The Merit of THE knowledge

[Ismail Dalbani]

Bismillah Ar-RaHman Ar-RaHeem wa alHamdu lillahi rabil ^alameen waSalatu wassalamu ^ala sayyidina MuHammadin ashrafil mursaleen wa Habeebi rabil ^alameen.

Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, to praise the status of knowledge, its teachers, and its students. Ibn Majah related that the Prophet said: [ O Aba Dharr, if you go and learn one verse of the Qur'an it will be more rewardable for you than praying one hundred rak^ahs of the optional prayers; and if you go and learn a chapter of the knowledge, it is more rewardable for you than praying one thousand rak^ahs of the optional prayers. ]

Imam ^Aliyy Ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph, said: "Knowledge is better than money because knowledge protects you, whereas you protect money." Knowledge rules over things, whereas money is ruled over. Money diminishes as you spend it, whereas spending the knowledge by teaching it to others increases your reward.

Islamically, the issue of gaining the knowledge is held in high regard. This knowledge is not any knowledge per se, but rather, the knowledge of the Religion of Islam.

Allah said in the Qur'an in Surat at-Tahrim, Ayah 6 what means:[ O believers, protect yourselves and your families from Hellfire which is fueled by people and stones.] Imam ^Ata' Ibn Abi Rabah, who was among the followers of the Companions, interpreted that verse of the Qur'an. He said: "One protects himself and his family from the torture of Hellfire by learning how to pray, fast, sell, buy, marry, and divorce. "

In what was related by Imam Muslim, Imam Ibn Sirin said:

What means: "This knowledge is part of the Religion, so look thoroughly at whomever you take your religion from." One should stop for a moment and remind himself of far simpler matters. If one is seeking a particular university, one would spend a great deal of time checking the different rankings of universities to determine which is better. If one needs a treatment from a doctor, one would usually look for a recognized specialist; if one wants a house to be built, one would search for the best qualified in that field. Most definitely the knowledge of the Religion is a far higher priority, and one needs to look thoroughly at whom he will take that knowledge from.

Dear brothers in Islam, Learning the Obligatory Knowledge of the Religion makes one able to discriminate between what is lawful (halal) and what is unlawful (haram), what is valid and what is invalid, what is acceptable and what is rejected, in addition to what is classified under the Religion as good or bad.

With the knowledge of the religion, one knows how to speak, what to speak, and for what reason one is speaking. One would also remain silent, while knowing the reason behind remaining silent. With the knowledge of the religion, one knows how to buy and sell and how to conduct a marriage contract. With the knowledge of the religion, one knows how to be obedient to his parents and how to treat his relatives and neighbors kindly.

Based on the aforementioned, my advice to you is to commit yourselves to the sessions and circles of the Islamic Knowledge. Listen, learn, comprehend, and ensure that the notes are accurate. In addition, try to pass on this knowledge to others exactly as it was taken, without any addition or omission.

May Allah protect us and keep steadfast. And Allah knows best