THE KNOWLEDGE OF DEEN

"It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu) that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said that whoever commits himself to seek knowledge, Allah Ta'ala will facilitate for him the path to Jannah (Paradise)." (Muslim)

EXPLANATION:

The 'Knowledge' mentioned in this Hadith refers to the knowledge of 'Deen'! Logic dictates that anyone who is duty-bound, must necessarily have the relative knowledge. Taking as an example, obligations such as Taharat (cleanliness), Namaz, Roza, Zakaat, Hajj, etc., we can see that, in order to perform these duties and discharge these obligations, it becomes necessary and obligatory for every Muslim to acquire all the knowledge required to perform them correctly as Allah Ta'ala and His Prophet (sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) wills. It is therefore, concerning this very type of knowledge that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said: "Acquiring knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim." (Ibn Maajah)

The knowledge of Deen is by no means important and essential in itself. Its importance is linked to the practice of Deen. Knowledge that is not related to practice is of no importance. On the contrary, in some cases, it acts as an obstacle to what is necessary and indispensable. Thus, in the absence of practice, knowledge becomes null and void. The Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) is very clear about this when he says:

"Learn everything you desire. But know that Allah Ta'ala will not reward you until you put this knowledge into practice." (Al Muwaafaqaat)

The person who engages in the acquisition of Islamic knowledge is none other than the one who seeks the way of living according to the commandments of Allah Ta'ala. Living in accordance to the commandments of Allah Ta'ala guarantees this person admission to Jannah, because it is the only way to distinguish what is wrong, and therefore to be adopted and put into practice. It is in this precise sense that the acquisition of Islamic knowledge makes it easy for the Muslim to get Jannah.

Finally, applying oneself in the acquisition of knowledge requires an effort to be a good servant. The effort for this purpose is highly appreciated and commendable in the eyes of Allah Ta'ala. When Allah Ta'ala has appreciated and is satisfied with the action of a person, he grants him Taufeeq. It is the Taufeeq that facilitates the path to Jannah because it is from this same Taufeeq that all good deeds, however difficult they may seem, turn out to be easy. For the person who is sincerely committed to the acquisition of Islamic knowledge, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) announces very good news by saying:

"And the Angels spread their wings over a student of Deen as a sign of satisfaction." (Abu Daawud)

On the other hand, if the acquisition of knowledge hides another intention (than that of the perfect and sincere practice of Deen), the latter will manifest itself in three ways:

1st: The person concerned will challenge the scholars of Deen by claiming to be more erudite;

2nd: He will devote himself to discussions with the ignorant.

3rd: He will enjoy public applause. There is no doubt that such intentions are born in the heart of a person who is not sincere.

Doing something insincerely / without sincerity does not only result in an action devoid of merit but also makes the person guilty of lack of sincerity and therefore deserving of punishment. Therefore, this is how Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) warns us: 

"Allah Ta'ala will throw into the fires of hell the one who seeks knowledge in order to defy the Ulama (Scholars of Islam), to argue with the ignorant, and to draw to himself the attention of the public." (Tirmizi)

The sincerity of the intention of a Muslim must be such that if the search for or the acquisition of knowledge requires him to leave his country, he must submit. Thus we see that Hadhrat Musa (Alaihis Salaam), in spite of the fact that he was a Prophet, was sent by Allah Ta'ala to Hadhrat Khizar (Alaihis Salaam) for the noble cause of knowledge. Hadhrat Jabir Ibn Abdullah (Radiyallahu anhu) travelled for a whole month to meet Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Quays (Radiyallahu anhu) for the sole purpose of learning a hadith. Going out in search of the knowledge of Deen is in fact Jihaad in the path of Allah.

"Whoever goes in search of knowledge is on the path of Allah Ta'ala until he returns." (Tirmizi)

‎ [English version of "Connaissance de 'Dîne'‎" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 2]