The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When Allah intends good for someone, He grants him deep understanding of the religion.” [Al-Bukhari 71; Muslim 1037].
The revealed texts that speak of the virtue of knowledge and urge its pursuit are exceedingly numerous.
Imam Ahmad remarked, “Seeking knowledge is the most excellent of deeds, provided one’s intention is sound.”
The two Imams, Abu Hanifa and Malik, said, “The best voluntary act is knowledge—learning it and teaching it.”
Imam al-Nawawi stated, “The early generations unanimously agreed that engaging in the study of knowledge is superior to occupying oneself with supererogatory prayer, fasting, glorification, and the like. Knowledge is the light of hearts and the prophetic inheritance; and whoever Allah intends good for, He grants him understanding of the religion. It is therefore the best of deeds and the closest to Allah.”
The most excellent of the Islamic sciences are: the foundations of the creed, then Qur’an exegesis, then hadith, then legal theory, and then jurisprudence.
– “And let me benefit from what You have taught me”: This is the very fruit, essence, and benefit of knowledge. Knowledge that brings no benefit to its possessor becomes a burden upon him and an abiding proof against him. The Prophet ﷺ said, “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that brings no benefit.”
The fruits of knowledge are summed up in two matters:
- Sincerity to Allah Most High in seeking and acquiring it.
- Acting upon it.
Whoever neglects these two—or even one of them—has suffered loss.
Imam al-Ghazali said, “O you who have turned toward knowledge: if, in seeking it, your aim is rivalry, self-aggrandizement, outstripping your peers, attracting people’s faces toward you, or amassing worldly scraps, then your bargain is lost and your trade is bankrupt. But if your intention in seeking knowledge is guidance, then rejoice, for the angels spread out their wings for you as you walk, pleased with what you seek.”