The Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge

Taught by: Hacene Chebbani

The Importance of Seeking Beneficial Knowledge

• Seeking knowledge is one from the most virtuous acts of worship.

• “Whoever Allah wants good for him, He gives him understanding of the religion” Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

A Path to Paradise

• What is Shaytan’s source of stress and worries?

• Searching for knowledge is a path to Jannah. “Whoever takes a road seeking knowledge, Allah would ease a way for him to Jannah” Related by Muslim.

Knowledge is a source of honor and dignity.

• “Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have been granted knowledge to high ranks”

• “Only two persons are worthy of being envied; a person upon whom Allah bestows riches and gives him the power to spend it in a righteous cause; and a person upon whom Allah bestows wisdom by which he judges and which he teaches”. Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

A Request for an Increase

• “ And say: My Lord increase me in knowledge” Taha-114

• Impossible to be acquainted with all matters of knowledge.

• With knowledge, wisdom and fear of Allah increase.

• With knowledge comes firm belief and certainty.

Ants and fish Like You

• “... Even the ants in their holes and the fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct people with beneficial knowledge” Related by Tirmithi.

• Everything will love you and make dua’ for you if you use the knowledge and you teach it to others.

Do not be the third one

• One of the salaf said : “ Be a scholar or a student of knowledge, but do not be the third one, so you will be destroyed”

• Ignorance is your biggest enemy.• It is only religious knowledge which would

save you on the Day of Judgement.

The Heirs of the Prophets

• “The scholars are heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets do not leave behind an inheritance of gold or silver; they leave behind the inheritance of knowledge. Whoever acquired knowledge, he has acquired a great portion”

• It is such a great honor to inherit prophets and messengers.

Sincerity in Searching for Knowlege

• One has a good intention when seeking knowledge; if he intends through his studies:– To please Allah– To act in accordance to what he learns– To revive the Sharee’ah– To illuminate his/her heart– To earn Allah’s reward

Thoughts and Intentions to be Repressed

• One should not intend:– To fulfill any worldly goal such as achieving

leadership or gaining status and wealth.– To compete with colleagues and classmates.– To earn people’s respect and admiration.– To have a desire to take the front seat in

gatherings and Ilm Halaqas.

What does the Quran Say?

• “So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord- let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone” 18/110.

• “ Say: Verily, I am commanded to serve Allah with sincere devotion; and I am commanded to be the first of the Muslims.” Az-Zumar 11-12

Warnings from the Sunnah• “Whoever seeks knowledge to compete with the

scholars or debate with the ignorant ones or so that the people’s faces can turn towards him, then Allah will enter him into the Hellfire”. Reported by Tirmithee

• “Whoever learns some knowledge, by which Allah’s Face is sought, but he does not learn it except to achieve some worldly goals by it, he will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Judgement”. Reported by Abu Dawud with a hasan chain of narration.