Knowledge vis-a-vis Implementation

Beauty within a person or an object is usually described as something which is rare, eye- catching, attractive and alluring to the eyes of the beholder. One such rare attribute within the believers is the beauty of beneficial knowledge intertwined with implementation.

For sure, the implementation of knowledge is one of the most beautiful and intriguing characteristics Mu'aadhah, the great muhaddithah and teacher had. She wasn’t from those unfortunate women who possessed knowledge, yet never saw the fruits of it within their lives, because such knowledge is then just a burden for the one who acquires it, rather than a means towards the pleasure of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'ala).

When her husband and son passed away, her reaction testified that she had reaped the fruits of her knowledge. My dear Sisters, let’s try our best to follow the example of this great woman by implementing and practicing that which we do know in our own lives, taking on hand in hand the difficulties this may throw our way. For, Allah (a'zza wa jall) warns us by saying: “O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allah that you say that which you do not do.” [1]

The analogy of those who seek knowledge without implementing it is that of a person in a time of drought, needy of water for his people. He decides to undertake a long, laborious and painstaking journey under the scorching heat of the Saharan desert, each step more difficult than the next. But, such is his expediency that he sets out with a cracked storage container. When he finally gets to his destination, he is therefore unable to retain that which he ardently sought after and hence finds that he has in fact gained nothing...

My respected sisters, the drought eludes to the difficult situation we, as believers, are facing due to our ignorance of the teachings of our deen. The scorching heat and long journey is like knowledge, since it is only through pain and exertion that it is acquired. The cracked container is an analogy of the heart of every believer that does not absorb the fruits of knowledge and is instead lost in vain...

We must bear in mind that those who do not act upon their knowledge will be punished in the hereafter. In one Prophetic Narration, the Prophet (sallallahu a'lyhi wa sallam) said, “A man will be brought on the Day of Judgment and thrown into the Hell-fire where his intestines will spill out. So people will gather around him and it will be said (to him): ‘Weren’t you the one who used to command good and forbid evil?’ So he will say: “I used to command you to do good yet not do it myself. And I used to forbid you from evil yet commit it myself.’ ”[2]

In yet another hadeeth, Rasoolullah (sallallahu a'lyhi wa sallam) said, “On the night that I ascended up to the heavens, I came upon a people whose lips were being cut off by pliers made from Fire. Every time their lips were severed, they would be brought back and formed again. So I said: ‘O Jibreel, who are these people?’ He said: ‘They are speakers from your nation, who say words but do not do deeds, and who read the Book of Allah yet do not act (upon it).’ ” [3]

My dear Sister, action without knowledge is like a person who ignorantly over-speeds and finds he has a speeding ticket when it is too late. In the same way, the one who acts without knowledge may find that he is exceeding the limits and boundaries set by Allah by, for example, innovating, calling upon other than Allah (‘azza wa jall) and harming the neighbor; such matters are not small and can bring about grave consequences when it may be too late. For example, in the time of the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) there was a woman who would pray, fast and give charity extensively. Her evil trait was that she would harm her neighbor by her words. When the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) was asked about her he said: ‘She will be in the Hellfire.’" [4]

Today, when there is a revival taking place within Muslim women, as they feel a thirst to patiently gain and impart knowledge, a big mistake some of us are making is that we are not containing its benefit, cure, effectiveness, nourishment and fruit within our characters.  For, good manners and character are rarely acquired from books alone; rather, it is acquired by means of the companionship of the righteous. If we do this, my dear sister, we will as a result have acquired a beauty rarely exhibited within the general masses of the people...

The meretricious definition for many today of beauty, Depicts those in pornographic images exhibiting shamelessness and nudity, Yet, my Muslim Sisters, there is a rarity, Found in few and hence, not the majority: Rarely is it seen in speech and faces, or just by the person’s decorated home and clothing, It is beneficial knowledge adorned with implementation done sincerely, In order to see the Divine, just as the full moon in the hereafter, clearly.

And out of love of following the Messenger, which will lead undoubtedly, towards enjoying the eternal bliss of Paradise eternally and wholeheartedly, in the company of those who worshipped Allah alone - the One True Deity... Let’s therefore implement beneficial knowledge within ourselves first and fore-mostly.