The Greatest Difficulty

“The greatest difficulty of knowledge is saving yourself from your knowledge.”

Imam al Ghazali

‘For the Sake of Allah Alone’ – Is it really?

March 9, 2010

As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

Ibn Taymiyyah said:

حكي أن أبا حامد الغزالي بلغه أن من أخلص لله أربعين يوما تفجرت ينابيع الحكمة من قلبه على لسانه

قال: فأخلصت أربعين يوما فلم يتفجر شيء فذكرت ذلك لبعض العارفين فقال لي: إنك إنما أخلصت للحكمة ولم تخلص لله تعالى

”… News reached Abu Hamid al-Ghazali that whoever proves sincere to Allah for forty days, wisdom springs from his heart and is established upon his tongue.

He (al-Ghazali) said, ‘So I became sincere to Allah for forty days but nothing happened so I mentioned this to a righteous person and he said to me, ‘You were not sincere for the sake of Allah, rather you were sincere for the sake of attaining wisdom.”

Ibn Taymiyyah then says:

وذلك لأن الإنسان قد يكون مقصوده نيل العلم والحكمة أو نيل المكاشفات والتأثيرات أو نيل تعظيم الناس له ومدحهم إياه أو غير ذلك من المطالب وقد عرف أن ذلك يحصل بالإخلاص لله وإرادة وجهه, فإذا قصد أن يطلب ذلك بالإخلاص لله وإرادة وجهه كان متناقضا, لأن من أراد شيئا لغيره فالثاني هو المراد المقصود بذاته, والأول يراد لكونه وسيلة إليه

فإذا قصد أن يخلص لله ليصير عالما أو عارفا أو ذا حكمة أو صاحب مكاشفات وتصرفات ونحو ذلك, فهو هنا لم يرد الله بل جعل الله وسيلة له إلى ذلك المطلوب الأدنى

“And that is because a person’s intention becomes (solely) the attainment of knowledge or wisdom, or to seek out hidden matters, or to gain popularity with the people and gain their praise etc. He knows that he can only achieve all that by being sincere to Allah and seeking His Face. So if he seeks these things (praise, gaining knowledge etc) by the token of sincerity to Allah and seeking His Face, then such a person contradicts himself because whoever seeks something (e.g. being sincere to Allah) for the sake of something else (e.g. gain understanding/knowledge), then the latter becomes his real goal and the first is just a means to that.

So if a person intends to be sincere to Allah so that he may become a scholar, or pious, or one endowed with wisdom, or one who discovers hidden realities etc, then such a person does not intend Allah, rather he has made Allah a means for him to gain that inferior matter…”

– From the book درء تعارض المنقول مع صريح المعقول by Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah).

– Incredible. It’s such a subtle difference in intention (although not always blameworthy) but it really makes one appreciate and realise the reasons why the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) feared Riyaa’ for this Ummah so much. Ibn Taymiyyah’s statement above is not really rebuking people who take such a route, but it’s highlighting the great difference between doing something for the Sake of Allah Alone and doing it in order to attain something specific (even though it may be praiseworthy and permissible). This difference is what brings out the true Mukhliseen (sincere) from the Salihin (righteous).

“They never let me go anywhere!”

Bismillah walhamdu lillah

This complaint is one that is probably more common from the sisters. I know for me personally, when I first decided to be serious about the deen, I had this tremendous desire to attend lectures, take notes in my Islamic notebook and be surrounded by other serious Muslims. I would make sure not to miss any of the events or lectures that were offered by my college MSA. But when it came to attending stuff outside the small perimeter of the campus, the answer from my parents was usually a “no.” At one point, it became such that the answer was even a “no” for events on campus! I mention this not to complain, but because I am pretty sure there are other sisters out there who are going through something like this. I felt like everyone else had it so easy. They probably just had to “tell” their parents they were leaving, not even asking them for permission. This is how I used to think.

