معالم إرشادية لصناعة طالب العلم ( الجزء الثاني)
(Part 2 : Chapter 1 Summary)
Chapter One: بيان العلم المقصود هنا واهميته وفضله
Beneficial Sharia Knowledge: Indeed, the very first and ultimate teacher for humanity, created from a clot of blood, is Allah Himself. He taught them through the pen, imparting knowledge that they did not previously possess. The author then references the initial three verses of Surah Alaq. In essence, he conveys that while discussing the advantages of Sharia knowledge, he does not negate the value of other fields of study. Shaykh Awwamah elaborates on the concept that any knowledge leading one to a closer relationship with Allah is deemed honorable and significant. For instance, if pursuing the study of medicine strengthens one's connection with Allah, it elevates that knowledge as the most honorable and important for that individual.
He then explains why Muhammad (SAW) solely focused on teaching the Quran and Sunnah. These sources were divine revelations through which the ummah could attain eternal blessings, serving as the ultimate goal. The author proceeds to discuss why the Sahabah did not require additional sciences such as sarf (grammar), nahw (syntax), usool fiqh (principles of jurisprudence), and related fields.
The Sahabah's profound knowledge and understanding of the Quran and Sunnah eliminated the need for extensive study in other disciplines. Living during the time of revelation made them self-sufficient in matters of fiqh and basic sciences. Whenever they encountered difficulties, they would simply consult Muhammad (SAW) . Their comprehensive understanding of the Quranic language and the context of revelation meant that they did not have to delve into seerah (biography) or Maghazi (military expeditions). As the companions of Muhammad (SAW), they actively participated in battles and accompanied him on expeditions, contributing to the narrative of seerah and the laws of warfare firsthand.
The Sahabah's proficiency in Arabic, being their mother tongue, and their eloquence negated the necessity for formal language studies. Likewise, the conditions of the time did not mandate the study of logic or other sciences. Consequently, their deep connection with the Quran and Hadith rendered additional sciences irrelevant, as emphasized in Surah Nahl, Ayah 44.
The author then mentions a dua that he used to read and suggests that each student should recite it before beginning to read a book or after completing one. The author is confident that this dua will help retain the information in the book. The dua is: سُبْحانَ اللّٰهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَ لا إِلٰهَ إِلّا اللّٰهُ وَ اللّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ وَ لا حَوْلَ وَ لا قُوَّةَ إِلّا بِاللّٰهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ عَدَدَ كُلِّ حَرْفٍ كُتِبَ وَ عَدَدَ كُلِّ حَرْفٍ يُّكْتَبُ إِلىٰ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
The practicality of attaining knowledge is based on these four foundations:
The syllabus.
A dedicated student.
The need for a teacher.
The method of teaching.
He then mentions that there is a strong link between these four fundamental components. There are different pieces of advice for the students and the teachers, and those pieces of advice for the teachers will ultimately help the students. He then goes on to explain each fundamental. He says that one way a person can tell if the syllabus is good is based on the subject matter. In regards to religious knowledge, the subject matter is the Quran and Sunnah, and therefore it is the best knowledge present. The honor of a student will be based on the knowledge he is seeking. A teacher’s honor is based on what he is teaching and on what it embeds within a person. If the knowledge is making the person good and instilling qualities, then it will be honorable. Had it not been for these foundations, the religion would have been extinct.
Al-Tabarani and Al-Bazzar narrated in Al-Thagheer from the hadith of Abu Bakrah with a weak chain: "Seek knowledge as a learner, a listener, or a lover, but do not be the fifth (type) lest you perish, (the fifth type being) an opponent. And beyond these four, (there are those) who guide people, serve their families, disseminate knowledge through writing, establish schools, or spend money to support students and similar efforts.
There are two pillars or ways through which a person can study the laws of Shariah. The first way is through the primary sources: the Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas. Any Islamic ruling must be derived from these four sources and nothing else.
The second way is through the brilliance and light in a student who internalizes it in his heart by studying these four sources. This light is embedded in his heart based on how much fear of Allah he has, which is manifested through his actions. Such a student becomes a living embodiment of following the Shariah out of the fear of Allah.
