Guidelines To Seeking Knowledge Or Ilm In Islam

GUIDELINES TO SEEKING KNOWLEDGE IN ISLAM

Knowledge teaches a person how to live, keep him away from sins, prevent from making and seeing mistakes, prevent from becoming the fuel of hell. 

"Seeking knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim."

[Sunan Ibn Majah :224 authentic]

This hadith is doesn't belong to worldly knowledge but from religious knowledge. Knowledge of deen keeps us from all evil thoughts because of strong faith in ALLAH. The person having strong faith is trying his best to avoid the mistake. It is the duty of every believer to acquire Ilm. But it does not mean to read, write or memorize anything without knowing useful or useless. Everything goes well step by step. There are a few things to keep in mind before seeking knowledge. It is very important to know where to start or what to do next. There are few important topics that we need to know regarding seeking knowledge: 

Having sincere intention

For seeking knowledge your intention must be sincere. If your intention is pure the spirit of doing deeds become valid and turns your permissible deed into acts of worship.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"A person who gains knowledge only to gain pride among scholars, or defeat the foolish or to turn the heads of people towards himself, ALLAH will make him enter hell."

[Sunan Ibn Majah:260]

Gaining Islamic knowledge doesn't mean to be in pride, it means to apply it in your life and teach others.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"Two hungry wolves, if let loose among a flock of sheep, will not do more damage than that which is caused by a man's greed for wealth and status to his religion."

[Tirmidhi:2376 authentic]

The greed for knowledge is very dangerous for society as well as for Islamic purpose. The greed of wealth and status make us evil.

"ALLAH does not accept any deed, except that which is purely for Him."

[Sunan an-Nasai:3140]

Pure knowledge means the knowledge that is gained for the only sake of ALLAH. 

Struggle to acquire knowledge

We must struggle to acquire Islamic Knowledge without struggle we can't get anything.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"One cannot gain Islamic knowledge with physical comfort."

[Sahih Muslim]

Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه narrated,

"When Prophet Muhammad died, I said to a person from the Ansar, “O so and so. Come here so that we can ask the companions of the Prophet since they are numerous today (so that knowledge can be collected)."

The person said, “O Ibn Abbas I am surprised, do you think you will be needed even though we can see that among people so many Sahaba (companions) of the Prophet are present"

So, he left my suggestion. But I continued to be dedicated towards this matter. Whenever I would come to know that so and so has a hadith then I would go to him. He would be taking rest (at his home). So I would spread my sheet at his doorstep and the wind would be blowing the dust on my face. 

He would come out and say after seeing me, "O cousin of the Prophet what has brought you here? 

If you would have called me, I would have myself come to you."

So I would say,"No. I have a greater right that I come to you." So I would ask him about the Hadith."

That one companion (man from the ansaar) of mine was left until that time came when people started gathering around me (to acquire Islamic Knowledge). 

Then that companion said “This young man is wiser than me."

[Recorded in ad-daarimi: Introduction: In the section,"Travelling to seek knowledge and bearing difficulties for the sake of ALLAH]

Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه was a parental cousin of the prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He devoted his life to the pursuit of learning and knowledge Because he had greed for seeking knowledge. He was an expert in the explanation (tafsir) of QURAN. He had narrated 1666 hadith which are recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.

Caution in acquiring knowledge

We must take Caution in acquiring knowledge from Scholars on the authentic methodology. Weak sources need to do more inquires that is a wastage of time so better we should prefer authentic sources.

"O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate." 

[Surah Al-Hujraat 49:6]

According to this ayah, we should pay attention, listen and accept any news. The believers should be concerned about the negative news.

Muhammed bin Sireen said, 

"Indeed, this knowledge (of hadith) is your religion, so check from whom you are taking it."

