Hadeeth
Fourteen: Knowledge for Knowledge
From
Jaabir (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) who said that Allaah’s Messenger (
)
said:
Do
not acquire knowledge in order to compete with the scholars, nor to argue with
the ignorant, nor to gain mastery over the gatherings. Since whoever does that,
then: The Fire! The Fire![1]
The
Muslim does not seek knowledge in order to gain mastery of the gatherings nor to
contend with the ignorant, nor to harass the scholars! This is not from the
personality of the Muslim. Rather he seeks knowledge for Allaah, having no
partner. He does not do so far any personal gain, nor is there any share for
anyone else in that.
Consider,
may Allaah have mercy on you, the admonition and the lesson contained in what
Ibn Abee Haatim ar-Raazee narrates, he said: I entered into Damascus upon the
students of hadeeth and I passed by the circle of Qaasim al-Joo‘ee. I found a
group sitting around him and he was speaking. Their appearance amazed me and I
heard him saying: ‘Seize the benefit of five things from the people of your
time: when you are present you are not known; when you are absent you are not
missed; when you are seen your advice is not sought; when you say something your
saying is not accepted; and when you have some knowledge you are not given
anything for it. I also advise you with five things: when you are treated
unjustly then do not behave unjustly; when you are praised then do not become
happy; when you are criticised do not be upset; when you are not believed then
do not become angry; and if they act deceitfully towards you do not act
deceitfully towards them.’ Ibn Abee Haatim said: So I took that as my
benefit from Damascus.
So
consider, may Allaah protect us and you from the evils of the soul, how sincere
desire for knowledge and benefit led him to listen to one who certainly
possessed less knowledge than himself in order to benefit his understanding and
to acquire some knowledge. Another matter that must be mentioned here is that:
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Notes:
