Book 12: Knowledge

Chapter 241: The Excellence of Knowledge—Learning it and Teaching it for Allah’s sake

Allah the Exalted says:
“Say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (Tā Hā 20:114)

He also says:
“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’” (al-Zumar 39:9)

And He says:
“Allah will raise in rank those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge.” (al-Mujādilah 58:11)

And He says:
“Only those of His servants who possess knowledge truly fear Allah.” (Fāṭir 35:28)

1384 – Muʿāwiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “When Allah intends good for someone, He grants him understanding of the religion.” Agreed upon.

1385 – Ibn Masʿūd, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Envy is allowed only in two cases: a man whom Allah has endowed with wealth and he disposes of it unstintingly in the cause of truth, and a man whom Allah has endowed with wisdom; he judges by it and teaches it.” Agreed upon.

What is meant by “envy” (ḥasad) here is emulative desire (ghibṭah): to wish to possess the like of what the other has.

1386 – Abu Mūsā, may Allah be pleased with him, said: The Prophet ﷺ declared, “The example of the guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like that of abundant rain(1) that falls upon the earth. Some of the ground absorbs the water and produces pasture and plentiful grass; some of it is hard and stony, retaining the water, so it becomes beneficial—"