[Sahih Muslim Introduction]

In Sahih Bukhari introduction this is said by Muhammad bin Sireen, and we should follow this. Suppose we are at the station, we get a bag that not belongs to anyone. Should we take that? No. Then why we will not investigate a new comes from an unknown source.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"He is not one of us who does not respect our elders, does not have mercy on our young ones and does not acknowledge the right of our scholars."

[Musnad Ahmad: 7033 authentic]

The person who does not give respect to others who have not shown mercy on living beings is not able to spread knowledge of deen. Islam teaches us to be polite and respectful to others.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"Whosoever tells a lie against me intentionally then surely let him occupy his seat in Hell-Fire."

[Sahih Bukhari:3461]

Some source of hadith are not conformed, a chain of narration has broken. Some narrators told a lie on prophet ﷺ such narrators will be hellfire.

"And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge." 

[Surah Al-Isra 17:36]

Do not accuse anyone of that of which you have no knowledge. When you did not hear or see anything and said I know ALLAH will ask you about all of that. ALLAH forbids speaking without knowledge and only based on suspicion, which is mere imagination and illusions.

"They have no definite knowledge of the matter but are only following a conjecture."

[Surah An-Nisa 4:157]

This ayah is for those who are spreading false knowledge. They don't know anything but making lots of things in their own sense.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"Leave that which makes you doubt in that which does not make you doubt"

[Tirmidhi:2518]

We should accept undoubtful things and leave doubtful. 

Being eager to pass on the Knowledge

We should not keep our knowledge to ourselves, need to pass it on to another. There are a lot of things that we know and a lot of knowledge is gained by sharing with others. 

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"It is compulsory upon those who are present to inform those who are absent."

[Sahih Bukhari:Volume 1, Book 3, Number 67]

Most people are not sharing their knowledge but in Islam, this is not allowed to hide.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"He who is asked something he knows and conceals it will have a bridle of fire put on him on the Day of Resurrection."

[Sunan Abu Dawood:3658]

If some asked about something to you and You didn't tell in fact you know about that then you are sinful, and you will have to put in the fire of hell.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

“May ALLAH keep that person hale and hearty who

•  hears a saying of mine and
• memorizes it
• until he narrates it to others.

[Tirmidhi:2656 authentic]

Here saying means QURAN and hadith:

We should learn and need to pass it on to others.

How do we learn best? 

What method produces the highest retention rate.

Lecture = 5%

Reading = 10%

Audiovisual = 20%

Demonstration = 30%

Discussion Group = 50%

Practice by doing = 75%

Teach others / immediate use of learning = 90% 

Teaching others is the best way to gain knowledge and remembering. Suppose you heard anything and immediately shared it with others, your mind memorize it as fast as that another situation.

Speaking doesn't matter in religion without knowledge

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"The one who knows should speak (from his knowledge) And the one who doesn’t know should say, ‘ALLAH knows better’. Because it is from knowledge to say, ‘I don’t know’ about the thing that he does not know.

[Sahih Bukhari: Book of tafseer-ul-QURAN]

If you have no knowledge of Islam just keep quiet or clearly say I don't know. False speak leads to hell.

The sin of inventing falsehood about ALLAH

And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth,"This is lawful and this is unlawful," to invent falsehood about ALLAH. Indeed, those who invent falsehood about ALLAH will not succeed.

"[It is but] a brief enjoyment, and they will have a painful punishment.”

[Surah An- Nahl 16:116-117]

ALLAH clearly shows in the QURAN that none but ALLAH has the right to declare a thing to be lawful or unlawful. In other words, any person who will dare to decide about the lawful and the unlawful will transgress his powers.

The sin of Inventing falsehood in the name of the Prophet ﷺ

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"Ascribing false things to me is not like ascribing false things to anyone else. Whosoever tells a lie against me intentionally then surely let him occupy his seat in Hell-Fire."

[Sahih Bukhari:1291]

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"If anyone is given a legal decision ignorantly, the sin rests on the one who gave it."

