Islamic Knowledge

Islamic Islamic Knowledge.Knowledge.

The Prophet The Prophet (( و عليه الله و صلى عليه الله صلى said: “Whomsoever said: “Whomsoever ( (سلمسلمAllah wants good for he Allah wants good for he

makes him understand the makes him understand the religion”. religion”.

الرحمن الله الرحمن بسم الله بسمالرحيمالرحيم

In the Name of Allah the Most In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent Most Merciful. Beneficent Most Merciful.

What is Islamic Knowledge?What is Islamic Knowledge?

• Generally, knowledge refers to understanding any Generally, knowledge refers to understanding any issue, specific or general, in the manner by which issue, specific or general, in the manner by which it supposed to be understood.it supposed to be understood.

• Islamic knowledge therefore refers to Islamic knowledge therefore refers to having the having the correct understanding of issues which the correct understanding of issues which the Qur’an and the Sunnah have dealt with. Qur’an and the Sunnah have dealt with.

• The scholars have divided Islamic knowledge into The scholars have divided Islamic knowledge into three broad categories:three broad categories:

• Aqeedah Aqeedah ((العقيدةالعقيدة)) (Worship) (Worship)• Fiqh Fiqh ((الفقهالفقه))(Jurisprudence)(Jurisprudence)• Suluuk Suluuk ((السلوكالسلوك))(Behaviour)(Behaviour)

Virtues of Seeking Virtues of Seeking KnowledgeKnowledge• Those who have knowledge truly fear Allah.Those who have knowledge truly fear Allah.• Whoever seeks knowledge Allah makes the way to Jannah Whoever seeks knowledge Allah makes the way to Jannah

easy for him. easy for him. • Allah raises the people of knowledge over those who are Allah raises the people of knowledge over those who are

ignorant. ignorant. • Allah ordered the Prophet (Allah ordered the Prophet ( سلم و عليه الله سلم صلى و عليه الله to ask for an ) to ask for an (صلى

increase in knowledge and he didn’t order him to ask for an increase in knowledge and he didn’t order him to ask for an increase in anything else.increase in anything else.

• Everything in the heavens and the earth makes Du’a for the Everything in the heavens and the earth makes Du’a for the seeker of knowledge. seeker of knowledge.

• The seeker of knowledge is able to distinguish between The seeker of knowledge is able to distinguish between truth and falsehood in trying times. truth and falsehood in trying times.

Branches of Islamic Branches of Islamic KnowledgeKnowledge• There are two matters that a student must There are two matters that a student must

take into consideration when he/she wants to take into consideration when he/she wants to seek Islamic knowledge: seek Islamic knowledge:

• The Goal The Goal ((المقصودالمقصود)): Understanding Aqeedah, : Understanding Aqeedah, Fiqh and Islamic Conduct according to the Book Fiqh and Islamic Conduct according to the Book of Allah and the Authentic Sunnah. of Allah and the Authentic Sunnah.

• The means The means ((الوسائلالوسائل)): The student must study : The student must study the sciences that serve as a means to the sciences that serve as a means to understand the goals that were previously understand the goals that were previously elaborated. elaborated.

AqeedahAqeedah ( (العقيدةالعقيدة) )

• Aqeedah refers to what one believes and acts Aqeedah refers to what one believes and acts upon. upon.

• The scholars of Islam have said that this science The scholars of Islam have said that this science pertains to the study of the six points of Imaan pertains to the study of the six points of Imaan which are: which are:

• Belief in AllahBelief in Allah• The AngelsThe Angels• The Books The Books • The ProphetsThe Prophets• The Day of Judgment The Day of Judgment • Divine DecreeDivine Decree

Aqeedah Aqeedah ((العقيدةالعقيدة))

• Other scholars such as Shaikh Amaan Other scholars such as Shaikh Amaan Al Jaami Al Jaami (( عليه الله عليه رحمة الله divided this divided this ((رحمةstudy into three categories: study into three categories:

• Knowledge of Allah Knowledge of Allah ((إلهياتإلهيات))

• Knowledge of the Messengers Knowledge of the Messengers ((النبواتالنبوات))

• Belief in unseen matters Belief in unseen matters ((الغيبياتالغيبيات))

Aqeedah Aqeedah ((العقيدةالعقيدة) )

• Matters to note: Matters to note:

• In order to understand issues of In order to understand issues of Aqeedah one must take from the Aqeedah one must take from the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the Consensus of the Companions.Consensus of the Companions.

• There is no room for difference of There is no room for difference of opinion in Aqeedah. opinion in Aqeedah.

Fiqh Fiqh ((الفقهالفقه))

• Fiqh refers to the knowledge of Islamic Fiqh refers to the knowledge of Islamic rulings according to its clear evidences rulings according to its clear evidences from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. from the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

• The Ulama have divided it into two The Ulama have divided it into two categories: categories:

• Fiqh Ul Ibaadaat Fiqh Ul Ibaadaat :(:( العبادات العبادات فقه This refers to This refers to ((فقهthe pillars of Islamthe pillars of Islam

• Fiqh Ul Mu’aamalaat Fiqh Ul Mu’aamalaat (( المعامالت المعامالت فقه This : This :((فقهrefers to other matters in jurisprudence.refers to other matters in jurisprudence.

Fiqh Fiqh ((الفقهالفقه))

• Note well: Note well: • The evidences of Fiqh are from the The evidences of Fiqh are from the

Qur’an, the Sunnah and Ijmaa’ Qur’an, the Sunnah and Ijmaa’ (consensus). When Ijtihaad (consensus). When Ijtihaad ((اإلجتهاداإلجتهاد)) is is needed then Qiyas needed then Qiyas ((القياسالقياس)) is utilized. is utilized.

• There is room for differences of There is room for differences of opinion opinion once those differences do once those differences do not oppose clear evidencesnot oppose clear evidences..

Suluuk Suluuk ((السلوكالسلوك))

• This refers to the behaviour and manners This refers to the behaviour and manners of the Muslim and is divided into three of the Muslim and is divided into three main categories: main categories:

• Manners with Allah: Meaning to fear him in Manners with Allah: Meaning to fear him in secret and in public. secret and in public.

• Manners with Oneself: This is done by Manners with Oneself: This is done by following up an evil deed with a good following up an evil deed with a good deed. deed.

• Manners with Others: To be courteous and Manners with Others: To be courteous and kind to the people. kind to the people.

Other branches of Other branches of knowledgeknowledge• As for the branches of knowledge which are As for the branches of knowledge which are

a means to understanding Islam they are: a means to understanding Islam they are: • The Arabic Language.The Arabic Language.• The Science of HadeethThe Science of Hadeeth(( الحديث الحديث مصطلح ( (مصطلح• The Science of JurisprudenceThe Science of Jurisprudence ( ( الفقه الفقه أصول ((أصول• The Science of TafseerThe Science of Tafseer ( ( التفسير التفسير أصول ((أصول• These sciences give the student of These sciences give the student of

knowledge fundamental principles by which knowledge fundamental principles by which he would be able to source authentic he would be able to source authentic information and understand it.information and understand it.

The Pillars of Seeking The Pillars of Seeking KnowledgeKnowledge• The Pillars of Seeking Knowledge are as follows: The Pillars of Seeking Knowledge are as follows: • Sincerity Sincerity ((اإلخالصاإلخالص))• Good MannersGood Manners ( ( الفاضلة الفاضلة األخالق ( (األخالق• Diligence Diligence ((الحرصالحرص))• IntelligenceIntelligence ( (الذكاءالذكاء) ) • PatiencePatience((الصبرالصبر) ) • Money Money ((المالالمال))• A Teacher’s guidanceA Teacher’s guidance ( ( األستاذ األستاذ إرشاد ( (إرشاد• Keeping good companyKeeping good company ( (الصحبةالصحبة) ) • Seeking knowledge for a long period of timeSeeking knowledge for a long period of time ( ( طول طول

( (الزمانالزمان

SinceritySincerity((اإلخالصاإلخالص))

• Sincerity is defined as the oneness of Allah in Sincerity is defined as the oneness of Allah in intention. intention.

• It is upon the student to seek knowledge in order It is upon the student to seek knowledge in order to get closer to Allah. This is because any worship to get closer to Allah. This is because any worship that is done for other than him is rejected.that is done for other than him is rejected.

• His intentions should be the following: His intentions should be the following: • To raise ignorance from himself and others. To raise ignorance from himself and others. • To act upon the knowledge he has learnt. To act upon the knowledge he has learnt. • To defend Islam against those who oppose it from To defend Islam against those who oppose it from

the Kuffar and the Ahlul Bid’ah (the people of the Kuffar and the Ahlul Bid’ah (the people of innovation). innovation).

Sincerity Sincerity ((اإلخالصاإلخالص))

• If a student is sincere it will manifest itself If a student is sincere it will manifest itself in certain ways: in certain ways:

• Action upon knowledge. Action upon knowledge. • Taking knowledge from those who are Taking knowledge from those who are

above and below him. above and below him. • Being humble to the general people.Being humble to the general people.• Saying I don’t know Saying I don’t know • Listening attentively when others are Listening attentively when others are

speaking about the branches of knowledge.speaking about the branches of knowledge.


