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Sunna's |
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Knowledge (01).
Introduction : A thorough examination of the Koranic verses and the prophet’s Ahadith shows the existence of many words that have a relation with knowledge among them: Fikh (understanding), thought, wisdom, argument, proof, evidence…In addition, many explicit verses incite to knowledge and upgrade the knowledgeables, for example: «Read: In the name of your Lord who created, created mankind from something which cling; read! And your Lord is the Most Noble; who taught by pen; taught mankind what he did not know» [Surat Al-Alaq/the Clinging thing, from 01to 05]. «God will raise up a rank those of you who believe and who have been granted knowledge» [Surat Al-Mujadalah/the Discussion, 11]. «And say My Lord, increase me in knowledge» [Surat Ta-Ha, 144]. «…Surely those of his servants who have knowledge fear God alone». [Surat Fātir/the originator, 28]. «We shall show them our signs on the furthest horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient that your Lord witnesses over all thing» [Surat Fussilat/Expounded, 53]. Among the major aims of knowledge we mention the following ones. ¨ The reinforcement of belief. ¨ The knowledge of the universe’ secrets. ¨ The rightness of worship and transactions. In his book Fath Al-Bari fi Charh Sahih Al-Boukhari, Ibnu Hadjar El-Askalani introduced a chapter called "knowledge before saying and doing". Allah High Exalted is He, say: «So, know that there no god but Allah». [Surat Muhammad, 09].
First: the value of knowledge in the Sunna. About ten Ahadith mentioned the importance of the acquisition of knowledge and the stature of the Ulema. Among these Ahadith we state: 1. Muaouia said: “the prophet may peace be upon him said: «The one whom Allah like make him skilled in religion». [Reported by Al-Boukhari and Muslim]. 2. Abi Edardai said: “I heard the prophet may peace be upon him said: «The one who goes along searching for knowledge, Allah facilitate to him the path to heaven, and the angels stretch their wings for the seeker of knowledge as a sign of their satisfaction with what they do. Those of the canopy Heavens and Earth and even whales in water beg forgiveness from God for the Ulema. The eminence of Ulema over the worshiper is like the prominence of the moon over the other planets. Ulemas are the heirs of the prophets, and the latters did not let any Dinar or Dirham (silver coin) but they let great knowledge and lucky and rich is the one who takes it». [Reported by Abu Daoud Etermithi]. 3. Anass said: the prophet may peace be upon him said: «the one who goes out for the sake of learning, he is under God’s protection until he returns » [reported by Etermithi]. 4. Abi Hourayra- may God be pleased with him- said: “the prophet may peace be upon him said”: «If a man died, his deeds are ceased except from three: a continuous Sadaqa (act of charity), e.g. a well for giving water to drink; a knowledge that can be a benefit for the others, and a pious son or daughter who pray for him». [Reported by Muslim]. 5. Abi Hourayra- may God be pleased with him- said: the Prophet may peace be upon him said: «The one who goes along seeking for knowledge, Allah facilitate for him the path to Heaven. If people gather in a mosque reciting Allah’s Book and studying it together, Angels surround them, quietness descend on them, mercy covers them, and they will be praised by God» [Reported by Muslim]. 6. Abdu Allah Bnu Al-Aass said: the prophet may peace be upon him said: «Allah do not seize knowledge by taking it out from people, but He seize it by the death of the Ulemas, and once all the Ulemas had passed away, people resort to ignorant persons who give advisory opinions without having knowledge of religion, so they stray and lead others astray». [Agreed on].
The sayings of the Sahaba (the prophet’s companion) may God be pleased with them. 1. Omar Bnu Al-Khatab- may God be pleased with him said: «Knowledge is three things: either a tenacious verse, guiding Sunna, or Allah know» i.e. he who does not know or is uncertain about a given matter say “Allah know”. 2. Abi Hourayra- may God be pleased with him said: «It is better for me to stay one hour learning thoroughly my religion than praying all the night». 3. Abi Ad-Daraa said: «Studying one hour is better than praying all the night». 4. Ethouri said: «After duties there is nothing better than seeking knowledge». Second: The comprehensiveness of knowledge in the Sunna. Science does not denote only religious science (religion and charia) but comprehend also the concrete science and those which are based on experiments and observation. The concrete science handles the matters; brings near the distances, and it saves energies. The divine science prevents and restrains the concrete science from being used as means of deterioration. More than fourteen Hadith deal with the medical matters (the prophetic medicine).The prophet- may peace be upon him- said: «Allah never gives a disease without a cure» [Reported by Al-Boukhari]. Among the remedies that are mentioned in the Sunna there is Cupping (Al-Hidjama). The Sunna incites people to learn all the sciences that are needed in life. Third: ethics of learning. 1. Sincere intention: it should be for the sake of the Almighty Allah. The prophet may peace be upon him said: «The reword of deeds depends upon the intention and every person will get the reword according to what he has intended» [Reported by Al-Boukhari]. «Do not learn a science in order to flaunt in front of Ulemas or to dispute with the sillies». [Reported by Ibn Madja]. «The one who learns knowledge not for the sake of Allah but rather to achieve lively objectives never sniffs Heaven’s smell in the Day of Judgment» [Reported by Abu Daoud]. 2. Continuity of learning: Allah the Great say: «…And say: my Lord, increase me in Knowledge». [Surat Ta-Ha, 114]. And in the story of Moses with Abdu Allah Elkhodhr an example of non satisfaction whatsoever the amount of knowledge you acquired. The Almighty Allah say: «Shall I follow you so that you may teach me of what you have been taught of right knowledge». [Surat Al-Kahf/the Cave, 66]. The ancestors were more interested in learning and asking for more knowledge. The famous saying was: “Learn from bed to tomb” i.e. one starts learning from his childhood till his death. Sofian bnu Ainia was asked: Who needs more Knowledge? He answered: «the most learned because a mistake from his part is abominable». 3. Feigning patience when faced with calamities: The way to acquire knowledge is very long, hard and painful. Therefore, patience is needed to overcome poverty, sleeplessness, travel hardships, and the separation of the beloved… 4. Venerating the teacher: The prophet may peace be upon him said: «There is none in my nation who does not venerate our elders, and have no mercy on our youngers and realize the real value of those who have knowledge» [Reported by Ahmed]. Veneration can be by: ¨ Attentive listening and silence. ¨ Setting down correctly and do not turning one’s back to the teacher. ¨ Asking questions in a good manner without any shyness or arrogance. Ibnu Chihab said: «Knowledge is coffers and their keys are questions» And Mudjahid said: «Knowledge can not be learnt by a diffident or an arrogant». Aicha (Prophet’s wife) may peace be upon her said: «How excellent are the assistants of Muhammad’s women, their diffidence never kept them from learning the religion» [Reported by Al-Boukhari]. |
