Hadeeth on
“The Encouragement of seeking knowledge”
Adapted from “Lessons in Tawheed, Fiqh and Hadeeth”
Printed by the Ministry of Education of
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Adapted and Translated by
Abu 'Abdis Salaam Siddiq Al Juyaanee
Source:
www.SalafyInk.com
Text of the Hadeeth
On the authority of Abee Ad Dardaa (radi Allahu ‘Anhu) who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallalAllahu alaihi wasallam) saying,
“Whoever takes a path seeking therein knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Jennah. And Verily the Angels lower their wings to the student of knowledge due to their being pleased to what they do. Verily everything in the heavens and earth even the fish in the water ask that the scholar be forgiven (for their sins). The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like that of the moon over the rest of the stars. Verily the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets (alaihimus salaam). Surely the Prophets (alaihimus salaam) do not leave behind to be inherited dinaar nor dirham (money). Verily they only leave behind knowledge to be inherited, so whoever takes it has taken hold of a great prosperity.”
Collected by Abu Dawud and At Tirmidhee.
The meaning of the words and phrases from the Hadeeth
Takes a path: strives in the seeking of knowledge[1].
Allah will make easy for him a path to Jennah: Allah will make good (righteous deeds) easy for him.
Do not leave behind to be inherited: They do not leave anything behind after them to be inherited (except that which is mentioned in the Hadeeth i.e. beneficial knowledge).
They only leave behind knowledge to be inherited: They leave beneficial knowledge behind to be inherited by their nations.
The general meaning of the Hadeeth
In this Hadeeth which was narrated to us by this noble companion (radi Allahu anhu) we see that verily the one who strives hard to seek (beneficial) knowledge and goes to the sittings (classes) of the scholars, studies and reviews (what he has learnt); then verily Allah will make easy for him the knowledge that he seeks and all that is necessitated for him to attain it. This is providing that his intentions are sincerely for Allah Alone. This will be a great cause for him being guided, benefiting by way of his knowledge and his ultimate success by receiving Allah’s reward.
Today it must be conveyed to the Islaamic Nation its responsibility (of seeking and pursuing) beneficial knowledge (and acting in accordance to it). (By doing this) it will return it to its rightful place of being the leading nation in the world. (By Allah’s Mercy) there are people from amongst the youth of the Muslims (who have taken up this task) and only after Allah’s permission may bring us closer to this hope and desire.
The points of benefit found in this Hadeeth
1. The (Hadeeth shows us the) superiority of seeking knowledge and an encouragement to seek knowledge.
2. (We learn that) all of the creation asks that the student of knowledge be forgive for his or her sins.
3. It demonstrates the superiority and excellence of the scholar who implements his knowledge over the worshiper.
4. It is shows us that there are different levels of excellence in this affair; like the excellence of the full moon over the rest of the stars[2].
[1] Knowledge here refers to beneficial knowledge, which is the knowledge of the Kitaab (Qur’an) and Sunnah. This is the knowledge that is referred to and that which we are encouraged to seek; the knowledge of the Deen of Islaam, knowledge of the Sharee’ah, knowledge of the Kitaab and Sunnah.
[2] Different levels of excellence are shown to us in the likeness of the moon and stars. The stars themselves are not the same in their light, there are some that shine brighter than others. Likewise, even the brightest star is dim in comparison to the moon. The same is for knowledge, like Allah says, “We raise to degrees whom We will, but above everyone who has knowledge, there is one who is more knowledgeable (The All-Knowing, Allah).” [Suratu Yusuf: 76]
