Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisi – rahimahullaah – began his writing with a Chapter on the Acts of Ibaadah (Al-Ibaadaat) as is found in the Ihyaa. He now began the Ibaadaat with Ilm (Knowledge) and the virtues of seeking it.
He, rahimahullaah, said:
CHAPTER ONE
Acts of worship
1. Knowledge, its Merits and what is related to it.
The importance of knowledge and the superiority of a scholar to a ignorant devout worshipper cannot be over emphasized.
Allah Ta’ala says:
قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
ِ
Say: “Are those who know equal to those who know not?” [Suratu Azzumar verses 9]
And He also says:
َ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُور
ٌ
It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah.
Surah Faatir, Verse 28
Now commenting on the status of a scholar to the ignorant devout worshipper, Ibn Abbas radiyallaahu anhuma said:
“Ulaama will have higher degrees seven hundred times compare to the other believers; and the distance between each degree is five hundred years of walking.”
From the Ahaadith,
It was transmitted and recorded in the Sahihayn in the Hadith of Mu’awiya Ibn Abi Sufyaan radiyallaahu anhu who said:
“I heard the Messenger salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said: whosoever Allah wishes good for, He bestows upon him the deep understanding of the Deen. “
Again it is reported from Usaamah – radiyallaahu anhu – who said: The Messenger salallaahu ‘alayhi was informed about two men; The first, a devout worshipper and the other, a scholar, the Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam then said:
“The superiority of the scholar to the devout worshipper is like my superior to the lowest person among you”. And the Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam also said: “Verily, Allah and His Angels, and the inhabitants of the Heavens and Earth, including the ant in its nest, and the whale in its water sends blessings upon the scholars that are teaching people virtue.”¹
In another Hadith, The messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam said: The superiority of a scholar to the devout worshiper(I.e ignorant worshiper) is like the superiority of the full moon to the other planets, and verily the Scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets, and the Prophets are not inherited of Dinaar or Dirham, but they are inherited of knowledge. Thus, whosoever holds unto it, has indeed held unto the greatest gain.”²
It was reported from Safwaan Ibn ‘Assaal radiyallaahu anhu who said: The Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam said:
“Verily, The Angels spread their wings for the knowledge seeker in reverence for what he seeks.³
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¹Transmitted and recorded by Imaam At-Tirmidhi in his Sunan #2685. Shaykh Al-Albaani declared it as Hasan in ‘Sahihu At-Targheeb Wa At-Tarheeb’ #77.
² Transmitted and recorded by Imaam At-Timidhi in his Sunan #2682 and Ibn Majah #223. Shaykh Al-Albaani declared it as Hasan in ‘Sahihu At-Targheeb Wa At-Tarheeb’ #67.
³ Transmitted and recorded by Imaam Ahmad (#4/239) and Ibn Majah #226. Shaykh Al-Albaani declared it as Sahih in ‘As-Sahihu Al-Jaami’ #1952.
Allaahu A’alam!
Baarakallaahu feekum!