• The student should not seek The student should not seek knowledge in order to: knowledge in order to:

• Debate with the scholars.Debate with the scholars.

• Fool the common people.Fool the common people.

• Speak about it in sittings. Speak about it in sittings.

• Gain authority over others. Gain authority over others.


• Insincerity manifests itself in many ways: Insincerity manifests itself in many ways:

• Not accepting the truth when it comes. Not accepting the truth when it comes.

• Belittling the common-folk. Belittling the common-folk.

• Arguing with the scholars. Arguing with the scholars.

• Covering the truth with falsehood. Covering the truth with falsehood.

• Desiring accolades and titles from others. Desiring accolades and titles from others.

• Not acting upon it. Not acting upon it.

Good Manners Good Manners (( األخالق األخالق((الفاضلةالفاضلة• It is upon the student of knowledge to purify himself from It is upon the student of knowledge to purify himself from

any blameworthy characteristics when he is threading the any blameworthy characteristics when he is threading the path of knowledge. path of knowledge.

• Good manners are the fruits of knowledge that is sought. Good manners are the fruits of knowledge that is sought. • It makes the student successful in seeking knowledge It makes the student successful in seeking knowledge

because of the following:because of the following:• The student would respect his/her teachers. The student would respect his/her teachers. • He/She would have respect for fellow students of He/She would have respect for fellow students of

knowledge. knowledge. • The people would not run away from him/her but rather The people would not run away from him/her but rather

would gravitate toward the student who has noble would gravitate toward the student who has noble characteristics. characteristics.

الذميمة (( الذميمة األخالق ) )Bad MannersBad Mannersاألخالق

• A student must stay away from A student must stay away from blameworthy characteristics. blameworthy characteristics.

• If the student has bad manners the If the student has bad manners the following would result: following would result:

• Lack of respect for his teacher.Lack of respect for his teacher.• Lack of respect for his fellow studentsLack of respect for his fellow students• Lack of respect for the common people. As Lack of respect for the common people. As

a result of this last point the people may a result of this last point the people may gravitate to those who are ignorant rather gravitate to those who are ignorant rather than those who are knowledgeable. than those who are knowledgeable.

Diligence Diligence ((الحرصالحرص))

• A student must be diligent in seeking Islamic A student must be diligent in seeking Islamic knowledge and this diligence has three knowledge and this diligence has three pillars:pillars:

• Attending the gatherings of the scholars. Attending the gatherings of the scholars. Memorizing, learning, understanding and Memorizing, learning, understanding and revising one’s lessons. revising one’s lessons.

• Making Du’a asking Allah’s help and Making Du’a asking Allah’s help and guidance in seeking knowledge. guidance in seeking knowledge.

• Avoiding procrastination. The student should Avoiding procrastination. The student should not leave off today’s lesson for tomorrow. not leave off today’s lesson for tomorrow.

Intelligence Intelligence ((الذكاءالذكاء))

• The student of knowledge must be The student of knowledge must be someone who is intelligent. someone who is intelligent.

• He must have the ability to He must have the ability to memorizememorize as well as to understand his lessons. as well as to understand his lessons.

• This intelligence is divided into two This intelligence is divided into two categories: categories:

• Intelligence that is natural.Intelligence that is natural.• Intelligence that is given by Allah Intelligence that is given by Allah

ta’ala.ta’ala.

Patience Patience ((الصبرالصبر))

• Patience refers to restraining oneself from Patience refers to restraining oneself from the disobedience of Allah. the disobedience of Allah.

• A student of knowledge is a Mujahid and A student of knowledge is a Mujahid and hence he must have patience upon four hence he must have patience upon four matters: matters:

• Seeking knowledge.Seeking knowledge.• Action upon it.Action upon it.• Calling toward it. Calling toward it. • Being patient toward what may come as a Being patient toward what may come as a

result of it. result of it.

Patience Patience ((الصبرالصبر))

• The student must endure hardships while seeking The student must endure hardships while seeking knowledge. And this is manifested in three ways: knowledge. And this is manifested in three ways:

• Traveling in order to seek knowledge. One has to sacrifice Traveling in order to seek knowledge. One has to sacrifice his/her time and energy in order to do so. his/her time and energy in order to do so.

• Going from one level of knowledge to the next. Which is Going from one level of knowledge to the next. Which is called At Tadarruj called At Tadarruj ((التدرجالتدرج)). The student learns the basic . The student learns the basic issues before delving into more complex issues. This issues before delving into more complex issues. This requires him to learn for many years requires him to learn for many years

• Having patience with the scholar who is teaching him. For Having patience with the scholar who is teaching him. For whomsoever does not taste the humiliation of seeking whomsoever does not taste the humiliation of seeking knowledge for one hour he will carry the cup of ignorance knowledge for one hour he will carry the cup of ignorance for his whole life. for his whole life.

• Having patience to remain a seeker of knowledge. He Having patience to remain a seeker of knowledge. He should have high hopes one day and none the next. should have high hopes one day and none the next.

Money Money ((المالالمال))

• The student of knowledge should The student of knowledge should have money for the following have money for the following reasons: reasons:

• To make trips to countries where the To make trips to countries where the scholars are. scholars are.

• In order that he remains independent In order that he remains independent of others who may want to use him of others who may want to use him as a ‘rubber stamp’. as a ‘rubber stamp’.

The Guidance of a ScholarThe Guidance of a Scholar (( إرشاد إرشاد((أستاذأستاذ

• Seeking knowledge under the scholars is Seeking knowledge under the scholars is the Sunnah of our Salaf.the Sunnah of our Salaf.

• The scholars are the key toward The scholars are the key toward comprehending the books of knowledge. comprehending the books of knowledge.

• The student of knowledge should try to The student of knowledge should try to travel to countries where the major travel to countries where the major scholars are as often as he is able to. scholars are as often as he is able to.

• If he is unable to do so then he should get If he is unable to do so then he should get recordings of classes taught by the recordings of classes taught by the scholars. scholars.

The Guidance of a ScholarThe Guidance of a Scholar (( إرشاد إرشاد((أستاذأستاذ

• The scholar should have certain qualities: The scholar should have certain qualities: • He should be Salafi. Neither an innovator He should be Salafi. Neither an innovator

nor a Hizbi. nor a Hizbi. • He should be piousHe should be pious• He should be known to have knowledge in He should be known to have knowledge in

what he is teaching. what he is teaching. • He should be elderly in age. This is He should be elderly in age. This is

because he would have more experience because he would have more experience in dealing with issues in knowledge. in dealing with issues in knowledge.

Having good Company Having good Company ((الصحبةالصحبة))• A student of knowledge should have the A student of knowledge should have the

following as good company: following as good company:

• Those who are upon Salafeeyah. Those who are upon Salafeeyah.

• Those who are pious with good manners. Those who are pious with good manners.

• Those who are hardworking students of Those who are hardworking students of knowledge. knowledge.

• Those who share what they have learnt and Those who share what they have learnt and are not selfish with what Allah has given are not selfish with what Allah has given them. them.

Studying for a long period of Studying for a long period of time time (( الزمان الزمان طول ((طول• The student of knowledge seeks it from the cradle The student of knowledge seeks it from the cradle

to the grave. Imam Ahmad said: “With the inkpot to the grave. Imam Ahmad said: “With the inkpot to the grave”.to the grave”.

• The Ulama have said: If you give knowledge all of The Ulama have said: If you give knowledge all of yourself you would only remain with some of it. yourself you would only remain with some of it.

• The student doesn’t stop seeking knowledge. The student doesn’t stop seeking knowledge. Rather he continues to read, memorize research Rather he continues to read, memorize research and travel in order to do so. and travel in order to do so.

• On returning to his country he should maintain a On returning to his country he should maintain a connection with the Major Scholars so that he connection with the Major Scholars so that he would be able to ask questions about doubtful would be able to ask questions about doubtful matters. matters.

ConclusionConclusion

• Seeking knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim. Seeking knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim. • Muslim brothers and sisters should make effort to come out Muslim brothers and sisters should make effort to come out

to classes where they can gain Islam knowledge. to classes where they can gain Islam knowledge. • They should all act upon the knowledge and call toward it They should all act upon the knowledge and call toward it

with understanding and insight. with understanding and insight. • Teachers should teach with the intention to take others Teachers should teach with the intention to take others

from darkness into light. from darkness into light. • They should teach the simple issues of knowledge before They should teach the simple issues of knowledge before

those that are complicated. those that are complicated. • They should maintain a link with the Major Scholars of this They should maintain a link with the Major Scholars of this

time. Whether through reading their works, listening to time. Whether through reading their works, listening to them or having tele-links with them. them or having tele-links with them.

• And last and not least. It is a must to be sincere in our And last and not least. It is a must to be sincere in our intentions. intentions.

• سلم و صحبه و اله على و محمد نبينا على الله صلى و أعلم الله سلم و و صحبه و اله على و محمد نبينا على الله صلى و أعلم الله و

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Islamic Knowledge