This post is not so that I can tell you that it gets better. Even though it does get better, assuming you meet certain conditions (patient perseverance, among other things) inshaa Allah. But if your family is like mine, it will still take some time. And when you are someone who has just been granted hidaya, you can’t help but feel sad when you think about all the time you spent doing wasteful and/or impermissible actions. Now you just want to be left in your room to read books and articles and pray and make du’aa. The last thing you want to hear me say is, “it will take time.”

So hear this: Sisters (or brothers, if you have a similar problem), if you are sincere about learning the deen, then stop fighting with your parents so that you can attend the local classes and sit in the gatherings. There are plenty of resources online that we can utilize, and the person who fails to take advantage of that which is available to them, needs to question their sincerity in seeking knowledge. Is it really to gain a better understanding of Islam, or is there some other motive involved? I know for me, sometimes I just wanted to go out there and see for myself that I wasn’t alone. That there really were other “practicing” Muslims out there. But honestly, that reason was/is not enough. I am telling you, you’re not alone. There are others out there just like you.

Now that we understand that, begin to take advantage of what you have available at your fingertips. You can order Islamic books online instead of going to the bookstore. You can listen to online lectures and full series on websites. You can even attend classes and earn degrees, right out of the comfort of your home! It really is an amazing time that we are living in, in terms of technological advancements and using it to learn the deen.

This doesn’t mean that you should give up attending Islamic courses and gatherings of dhikr. Don’t completely isolate yourself from the community. Attend, but with moderation. And continue to make du’aa and appeal to your parents. But don’t sit around and wait for them to say “yes,” when you know that you have other outlets of Islamic knowledge that they would be more accepting of. (You can check out my right-side bar for links that will lead you to what you are in search for inshaa Allah.)

waAllahu Alam

 

Encouragement to seek knowledge during breaks from work and school

This summer we have so much free time and we should make sure to use it all for the sake of Allah, how shameful is the affair of the person who spends his summer watching reruns of “Friends” or some reality shows, or playing video games… and how honorable is the affair of a person who spends his summer coming closer to the Most Honorable (SWT), learning the way of His Messenger (SAW), memorizing His (SWT) book, softening his own heart, illuminating his own face; just as the Messenger (SAW) said, “May Allah illuminate the person who hears my sayings and retains it, and conveys it as he heard it…”

Scholars in different areas have different methods of studying, not all methods are alike. For example, search this blog for the post titled “Methods of Memorization in Mauritania.”

SubhanAllah, hearing and reading about the way of the Scholars, the things they did and how far they reach, you would feel as if we’re fighting for coins (in terms of ajr), while they’re taking all the ajr in caravans.

One of the study methods of the scholars is as such: Lets start the day at Fajr. Between the times of Fajr and Dhuhr, during this time they would study the books of the scholars as well as Hadith. Between Dhuhr and Isha’ would be the time for reviewing Qura’n [in our case, memorizing and reviewing :( ]. Between Isha’ and Fajr, this would be a time for some sleep as well as Qiyam ul layl. (this is all generally speaking, for example there is athkar al masa’ wasabah, as well as taking a nap after dhuhr, etc)

Thats it, very simple but very effective. As Shiekh Bakr Abu Zaid (RA) as well as others say, learn the deen before the responsibilities of life hit you. Sadly, many of us did not take heed to this. Many of us are not so free to have our whole days set up for learning what we should already know, but still, we have some free time and we should use this free time to achieve this goal and among us are some who do not have too many responsibilities to bear. Take and use the free time you have now before it leaves you, May Allah increase us in knowledge and guidance.

Just like a man who stands on a mountaintop looking onto the horizon, he says “The road is indeed very long”, he traverses through the road but before he knows it he cannot even see the mountain that he stood on anymore. Similarly, Dont look onto the summer and say “The road is indeed very long, the time I have is abundant”, then a time comes where you look back at the summer…Not even able to see it anymore.

