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Introduction to Howzah Studies
Lesson 3
Merits of Knowledge as described in the
Narrations of the Infallibles (a.s.)
By Sheikh Safdar Razi
Obligation
The Prophet (S) said:
• “Acquiring knowledge is an obligation
for every male and female Muslim.
Certainly Allah loves those who have
a desire for knowledge.”
• “If the seeker of knowledge dies while
seeking knowledge, then he will be
considered a martyr.”
Seekers of knowledge are
better than martyrs:
• Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) said:
“Allah prefers the ink of the scholar
over the blood of the martyr.”
• The Prophet (S) said:
“Whosoever goes forth to seek
knowledge, is like a person who goes
to defend Islam in Jihaad, until he
returns.”
Path to Paradise
The Prophet (S) said:
• “Whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah
(swt) will take that person to the path of Paradise,
for the angels will stretch out their wings for the
seekers of knowledge.”
• “Allah eases the path (of those seeking
knowledge) to Paradise.”
The scholar is better than the worshipper.
(Literal worship, not metaphorical.)
Other sayings of the Prophet (a.s.) are:
• “The similarity of the virtue of a
scholar over the virtue of a
worshipper, is like the full moon over
the stars.”
• “Verily the scholars are the inheritors
of the Prophets (a.s.), who do not
leave [pounds and pennies], but
leave knowledge instead.”
Knowledge is Better than Charity
• The Prophet (S) says:
" Whosoever acquires knowledge is similar to a
person who fasts during the daytime and a
person who worships in the nighttime. And
learning a chapter of knowledge by a person is
better than offering charity in the amount of
ABU QUBAIS (a huge mountain in Mecca) of
all gold for the sake of Allah.”
• Some narrations mention that teaching is the
best charity.
Double Reward for Those Seeking
Knowledge.
• The Prophet (S) says:
“Whosoever seeks knowledge and obtains it,
will be rewarded by Allah in double, and
whosoever seeks knowledge and was not
able to obtain it, will be rewarded by Allah in
single.”
The Seeker of Knowledge will be with the
Prophets (a.s.) in Paradise
• The Prophet (S) says:
“If a person dies while seeking knowledge for
the sake of Islam's survival, then in Paradise
there will only be a difference of one level
between him and the Prophets (a.s.).”
Knowledge is Counted as
40 Years of Worship
• The Prophet (S) says:
”Whoever goes forth to seek a
chapter of knowledge, in order
to convert wrong to right and
lead the strayed ones to
guidance, then his deed will be
counted as a worship of 40
years.”
Knowledge is Better than Everything.
The Prophet (S) says:
• “O Ali, if Allah guides one person
through you, then that will be much
better for you than the whole world
and whatever it contains.”
• “Little knowledge is better than
abundant worship.”
Continuous Reward After Death
If a descendent of Adam (a.s.) dies, his deeds will
stop, except for three things:
• Flowing Charity
• Beneficial knowledge
• A pious son who prays for him
The Best Gift is Knowledge
• The Prophet (S) says:
“There is no better gift a Muslim can present
to his brother than a word of wisdom which
through it, Allah increases the guidance, and
prevents him from doing evil.”
Reward of Others
“Whoever invites others towards
guidance will receive the reward of
all who followed him. And, those
who followed him will not have a
decrease in their rewards. Whoever
invites people to go astray will share
the sins of all who followed him.
And, those who followed him will not
have a decrease in their sins.”
Knowledge Versus Wealth
Imam Ali (a.s.) says:
“Knowledge is better than wealth because:
• Knowledge protects you, but you have to
protect the wealth.
• Wealth decreases by spending, and
knowledge increases by spreading.”
Other Similar Hadeeths:
• Knowledge is the inheritance of the
Prophet (a.s.), and wealth is the
inheritance of the Pharoahs.
• Knowledge enters the shroud (kaffan),
and wealth is left in this world (dunya).
• Wealth can be achieved by the
believer and the nonbeliever, but
knowledge is achieved only by the
believer.
Continued…
• Everyone needs a scholar for their
religious affairs, but do not need the
wealthy (for it).
• Knowledge strengthens a person to
walk on the bridge of siraat, and
wealth prevents him from doing so
(due to the accountability for his
wealth).
Burning Candle
• The scholar is like a burning candle, which is
consumed completely to give light to others.
• We ask Allah to give us knowledge with
patience and control of our ego.
AMEEN.