink, water their animals, and irrigate crops. But a third portion is barren — it neither retains the water nor produces vegetation.
This is the example of one who comprehends the religion of Allah and benefits from what I was sent with, teaching others as well. And the one who turns away from it and does not accept the guidance of Allah with which I was sent — he is like the barren land."
❖ Honor and Respect the Students of Knowledge
Hadith ㉜
وَعَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد، رقم: 23135 – authenticated by Shaykh Hamzah Zayn)
❀ ʿUbādah ibn aṣ-Ṣāmit رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"He is not from my Ummah who does not respect our elders, show mercy to our young, and recognize the rights of our scholars."
❖ The Scholars Are the Heirs of the Prophets
Hadith ㉝
وَعَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد، رقم: 22058 – authenticated by Shaykh Hamzah Zayn)
❀ Abū ad-Dardāʾ رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"The superiority of a scholar over a mere worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over all other stars. Indeed, the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. The Prophets did not leave behind gold or silver coins; rather, they left behind knowledge. So whoever acquires it has acquired a great share."
❖ Seeking Knowledge Is an Order from Allah
Hadith ㉞
وَعَنْ عِيَاضِ بْنِ حِمَارٍ الْمُجَاشِعِيِّ رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد، رقم: 18529 – authenticated by Shaykh Hamzah Zayn)
❀ ʿIyāḍ ibn Ḥimār al-Mujāshiʿī رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said during a sermon:
"Indeed, Allah Almighty has commanded me to teach you that which you were ignorant of, from the knowledge He taught me today. And indeed, whatever I have granted to My servants is lawful for them."
❖ Etiquette of Sitting in Knowledge Circles
Hadith ㉟
وَعَنْ أَبِي وَاقِدٍ اللَّيْثِيِّ رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد، رقم: 22252 – authenticated by Shaykh Hamzah Zayn)
❀ Abū Wāqid al-Laythī رضي الله عنه narrated:
"While we were with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, three men came by. One of them saw an empty space in the gathering and sat there. Another sat behind the group, and the third left. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Shall I tell you about these three?
The first sought refuge in Allah, so Allah sheltered him. The second felt shy, so Allah was shy with him. And the third turned away, so Allah turned away from him.'"
❖ The Importance of Listening Attentively
Hadith ㊱
وَعَنْ جَرِيرٍ رضي الله عنه...
(صحيح البخاري، كتاب العلم، رقم: 121)
❀ Jarīr رضي الله عنه narrated:
"During the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ instructed me: 'Tell the people to remain silent.' He then said: 'Do not turn back into disbelievers after me, striking the necks of one another.'"
❖ Encouragement to Ask Scholars
Hadith ㊲
وَعَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد، رقم: 3056 – authenticated by Aḥmad Shākir)
❀ Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنه narrated:
"A man received a wound during the time of the Prophet ﷺ. Due to a state of janābah, he was instructed to perform ghusl, which led to his death. When the Prophet ﷺ was informed, he said: 'They killed him — may Allah kill them! Why didn’t they ask when they did not know? Surely, the cure for ignorance is to ask questions.'"
❖ Students Must Lead a Practicing Life
Hadith ㊳
وَعَنْ شَقِيقٍ، عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد، رقم: 22143 – authenticated by Shaykh Hamzah Zayn)
❀ Shaqīq narrated from Usāmah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه that someone said to him:
"Why do you not speak to this man (ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه)?" Usāmah replied: "Do you think I do not speak to him unless I let you all know? By Allah, I have spoken to him privately without initiating something I would not be the first to open. I will not say about any man that he is the best of people — even if he is my leader — after hearing the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
'A man will be brought on the Day of Judgement and thrown into Hell. His intestines will spill out, and he will revolve around them like a donkey revolving around a millstone. The people of Hell will gather around him and say: ‘Did you not used to enjoin good and forbid evil?’ He will say: ‘Yes, I did, but I did not practice what I preached.’”
❖ The Prophet ﷺ Made Duʿāʾ for Knowledge-Transmitters
Hadith ㊴
وَعَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبَانَ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ...
(مسند أحمد، رقم: 21923 – authenticated by Shaykh Hamzah Zayn)
❀ ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Abān ibn ʿUthmān reported from his father:
"Zayd ibn Thābit رضي الله عنه came out from Marwān’s presence around midday. We said: 'Surely, he called you to ask about something.' I asked him, and he said: 'Yes, he asked about matters I had heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
I heard the Messenger ﷺ say:
"May Allah brighten the face of a person who hears a Hadith from us, memorizes it, and conveys it to others. For a carrier of fiqh may not be a faqīh himself, and one who carries fiqh may pass it on to someone more knowledgeable than him.
Three traits will not allow a Muslim’s heart to be treacherous:
① Sincerity in action for the sake of Allah,
② Giving sincere advice to the Muslim rulers,
③ Remaining attached to the Muslim community — for their supplication surrounds them from behind.”**
He (ﷺ) also said: “Whoever concerns himself with the Hereafter, Allah will gather his affairs and place contentment in his heart, and the world will come to him in submission. But whoever focuses on the world, Allah will scatter his affairs, place poverty between his eyes, and he will receive nothing of the world except what is decreed for him.”
He also asked about the Middle Prayer (ṣalāt al-wusṭā), and the Prophet ﷺ replied: 'It is Ẓuhr.'"
❖ Knowledge Will Be Removed Near the End Times
Hadith ㊵
وَعَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رضي الله عنه...
(مسند أحمد، رقم: 13126 – authenticated by Aḥmad Shākir)
❀ Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"From among the signs of the Hour are: knowledge will be lifted, ignorance will spread, wine will be consumed, and adultery will become widespread."
