“ How beautiful are the effects of people of knowledge and knowledge upon the people of the masses; and how evil are the effects of the masses upon the people of knowledge and knowledge, indeed, only if the masses don't take heed and become the obstacle to knowledge.” -Imam Ahmad -
Knowledge, therefore, plays an important role in every Muslim which reflects on the way one would live one’s life.
Virtues of Knowledge
Knowledge has always been closely related to the facts and truths, and no doubt, has so many virtues itself in Islam.
Knowledge is fitrah. Instinct & natural disposition (fitrah) is a state that is connected to guidance, filled with knowledge. Knowledge which is pure, received by pure fitrah can never be a contradiction to the person. In the Quran, Allah ﷻ says in Surah As-Shu’ara verses 88 - 89:
يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ (88) إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ (89)9
The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children; But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart. [QS 26:88-89]
As per Ibn Sirin, a sound heart is a clean heart that is free from any impurity, knows that Allah is true, that the Hour will undoubtedly come and that Allah will resurrect those who are in graves.
In Episode 1 of Steps to Jannah - S1, Shaykh Sajid took the opportunity to elaborate on the virtues of knowledge for the purpose of the session is to be an avenue for students of Jannah to seek true knowledge for the benefit of oneself and ummah.
Among the virtues of knowledge are:
1. Inheritance of the Prophets & Messengers
Abu Darda (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“The scholars are the successors of the prophets. Verily, the prophets do not pass on gold and silver coins, but rather they only impart knowledge.” [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi]
Knowledge is what has been inherited from the prophets, messengers and the scholars. Therefore to benefit from it, we should attempt and make efforts to inherit it as well.
2. Path to Jannah
It’s every Muslim goal to have a place in Jannah and knowledge would be one of the means to own it. Narrated Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.” [At-Tirmidhi]
3. Famous among the Angels
Knowledge would make its seekers famous among the angels, that they humble themselves for the seekers of knowledge. Abu Darda (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does.” [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi]
4. To be at the creations’ service
The nobility of knowledge would make other creations of Allah ﷻ to be at the person of knowledge. Abu Darda (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him.” [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi]
5. Raising one’s rank over other creations
Knowledge would raise a person in rank over the rest of Allah’s creation. Abu Darda (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“The superiority of the learned man over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars.” [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi]
6. Raising the bar of witness
Allah ﷻ says in Surah Ali Imran verses 18:
اشَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ ۚ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise [QS 3:18]
In this ayah, knowledge would be a means for a person to be raised to the bar of witness, testifying Allah’s Oneness, in the most productive way.
7. Goodness from Allah
Knowledge is a sign that Allah wants good to the person. Narrated Ibn 'Abbas (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“For whomever Allah wants good, He gives him understanding in the religion” [At-Tirmidhi]
8. Beneficial to others
Abu-Darda (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to people.” [At-Tabari]
People of knowledge are those who are of benefit to other people by the teaching and sharing of the knowledge that they have.
9. Higher in rank over other people
Abu Umamah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“The virtue of the scholar over the worshipper is like my virtue over the least of you.” [At- Tirmidhi]
10. Most valuables
Knowledge supersedes health and wealth. It is more valuable than the gold and silver coins. Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased).” [Muslim]
11. Knowledge is compulsory
The importance of knowledge in Islam that it is made compulsory to every Muslim, as per Anas bin Malik (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
“Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim” [Ibn Majah]
Acknowledging the importance of knowledge, a Muslim should always thrive to put effort and seek true and right knowledge for the benefit of oneself and the ummah in this worldly life and hereafter.