knowledge.pdf

Publisher's Note

All praise is for Allaah; peace and prayers be upon Muhammad

his family, his Companions and all those who follow in their

footsteps until the Day of Judgement.

In the following pages is a short essay by one of the greatest

scholars alive today on the merits of knowledge and the

characteristics of the scholars. The Shaykh, may Allaah protect

him, has beautifully described the importance of seeking

knowledge, acting according to it and other related matters. It

is hoped that this booklet will help to create a realization of the

importance of knowledge and the status of the scholars.

This booklet has been published in Arabic under the title:

Al-'llm wa Akhlaaqu Ahlihi. The translator, may Allaah reward

him has added some useful footnotes and included an appendix

containing some very valuable points, taken from the writings

of Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah.

The author, Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullaah bin Baaz, may

Allaah preserve him, is one of the greatest scholars of this age,

who has spent his life calling to the pure Islaam, in creed as

well as methodology, as understood by the Companions, the

Successors and their successors - may Allaah reward him.

AI-Hidaayah Publishing and Distribution.

All praise and thanks are due to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds;

and the good end is for the pious. Prayers and peace be upon

His Slave and Messenger; the best of His creation, the faithful

to His revelation, our Messenger and Leader, Muhammad the

son of 'Abdullaah; upon his family, his Companions and

whoever follows his way until the Day of Judgement. To

proceed:

Indeed the virtues and merits of knowledge ('ilm) are well

known to everyone. It is the most noble thing that one can ask

for, and the best thing a seeker can strive to attain. Knowledge

consists of many branches, but according to the scholars of

Islaam: "What is meant by knowledge in the absolute sense is

Islamic knowledge."

This is the intended meaning of knowledge in the Book of Allaah

and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

In the absolute sense, it is knowledge regarding Allaah, His

names and attributes, knowledge of His rights over His

creation, and what He, the One free from all defects, the Most

High, has prescribed for them. It is the detailed knowledge of

the path that leads to Allaah; knowledge of the purpose of our

creation; and the end which the slave will result in, in the

Hereafter.

This Islamic knowledge is the best of sciences worth acquiring

because through it Allaah is recognized and acknowledged, and

by it He is worshipped. One who possesses this knowledge

knows what Allaah has made lawful for him and what He has

prohibited him from; what pleases Him and what evokes His

anger. With this knowledge a person knows his result with

Allaah and his end. From amongst the people, those who have

taken upon themselves to observe the precepts of the Religion

will result in Paradise and bliss, and the rest (which are the

majority) will result in a place of disgrace, humiliation and

misery. The people of knowledge have cautioned us about this

and explained that knowledge is confined to this meaning.

Amongst the scholars who indicated this is al-Qaadi ibn Abil' Izz

1 (commentator of 'Aqeedatut Tahaawiyyah) at the beginning of

his commentary. Others have also referred to it, such as Ibn

Qayyim, Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah 2 and a number of

others.

It is very clear that the merits and virtues of knowledge vary

depending on the extent of one's adherence to it. The greatest

and most excellent knowledge is that which pertains to Allaah,

His names, and His attributes, and this knowledge is known as

'aqeedah (belief). Indeed to Allaah, the Exalted and Supreme,

belongs the best example, which is the highest description in

every aspect of His essence, names, attributes and actions.

Following this is that which is related to Allaah's right over His

creation, what He has prescribed upon them. Following this is

what supports and bonds it in understanding such as

knowledge of the principles of Arabic, Islamic terminology,

principles of fiqh, hadeeth methodology and other sciences

which are connected to this knowledge, which assist it in both

understanding and precision.

The biography of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam),

Islamic history, biography of the narrators of hadeeth and of

the scholars of Islaam are also part of this knowledge.

Allaah has honoured and extolled the people who possess this

knowledge, and He has raised their status high. He made them

bear witness to His Oneness with sincere devotion:

1 Abul-Hasan Sadruddeen Alee bin 'Alaa-uddeen ibn Abil Izz

al-Hanafee. He died in the year 792H.

2 Shaykh-ul-Islaam Taqee ud-Deen Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah, one of

the great scholars of Islaam, well known for his vast knowledge

and piety. He authored many books on a variety of subjects. He

died in the year 728H. Imaam lbn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah was one

of his students, a scholar in his own right, who has written may

useful books. He died in the year 751 H.

"Allaah bears witness that none has the right to be wor-

shipped but He, and the angels, and those having

knowledge (also bear witness to this); (He is always)

maintaining His creation in justice. None has the right to

be worshipped but He, the All-Mighty the All-Wise." 3

The people of knowledge bear witness to His Oneness along

with the angels. The angels ('alayhimussalaam) and the people

of knowledge, affirm Allaah's Oneness with sincere devotion

towards Him, that He is the Lord of the worlds, the true deity

worthy of worship and that worship of anyone besides Him is

futile and void.

This affirmation in itself is sufficient proof to show their high

station due to the fact that Allaah made them testify to His

Oneness and the right for His worship. He, the Most High,

explained clearly that none is equal to them:

"...Say: `Are those who know equal to those who know

not?' It is only men of understanding who will remember

(that is get a lesson from Allaah's signs)." 4

And the Mighty and Majestic says:

"Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed

unto you (O Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam))

from your Lord is the truth be like him who is blind? But

it is only the men of understandin g that pay heed." 5

Therefore, the people of knowledge and the ignorant are not

alike. The person, who has knowledge that what Allaah has

revealed is the truth, guidance and a way to success, is not

equal to the one who has been blinded to this way and to this

3 Soorah Aal-Imraan (3):18. See appendix on page 25 for some

valuable points that can be derived from this verse.

4 Soorah az-Zumar (39):9

5 Soorah ar-R'ad (13):19

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