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OBLIGATORY KNOWLEDGE IN
ISLAM
Information & awareness gained through experience or education (oxford)
DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE
Allah mentions knowledge(ilm) in two
waysPraisworthy - Beneficial knowledge – ilm naafi
Blame worthy- Non-beneficial knowledge – Gair naafi
“Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Him and so do the angels and those firmly endowed with knowledge”
Surah Zumar
:9
Evidence for Benefecial knowledge
• “And say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge”
Surah Imran:13
• “It is only the learned amongst His servants who truly fear Allah.”
Surah Taha:114
• “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except that which you have given us. You alone are the knowing Wise.”
Surah Baqarah:32
In all the above verses it is the beneficial knowledge which is being talked of & that is Al –Ilm-al- Sharia
Non-Benefecial knowledge
Is the one from which the Prophet has asked refuge with Allah in a beautiful supplication reported in sahih Muslim-2722
“ O Allah! I take refuge with you from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that has no fear, from a soul that is never content, from an invocation that is not responded to.”
BRANCHES
Magic-sihr (Baqarah:
102)
Bayan (Abu
Dawood- 5012)
Geneology (Partially)
Discussion of Qadr
Astronomy
(Partially)
Dhat of Allah (swt)
Excessive debating
about religion
Prophet is reported to have said “Of a surety, some forms of speech (Bayan) are
magic and some knowledge is ignorance “
Hadith of Abu Dawud
Knowledge that does not benefit rather brings harm to religious or
wordly well-being
Bayan
Intended meaning
expressed clearlyIntended meaning
expressed with such a level of eloquence &
cleverly modified phrases such
that they captivate the
hearts
Commendable- directed to the truth or aid the
truth
Blameworthy- directed toward
falsehood or confusion such
that truth appears to be false or vice
versa
Magic
Magic
Geneology
It was said to the Prophet “Messenger of Allah! How astonishing is the knowledge of such and such a person!” He inquired “Of what?”They replied “Of people’s geneologies.’He remarked “Knowledge that is of no benefit, the ignorance of which causes no harm.”
Hadith of Abu Dawud
Geneology & Astronomy“Learn of your geneologies such
amount as would allow you to join the ties of kinship, then desist. Learn of the Arabic language such amount as would allow you to understand the Book of Allah, then desist.Learn of astronomy such amount as would allow you to travel in the darkness of land and sea, then desist.” (Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al_iman #1723)
Umar bin Al Khattab said “Learn of astronomy such amount as would allow you to travel thorough land and sea, then refrain. Learn of geneologies such amount as would allow you to join the ties of kinship and would teach you which women are lawful for you and which are not, then refrain” ( Suyuti, al-Durr al-Manthur, vol. 3)
“Whoever acquires knowledge from
the stars has acquired a branch of magic.” (Abu
Dawud)
Discussing Qadr/divine decreeUsing parts of the Quran to contradict other parts such that the
one who affirms the divine decree quotes a particular verse while the one who denies it quotes another verse and they start
quarrelling.
It is reported that such an event occurred at the time of the Prophet whereupon he became angry and prohibited it
Such matters are to be considered as disputing about the Quran and this has been prohibited
Discussing Qadr either
by affirmation or negation
by rationalizin
g & employing
logical arguements
QADARIYYAH
Deny Qadr
Say “Were Allah to decree everything & then punish people, He would be unjust &
oppressive”
JABARIYYAH
Humans forced to do what
they do, everything is decreed and hence man is
not accountable
for His actions
Prohibited
Probing into the
workings of Qadr
Because humans will never be able to
understand its true reality
Discussing the Dhat of Allah
Leads to abhorrent innovations & fabrications because -
Allah’s essence (dhat) & attributes are beyond the rationality of humans
Two groups• Negate many of Allah’s
attributes because of likeness between the Creation & the Creator
• Like As-Samee, Al-Baseer as in their view this is attributing Allah with attributes of seeing and hearing which is His creations’
• Eg- Mu’tazila & Jahmiyyah
• Affirm Allah’s attributes through their logics and as a result derive fabricated names & attributes
• Like “movement” – an attribute they believe to be a natural outcome of His established attributes
• Eg- Karaamiyyah
Probing into minute details of
issues & excessive debating
about the religionArguementations & disputations regarding lawful & prohibited
Distracts from beneficial knowledge
“A nation never went astray after being guided except by
means of disputation” (Tirmidhi,Ibn Majah)
“They only say this to you for argument’s sake, they are indeed a disputatious
people” (Zukhruf:58)
“They ask you about the soul, say: the soul is my Lord’s concern” (Isra:85)
Numerous evidences against asking excessive questions, asking tricky questions and also about events that have
yet to occur” (Bukhari,Muslim)
Evidences against
excessive debating
Benefecial knowledge
Obligatory (fard-e-Ayn)
Optional/ recommended
(Fard-e-Kifayah)
Islamic faith/Usool-ad deen/ilm
tawheed/aqeedah
Fiqh Al Ahkam/Fiqh Al ibadah/acts of
worship
Optional Islamic knowledge (ilm
ash-sharia)
Wordly knowledge (ilm-
ad-dunya)
Seeking religious knowledge is a collective obligation (Fard –e- Kifayah) except that which is individually incumbent. (fard-e-ayn) (Majmoo ul Fatawa).
