Aqeedah/Belief Basics

Allah has praised knowledge, and raised the status of its people. “Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have knowledge, to high ranks.” (Al-Mujaadilah, 58:11)

1. Allah (swt) praises what in verse 11 of Surah Mujaadhilah? 2. Who will be given high status by Allah?

It is the scholars who truly understand the Qur’aan. “And such are the Parables We set forth for mankind, but only those who have knowledge understand them.” (Al-‘Ankaboot, 29:43)

3. Who actually understands Qur’an well?

It is the scholars who truly fear Allaah. No one fears Allaah like the scholar. “Only those among His servants who possess knowledge truly fear Allah.” (Faatir, 35:28) “I am the most knowledgeable of you regarding Allaah, and the most fearing of Him.” (Reported by Al-Bukhaaree) This shows that knowledge and piety go hand in hand. It also shows exclusivity for the people of knowledge since perfection can only be reached with ‘ilm.

4. Who fears Allah(swt) more? 5. What did the Prophet (pbuh) tell us about himself? 6. How can we reach perfection?

Knowledge is a sign of Allah’s love for a person. “Whosoever Allah wishes good for, He gives him understanding (fiqh) of the Religion.” (Related by Al-Bukhaaree (no. 71) and Muslim (no. 1037)) The benefits of knowledge remain after one’s death. “When a man dies, his acts come to an end but three: recurring charity, knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son who prays for him.” (Related by Muslim)

7. What is the sign of Allah (swt) love in a person? 8. What are the three acts that remain even after when one dies?

The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets (as). Messenger of Allah (saw) say: “He who treads a path in search of knowledge, 1.Allaah will make easy for him a path from the paths of Paradise. 2.The angels lower their wings for the student of knowledge in approval of what he does.

The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets (as). 3. All the creatures in the heavens and earth, and even the fish in the depths of the water, seek forgiveness for the scholar. 4. The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the full moon at night over the rest of the stars. Indeed the scholars are the heirs to the prophets. Surely, the prophets did not bequeath deenaars or dirhams. They left behind knowledge, so whoever takes it, has indeed acquired a huge fortune.” (Al-Musnad 5/196, Aboo Daawood 3/317, At-Tirmidhee 5/49, Ibn Maajah 1/81, Ad-Daarimee 1/98)

It is important to note that the knowledge that is praised is religious knowledge. The knowledgeable people in the time of Qaroon were ulemma, not doctors and engineers. One proof for this is the ayah, They know only the outside appearance of the life of the world (i.e. the matters of their livelihood, like irrigating or sowing or reaping, etc.), and they are heedless of the Hereafter (30:7).

Knowledge should also manifest itself in a person’s akhlaaq and actions. A student must be sincere and purifying himself from sins and jealousy and hatred of others. He must also feel the importance of knowledge, its seriousness and sanctity. It is not appropriate to seek knowledge to argue with the ignorant or seek fame, but knowledge is sough to draw one’s self closer to Allah (swt).

Happy Land for Islamic Teachings mominkids.net