Knowledge is the light and radiance that Allah guides through whom He wills, according to Imam Malik. Your job is not to say that I am dumb or that Allah didn't write success for me, but rather to try hard and make dua. So, make an effort on your part. It is not about quoting or knowing a lot of Islamic laws or the Deen. Knowledge is not just about knowing too much; it is about application and the knowledge that brings the fear of Allah. Therefore, you should ask Allah to grant you beneficial knowledge and ask for protection against knowledge that does not benefit. Here is a following dua that the Prophet (SAW) would pray after Fajr, “اللهم إني أسألك علماً نافعاً، ورزقاً طيباً، وعملاً متقبلاً.” One should read this dua frequently. This prophetic dua is needed or necessary for every Muslim, no matter what field they are in or what they are doing.
Warning Against Knowledge That is Not Beneficial
Shaykh Awwamah mentions that a student of knowledge should be very careful about the type of knowledge he seeks and should avoid knowledge that is not beneficial, as it can lead one astray. This is very important as many students fall into traps. There are some ways a student of knowledge can avoid this. He should keep a check on himself and check his intentions before time lapses. A few things that can keep one vigilant are reading the treatises of Imam Zahabi (may Allah have mercy on him). One book a person should read is "Bayan Zaghl al-'Ilm wa al-Talab." Firstly, he mentions to be knowledgeable, secondly to be someone who acts upon the knowledge and isn't just all talk. Those who claim to be knowledgeable in jurisprudence and hadith are warned to stay away from more than the people of ignorance. This is because when an ignorant person makes a ruling or says something inconsistent with Islam, people may recognize it as strange and new, but if the same information is said by a scholar, whether it is a maulana, apa, mufti, etc., it holds weight. In such cases, a proper scholar would need to intervene and correct the wrong ruling. He then cites Hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the first few individuals to be interrogated would be the one who sacrificed his life in the path of Allah, a scholar who is teaching others, and a wealthy person who gives charity. The Hadith is mentioned below.
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبٍ الْحَارِثِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، حَدَّثَنِي يُونُسُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، قَالَ تَفَرَّقَ النَّاسُ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، فَقَالَ لَهُ نَاتِلُ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ أَيُّهَا الشَّيْخُ حَدِّثْنَا حَدِيثًا سَمِعْتَهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ نَعَمْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّ أَوَّلَ النَّاسِ يُقْضَى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ اسْتُشْهِدَ فَأُتِيَ بِهِ فَعَرَّفَهُ نِعَمَهُ فَعَرَفَهَا قَالَ فَمَا عَمِلْتَ فِيهَا قَالَ قَاتَلْتُ فِيكَ حَتَّى اسْتُشْهِدْتُ . قَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّكَ قَاتَلْتَ لأَنْ يُقَالَ جَرِيءٌ . فَقَدْ قِيلَ . ثُمَّ أُمِرَ بِهِ فَسُحِبَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ حَتَّى أُلْقِيَ فِي النَّارِ وَرَجُلٌ تَعَلَّمَ الْعِلْمَ وَعَلَّمَهُ وَقَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فَأُتِيَ بِهِ فَعَرَّفَهُ نِعَمَهُ فَعَرَفَهَا قَالَ فَمَا عَمِلْتَ فِيهَا قَالَ تَعَلَّمْتُ الْعِلْمَ وَعَلَّمْتُهُ وَقَرَأْتُ فِيكَ الْقُرْآنَ . قَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّكَ تَعَلَّمْتَ الْعِلْمَ لِيُقَالَ عَالِمٌ . وَقَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ لِيُقَالَ هُوَ قَارِئٌ . فَقَدْ قِيلَ ثُمَّ أُمِرَ بِهِ فَسُحِبَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ حَتَّى أُلْقِيَ فِي النَّارِ . وَرَجُلٌ وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَعْطَاهُ مِنْ أَصْنَافِ الْمَالِ كُلِّهِ فَأُتِيَ بِهِ فَعَرَّفَهُ نِعَمَهُ فَعَرَفَهَا قَالَ فَمَا عَمِلْتَ فِيهَا قَالَ مَا تَرَكْتُ مِنْ سَبِيلٍ تُحِبُّ أَنْ يُنْفَقَ فِيهَا إِلاَّ أَنْفَقْتُ فِيهَا لَكَ قَالَ كَذَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّكَ فَعَلْتَ لِيُقَالَ هُوَ جَوَادٌ . فَقَدْ قِيلَ ثُمَّ أُمِرَ بِهِ فَسُحِبَ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ ثُمَّ أُلْقِيَ فِي النَّارِ " .
It has been narrated on the authority of Sulaiman b. Yasar who said:
People dispersed from around Abu Huraira, and Natil, who was from the Syrians. said to him: O Shaikh, relate (to us) a tradition you have heard from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He said: Yes. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The first of men (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgment will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought (before the Judgment Seat). Allah will make him recount His blessings (i. e. the blessings which He had bestowed upon him) and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his life). (Then) will Allah say: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I fought for Thee until I died as a martyr. Allah will say: You have told a lie. You fought that you might be called a" brave warrior". And you were called so. (Then) orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hell. Then will be brought forward a man who acquired knowledge and imparted it (to others) and recited the Qur'an. He will be brought And Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Then will Allah ask: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I acquired knowledge and disseminated it and recited the Qur'an seeking Thy pleasure. Allah will say: You have told a lie. You acquired knowledge so that you might be called" a scholar," and you recited the Qur'an so that it might be said:" He is a Qari" and such has been said. Then orders will be passed against him and he shall be dragged with his face downward and cast into the Fire. Then will be brought a man whom Allah had made abundantly rich and had granted every kind of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them and (admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Allah will (then) ask: What have you done (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I spent money in every cause in which Thou wished that it should be spent. Allah will say: You are lying. You did (so) that it might be said about (You):" He is a generous fellow" and so it was said. Then will Allah pass orders and he will be dragged with his face downward and thrown into Hell. (Sahih Muslim 1905a: Book 33, Hadith 218)
After mentioning all of this, Shaykh Awwamah emphasizes how one can protect oneself. A student of knowledge should have the intention for Allah and then the pleasure of Allah. His intention for learning that science, the lessons, and everything that encompasses in it should be solely for Allah, to the extent that even his coming, going, and buying of books should be solely for Allah. This concept should be kept in mind, especially for those who own social media accounts and post about their journey in this field. It is very easy for one to deviate or walk out of the path over such a small matter.
When it comes to choosing your mentors, it should be done for the pleasure of Allah. You should love your scholars only for the love of Allah. Choose a scholar who, when you listen to them, reminds you of Allah and brings you closer to Allah. They should call you to Allah and not to themselves. Whatever you learn, whether big or small, make an effort to bring it into your life. Hasten towards the good, and if something is mentioned that one should stay away from, run away from that thing or try your best to avoid it.
One doesn't need to spend many years or delve into multiple fields to be a knowledgeable scholar who also acts upon the knowledge. Start with something small, then try to encompass bigger things in your life that you can act upon from your lessons. Recheck your intention every single morning before you head out to the madrasa.
A student should be cautious of a few things in this generation:
Avoid unnecessary small talk and debates/discussions.
Refrain from asking too many questions (it is good to ask beneficial questions, but one should steer clear of asking unnecessary questions).
Avoid unnecessary and mindless speaking.
Resist coming up with strange rulings just to appeal to an audience or to present something new and unique.
Quote from books that are accessible for people to reference, rather than from books that others cannot easily access and verify.
Avoid doing or posting things solely to be recognized as knowledgeable or wise.
Students are advised to read more books, including those about the pious predecessors, biographies, and books relevant to the current year of study. Here are a few book recommendations suggested by Shaykh Awwamah:
Before ending the chapter, he mentions that being knowledgeable isn't about how much knowledge you possess or what you know, but it's about how much of that knowledge you internalize. For example, if a scholar is given a sanad but is sinning, does it give one the right to deny his authority? Not really. We are all sinners unless he denies some core fundamentals like Aqidah openly. Even then, it should be discussed with elder scholars. No one has the right to point fingers at others but should rather reflect on themselves and see how much they are incorporating knowledge into their lives. Therefore, one should ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek protection from knowledge that is not beneficial and from knowledge that harms you. Harmful knowledge is that which is not beneficial and is harmful because a person is spending their time and wealth on knowledge that will not benefit them in the hereafter; they are harming themselves. Beneficial knowledge is that which brings you closer to Allah, cleanses your ego, increases your love for the prophets and scholars, and guides you to deal with challenges according to the Sunnah.
May Allah grant me first and foremost, than all of us all the ability to act upon what was mentioned and said. Ameen!
…….والله ولي التوفيق وهو الغفور الرحيم جزاك الله خيرا على القراءة…