IBN TAYMIYYAH
It is the responsibility of every accountable person (sane, adult muslim; male or female; rich or poor)
OBLIGATORY KNOWLEDGE
According to Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal: it is obligatory on every individual to seek that type of knowledge which will allow him to practice his religion properly
Fiqh Al Ahkam/Fiqh Al ibadah/acts of worship
Fiqh
Al-Ib
adah
Acts of worship/all aspects & rulings of pillars of islam/iman like rulings
related to salah, zakah etc.
Necessary transaction of business dealings
Knowledge of daily issues like marriage, tarbiyah of children, divorce
Knowledge of sins of heart, tongue, limbs, private parts etc.
Optional knowledge(Fard-
e-kifayah)
Al ilm al-Sharia (Optional Islamic
knowledge)
Al Ilm al-Dunya (wordly
knowledge)
Responsibility of the
whole community
Tafseer ul Quran, fiqh, Hadith sciences, seerah etc.
Engineering,medicine,agriculture
Wajib al kifayan(The communal
obligations) Knowledge of rulings of trading,
dealings & transactions Knowledge of religious
endowments Knowledge of laws of inheritance Knowledge of universal, physical
& material sciences etc
In todays world we are more inclined towards dunyawi ilm rather than the ilm obligatory upon every person
Even a doctor or a professor of world fame is considered a jahil and is at loss if he is not aware of how to attain taharah or correctly perform salah
I. SEEKING KNOWLEDGE
(Al-ilm ash sharee)The legislative Islamic knowledge
(Ignorance)
Sin 39:9,7:138,46:23Worship
ILM JAHL
KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH – Ma’arif-Allah
OBLIGATORY KNOWLEDGE : AL-ILM- Uthool-e-thalatha
Fundamentals of ISLAMIC FAITH (ILM USUL UD-DEEN/Ilm al Tawheed, Aqeedah) (fard ayn)
KNOWLEDGE OF DEEN- Ma’arifad-Deen
KNOWLEDGE OF PROPHET – Ma’arifa-Rasool
USOOL- E- THALATHA
Root word- Asl meaning root/foundation
Three – Rabb, deen, rasool
Three fundamental principles on which deen
rests
Sent (73:16) messengers
KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH
Our Lord(1:1) Creator (7:11) (39:62)
Gave us purpose of life ((23:115)
Worship Him alone
(2:21)
All types of worship only for Him (Islam,Eeman,Ihsan,Dua etc.) (72:18)
Knowledge of Allah
Iman/Belief In
Allah
His Existence His Lordship (Rubbobiyah)
His names & attributes
(Asma was-Sifat)
His Godhood “Ilah”
(Uloohiyah)
KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH’S EXISTENCE
INTELLECTUAL PROOF
“Were they created of nothing
or were they themselves
creators?” (52:3)
Allah is our only Lord , creator, Sustainer, Planner, Controller of all
affairsNone has share in His dominion
(1:1,7:11,39:62)
TAWHEED RUBOOBIYAH
Creator
Cherisher
SovereignProvider
(Quran 51:58)
(Quran 1:2)
(Quran23:116)
(Quran 6:102)
AR-RABB(TARBIYAH)
TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR DEVELOPMENT- from
beginning to completion
“From a sperm-drop He had created him,
and then moulds him in due proportion [Quran 80:19]
OUR LORD
THE
NURTURER
“And Who sends down rain from the sky in due
measure, then We revived a dead land
therewith, and so you will be brought forth from the graves.”
