Knowledge is Worship

Knowledge is Worship [*]

The principle of all principles mentioned in this book, as well as the principle of every required action is in your understanding that knowledge is worship. Some scholars said, “Knowledge is a secretive prayer and the worship of the heart.” Therefore the condition of worship is:

Firstly: Sincerity of intention for Allah subhaanahu wa ta’aala', due to His saying:

" وَمَا أُمِرُ‌وا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ ..."

“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him)...” [Soorah al-Bayyinah (98):5]

Also [we find] in the famous hadeeth, which was narrated through only one chain upon the authority of the Commander of the Believers ’Umar ibn al-Khattaab, (radiAllahu ’anhu) that the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Actions are but by intentions...”[1]

So if Knowledge is devoid of sincere intention then it is transformed from being amongst the most noble acts of worship to being one of the lowest forms of violation, and there is nothing that destroys [the blessing of] knowledge as much as riyaa' (showing off), be it riyaa' of shirk or riyaa' of ikhlaas and also tasmee’ (showing of with intent of being heard of); an example of such is the musmi (the person carrying out this action) saying: “I know [such and such]” or, “I have memorized such and such...etc.[2]

Therefore, adhere to freeing yourself from everything that blemishes your intention of seeking [knowledge] such as love of standing out, and rising above your colleagues and turning them into objects of achieving [hidden] objectives and attaining [worldly] pleasures; such as [seeking] wealth, glory, fame (by way of hearsay), praiseworthiness, or intending to turn people’s faces in your direction; for these, and other similar things that are such that if they blemish one’s intention they will corrupt it, and the blessing from knowledge will be lost. For this reason it is incumbent upon you to protect your intention from all the traces of seeking with your knowledge the pleasure of others besides Allah, the Most High, yet it is incumbent to beware of the things which lead to these [evil qualities].

There are a number of sayings and occurrences that I mentioned at the beginning of the first chapter of my book at-Ta’aalum, and , I would also like to add to the previous list: the prohibition of the scholars on the issue of at-tubooliyaat meaning the [controversial] issues which are mentioned in order to achieve fame. It used to be said: “the drums are struck for the mistake of a scholar,”[3] and it was narrated that Sufyaan (ath-Thawree) rahimahullaah said: “I was blessed with the understanding of the Qur'an, and when I upturned the money purse, it - i.e., understanding - was taken away from me.[4]

So hold fast - may Allah shower His mercy upon you - to the most trustworthy handhold (sincerity) that will save you from these fatal blemishes, by becoming - along with exerting yourself in becoming sincere - very fearful of anything that nullifies it (sincerity), and displaying great poverty to Allah subhaanahu, along with turning to Him sincerely. It was narrated that Sufyaan ibn Sa’eed ath- Thawree said: “I did not treat anything more difficult than my sincerity.” It was narrated that ’Umar ibn Dharr said to his father: “O, my father! Why is it when you preach to people they are taken by their weeping, and when others preach to them they do not cry?” So he replied: “O, my son! The bereaved woman who cries is not the same as the woman who is hired to cry [over the dead].”[5] May Allah grant you prosperity in achieving the right guidance.

Secondly: The comprehensive quality that guarantees the goodness of this world and the hereafter is the love of Allah, the Most High, and the love of His Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and realising them by genuine following, and pursuing the tracks of the infallible (i.e. the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam))

Allah, the Most High, said:

“Say: “If you really love Allah then follow me [and in turn] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins and Allah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Soorah Aal-’Imraan (3):31]

Generally; this principle [is also considered] as the basis of this book, and its position is that of a crown to [mere] clothes.

So, O you seekers [of knowledge]! Here you are sitting cross legged for the lesson and your souls are attached to the most precious of things (seeking knowledge), so I advise myself and yourselves to fear Allah, the Most High, openly and in secret; for indeed it is the tool, and the landing place of all virtue, the level of praiseworthiness, the source of power, and the ascension of the highly aspirated, and the most secure binding for the heart from the fitan (tribulations) so do not become negligent of it.