in the evening to the mosque, with no other purpose than to learn or teach something good, is like one who fights in Allah’s cause and returns with spoils.” It is related that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“All righteous deeds, compared with jihad, are but a drop of spittle in the sea; and all righteous deeds, jihad included, compared with seeking knowledge, are but a drop of spittle in the sea.”

This hadith explicitly states that seeking knowledge is better than jihad. This applies where jihad is a communal obligation that has already been fulfilled, since it is then voluntary for the person concerned. As for fulfilling the obligation of jihad, or engaging in jihad where it becomes an individual obligation, there is no doubt that this is better than seeking knowledge. And Allah knows best. The apparent meaning of the hadith also indicates that seeking knowledge is better than prayer. As for the report that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was asked about the best of deeds and replied, “Prayer at the beginning of its prescribed time,” this concerns obligatory prayers. As for voluntary prayers, seeking knowledge is better than them according to the apparent meaning of the hadith cited above. And Allah knows best.

Mālik was asked about people discussing jurisprudence together: “In such a case, do you prefer sitting with them or praying?” He replied, “Rather, praying.” It is also related from him that devoting oneself to knowledge is better. I do not consider these statements contradictory. Their meaning is that seeking knowledge is better than prayer for someone who shows promise of becoming a scholarly authority, whereas prayer is better than seeking knowledge for someone who does not, provided that he already possesses the knowledge he personally requires concerning how to perform ablution, prayer, and fasting. Sahnūn said, “He must undertake whichever of the two is more demanding for him.”

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The reward for devoting oneself to knowledge is commensurate with one’s intention in doing so. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah Most High has made a person’s reward commensurate with his intention.”

Allah, glorified and exalted is He, has apportioned deeds among His servants and graciously bestowed rewards upon them. It is related that a certain devout worshipper wrote to Mālik, urging him