(Quran 43:11)
Allah provides
sustenance for us
Didn’t leave us without purpose
Rather He sent messengers with the message of Tawheed to worship only Him
and direct all worships towards
Him
“Indeed, it is Allah who is the (continual) Provider,
the firm possessor of strength (Dhariyat:58)
“Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would
not be returned” (Muminoon:115)
“Indeed, We have sent to you a Messenger as a
witness upon you just as We sent to Pharoah a messenger” (Al-Muzzammil:15)
Knowledge of His beautiful names & attributes (Asma-ul-
husna was sifat)
TAWHEED ASMA WAS-SIFAT
None is worthy of worship except Him and all worships only for Him.
He is the only “ILAH”
TAWHEED ULOOHIYAH/UBOODIY
AH
Thus with such awareness of our creator , the most powerful, the Al Mighty , one will denounce all imperfections that ignorant and deviant people attribute to Allah (sw) and so will refrain from shirk and bidaah.
II. ACTION based on KNOWLEDGE = FRUIT OF KNOWLEDGE
Action should be with eemaan in Allah (i.e., correct belief of heart, speech of tongue & action of the body parts)
Action is the establishment of obedience to him by- Doing what He has commanded Avoiding what He has forbidden
ACTION WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
KNOWLEDGE BUT DOES NOT ACT
PUNISHABLE
III. CALLING TOWARDS TRUTH
16:125
Debate Wisdom Fine
admonition
12:108
Truth (Haqq) Baseerah
(evidences) Sound
knowledge
With-
Towards-
IV. PATIENT PERSEVERANCE
ISLAM (5 pillars)
KNOWLEDGE OF DEEN
EEMAN (6 pillars) (2:177)
IHSAN (26:128)
ISLAM means complete submission to the will of Allah – the
only God truly worthy of being worshipped without any partners
Evidence- Hadith of Jibreel (Umm-ul Hadith)
Reported by Umar radi Allahu’anhu
• One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black, no signs of journey were to be seen on him and none of us knew him.
He walked up and sat down in front of the Prophet with his knees touching against the Prophet’s and placing the palms of his hands on the thighs he said
“O Muhammad”, tell me about Islaam.”The messenger of Allah said “ Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform prayers, to give zakah, to fast in Ramadan and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.” He said: “You have spoken rightly” and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly.
Then he said, “Tell me what is Faith (Iman)?” He (upon him blessing and peace) answered, “To believe in Allah, His Angels, His books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe that no good or evil comes but by His Providence.” “You have spoken truthfully,” he said, and then, “Tell me what is Excellence (Ihsan)?” He SAW answered, “To worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, yet He sees you.” “You have spoken truthfully,” he said, and then, “Tell me of the Hour.” He (upon him blessing and peace) answered, “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.” He said, “Then tell me of its signs.” He (upon him blessing and peace) answered, “That the slave-girl shall give birth to her mistress, and those who were but barefoot, naked, needy herdsmen shall build buildings ever higher and higher.”
Then the stranger went away, and I stayed a while after he had gone, and the Prophet SAW said to me, “O Umar, do you know the questioner, who he was?” I said, “God and His Messenger (upon him blessing and peace)know best.” He (upon him blessing and peace) said, “It was Jibril (Gabriel). He came to teach you your religion.”
This narration is from Sahih al-Bukhari
THREE LEVELS
OF DEEN
EEMAN
SPEECH
HEART
TONGUE
ACTION
HEART
TONGUE
LIMBS
Firm belief upon knowledge contained
Confirmation & affirmation with the tongue
Ibadah of the hearts (love, fear , hope etc.)
Enjoining good & forbidding evil, dhikr, repentance
Enjoining good, forbidding evil, salah, zakah, not cheating etc.
Worshipping Allah as if you were seeing Him & even though you do not see Him but He certainly sees you.(16:128,26:217-220,10:61)
AL – IHSAAN (Perfection in Ibadah)
First level of Ihsaan Worship Him as if you were seeing Him directing your heart to Him & turn to Him & seek to draw near to Him yearning to the one you love.(Muslim 1/1-3/no.1)
Second level of Ihsaan If not the first level of ihsan then worship Allah as though He was eeing you
KNOWLEDGE OF PROPHET
Life & Lineage (lived for 63 yrs.)