[Sunan Abu Dawood:3657]

Starting with the more important things

We should start with the more important things and moving to things of lesser importance because in Islam something are need to follow first. Suppose we started in one by one may be first we get an unimportant thing and reaching to important we got tired and left and missed a very important thing. So we should start with a very important thing. 

"If life was so long that we could know everything – it would be good. But life is short! Hence, we should prioritize those things (in seeking knowledge) which are most important and have the greatest (Islamic) virtue."

[talbees Iblees: The section of the deception of the people of language and etiquette]

Step-by-Step learning

Even the QURAN was sent down step by step. Step-by-step learning is understandable and easy to learn. ALLAH knew better how to memorize. He has the knowledge of everything and every human affair.

For example: Starting with the small books and moving on to the bigger books, starting with simple things then moving on to the complicated things.

"And those who disbelieve say, "Why was the QURAN not revealed to him all at once?" Thus, [it is] that We may strengthen thereby your heart. And We have spaced it distinctly.”

[Surah Al-Furqaan 25:32]

ALLAH cleared that the Prophet ﷺ may commit it to memory perfectly and recite it to his people, who are illiterate, rather than present it in a written form.

Thirst for knowledge

Having the thirst for knowledge and a strong yearning to increase knowledge and not getting contented with what one knows.

"And say, "My Lord, increase me in knowledge."

[Surah Ta-Ha 20:114]

The angel cautions the Prophet ﷺ by ALLAH’s command to guard against a thing that had been noticed during the revelation, it was felt necessary that he should be taught the right method of the receipt of the message of revelation and be asked not to try to commit it to memory during the revelation.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"O Abu Huraira! I have thought that none will ask me about this Hadith before you, as I know your longing for the (learning of) Hadith."

[Sahih Bukhari:6570]

Humbleness in seeking knowledge

ALLAH does not love the arrogant and the boastful people because they do not give ALLAH's right from their wealth, and they assist in the spread of stingy behaviour. 

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise."

[Sahih Muslim:147]

"ALLAH does not love the arrogant and the boastful."

[Surah An-Nisa 04:36]

The Effect of Knowledge

God-Consciousness and humility before ALLAH 

 

"Only those fear ALLAH, from among His servants, who have knowledge."

[Surah Fatir 35:28]

ALLAH said in QURAN, the more a person is aware and conscious of ALLAH’s powers, his wisdom, his knowledge, his wisdom, his omnipotence, his other attributes, his vengeance and the more he will fear His disobedience.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"If you knew that which I know you would laugh little and weep much."

[Sahih Bukhari:1044]

Acting on Knowledge

After getting knowledge, we follow a straight path in the way of ALLAH. Our thinking gets changed according to Islam. We start to do all the things that ALLAH like for a better Muslim.

The Prophet ﷺ said,

"On the day of resurrection the feet of a slave will not move away till he is questioned (about five matters): (among them) regarding his knowledge what did he do with it?"

[Tirmidhi:2417 authentic]

On the day of resurrection everyone will be questioned about five matters:

1. About his life. How he spends his life, did he do good or bad deeds?

2. about his knowledge. Did he teach someone, his family, relatives, neighbours and others? How much he followed in his own life.

3. About the wealth, How he earned halal or haram? 

4. About his wealth, where he spends, on his pride or in the way of ALLAH.

4. About his body and what did he wear it out.

Conclusion

The Prophet ﷺ said,

“A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in the (Hell) Fire, so that his intestines will come out, and he will go around like a donkey goes around a millstone. 

The people of (Hell) Fire will gather around him and say: O so-and-so! 

What is wrong with you? 

Didn't you used to order us to do good deeds and forbid us to do bad deeds? 

He will reply: Yes, I used to order you to do good deeds, but I did not do them myself, and I used to forbid you to do bad deeds, yet I used to do them myself”.

[Sahih Bukhari:3267]

Knowledge (Ilm): Benefits And Importance