Prophet & Messenger to all mankind & Jinn
(7:158)Sent as a mercy
Purpose- Call to the light of ilm & tawheed from the darkness of shirk
Religion complete
d through him (5:3)
He was also a human being but the chosen one
Thus one will not elevate him to a
divine status nor will he degrade him to a status that does not
befit his prophethood
He died
(39:30)
Knowledge of true status, functions and rights of the prophet
BENEFITS OF KNOWING THE PROPHET
“Certainly you have in the life of the Messenger the 'Best Model' for him whose hope is in Allah and the last day, and who engages himself much in the remembrance of Allah.” (surah Ahzab:21)
BEST HUMAN BEING
BEST OF ALL THE UMMAH
BEST OF ALL THE RELIGIONS
Life journey of the
Prophet
Sour
ces o
f kno
wled
ge
(cat
egor
izatio
n by
imam
ash
-sha
fi)
Quran & authentic sunnah
Unanimous agreement of scholars when proof is not found in book and sunnah.
When some (one)sahabah said something and no opposition is found.
Companions differed but Muhammed (saw) did’nt object.
Anlytical deduction(Qiyas).
ETTIQUETES OF SEEKING KNOWLEDGE
• Firstly – Sincerity of intention for Allah
• Hadith “Actions are but by intentions”
• A sincere Intention is completely free from riyaa
• Riya leads to loss of blessing from knowledge and is a sin
RIYA –
SHOWOFF
C RRUPT INTENTIONS!“Whoever seeks knowledge for the purpose of the wordly life will not smell the fragrance of paradise” (Abu Dawud)
Knowledge of Aqeedah at- Tawheed “ Know, that there is none worthy of worship (in truth except Allah..” (Surah Muhammad:19)
“to know”- “to have knowledge”
MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF KNOWLEDGE
1. Excellence in asking questions in a good manner
2. Excellence in remaining quiet & listening attentively
3. Understanding
4. Memorising
5. Teaching
6. Fruit- Action upon it and keeping to its limit
SIX STEPS OF
SEEKING KNOWLEDGE BY IBN QAYYIM
REWARDS/GLAD TIDINGS FOR KNOWLEDGE SEEKERS
Reward for seeking knowledge is nothing but paradise !!
Ahmed, Tirmidhi,
Abu Dawud
“Whoever Allah wants good for, He gives him understanding of the religion (Muslim , Bukhari)
UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION- Ability to address matters upon sound knowledge of Quran & Sunnah upon methodology of pious predecessors with wisdom
Three category of people saved from Allah’s curse (Tirmidhi)
One who remembers Allah in a way that
pleases Allah
Religious scholars
Talib-e-ilm/student of knowledge
Envy is permitted only in two cases:
- A man whom Allah gives wealth and he disposes of it rightfully and
- A man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and
teaches it” (Bukhari,Muslim)
Allah will exalt in degree
(Mujadilah :11)
Those who believe
Those granted
knowledge
Prophet has said : “The superiority of the learned over the devout worshipper
is like my superiority over the most inferior amongst you (in good deeds).”
He continued “Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth
and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour of those
who teach people knowledge.” (At-Tirmidhi)
Ilm before tawba & istighfaar (surah Muhammad:19)
Importance of knowledge more than worship because- Light of knowledge benefits
all- Worship if not done with the
correct knowledge is worthless
“It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah”
He who calls others to follow the right guidance will have a reward equal to the reward of those who follow him, without their reward being diminished in any respect on that account
Surah Fatir:28
Muslim
“Verily the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets . And verily prophets do not leave behind gold or silver as inheritance but rather they leave behind knowledge so whoever takes hold of it has taken hold of a large share” (Abu Dawud)
Prophet is reported to have said “ Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people but He takes away by taking away (the lives) of the religious scholars till none of the scholars stays
alive. Then the people will take ignorant ones as their leaders who when asked to deliver religious verdicts will issue them without knowledge , the result being that they will go astray and will lead others astray.” (Bukhari,
Muslim)
Noble virtue of scholars
Once a muslim has corrected his beliefs and ibadah through knowledge and cleansed his devotion from shirk, it becomes his responsibility to call others to it
“O you who believe, ward off from yourselves and your families a fire whose fuel is men and stones” (surah Tahrim:6) And this is only possible with ilm al sharia.
Prophet has said “Every one of you is a steward and is accountable for that which is committed to his charge.” (Bukhari , Muslim)
Prophet has said- “Whoever is asked about the knowledge that he knows
and then he hides it and keeps it away, he will be bridled on the day of
judgement with a bridle of fire.(Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Al tirmidhi)
Calling others to
knowledge
Prophet is reported to have said: May Allah freshen the affairs of a person who hears
something from us and communicates it to others as he heard it. Many a recipient of knowledge understands it better than the
one who has heard it” (At-Tirmidhi)
May Allah make our journey of seeking knowledge, acting upon that and calling others to that easy for us and safeguard us from all the obstacles in its pursuit … Aameen