The more a person increases in knowledge…

The Shaykh (rahima-hullaah) mentions:

“There is no doubt, the more a person increases in knowledge, naturally he increases in learning and differentiating the truth from the falsehood, and the harmful from the beneficial, and like this he reaches a level whereby Allaah bestows understanding upon him.

This is because taqwa is a means for strengthening understanding, and strong understanding assists in increasing knowledge.

So you see two men memorizing an aayah from the Book of Allaah, one of them can extract from it three rulings, whilst the other is able to extract more than this, according to that which Allaah has blessed him with in understanding.”

[Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen|Kitaabul-‘Ilm]

Knowledge is not in being able to narrate much and in having many books by Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan

knowledge is not in being able to narrate much and in having many books – Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan’s explanation of Sharhus-Sunnah of Imaam Al-Barabahaaree

AbdurRahman.org | March 10, 2011 at 10:21 PM | Categories: Ilm, Islam, Sunnah | URL: http://wp.me/p1VJ3-wW

Here is a beautiful excerpt from Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan’s explanation of Sharhus-Sunnah of Imaam Al-Barabahaaree, taken from last week’s lesson of Aboo Talhah Daawood Burbank.

The author (Imaam Al-Barbahaaree) rahimahullaah said:

And know, may Allaah have mercy upon you that knowledge is not in being able to narrate much and in having many books, rather the scholar is the one who follows the knowledge and the sunnahs (in some versions: the Book and the Sunnah) even if his knowledge and his books are limited and whoever opposes the Book and the Sunnah then he is a person of innovation, even if he narrates much and has many books.

(Shaykh Saalih Al-Fowzaan hafizahullaah said in explanation of this point:)

His saying: And know, may Allaah have mercy upon you, that knowledge is not in being able to narrate much and in having many books.  `Ilm (knowledge) is not in knowing many things and reading much and having many books.  Knowledge is only through having fiqh (knowledge and understanding) and through ittibaa’(following) and in ‘amal (action upon it), even if the person has only a little knowledge.  So a small amount of knowledge along with righteous action and with correct understanding of the religion is something that is much.  Whereas having a lot of knowledge with little action and without following, there is no benefit in it. So the Jews have amongst them people of knowledge, they have rabbis and yet despite this their knowledge does not benefit them and they became those upon whom there is anger because they disobeyed Allaah upon knowledge and insight, so what is intended is not to have a large amount of knowledge and to have read many things, what is intended is action.  This is what is intended by knowledge and this is the path of those upon whom Allaah has bestowed his favour.  Just as He the Most High said (the explanation of which is), ‘Guide us upon the straight path, the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favour’ and they are the people of knowledge and action. ‘Not the path of those whom You are angry with’and they are those who possess knowledge without action. ‘Nor the path of those who are astray’ [Sooratul-Faatihah, verses 6-7] and they are those who act without knowledge.  So therefore knowledge will not benefit unless it is with action and action will not benefit unless it is along with knowledge. So knowledge and action must be combined and this is the path of those who have favour bestowed upon them.

His saying:  And rather the scholar is just the one who follows (applies) the knowledge and the sunnahs even if he only has a small amount of knowledge and of books.  The scholar is only the one who follows the book and the sunnahs even if he has only acquired a small amount of knowledge, contrary to the case of someone who has acquired a great deal of knowledge or who has many and various books, however he does not act, then this there is no benefit in it.  Knowledge becomes much and it increases and it grows along with righteous deeds.  As for knowledge without action then it is stripped of blessing and it will not remain.

And the people of knowledge are of two categories:

The first one: those who are scholars with the tongue only

The second one: those who are scholars with the tongue and with the heart and they are the people of al-khashyah (fear of Allaah). He the Most High said (the explanation of which is), ‘It is only those who have knowledge amongst His servants who fear Allaah’ [Soorah Faatir, verse 28].  So having knowledge and fear (of Allaah), these two are al-`ilmus-saheeh, correct knowledge.  As for just knowledge of the tongue without fear of Allaah then this is the knowledge of the hypocrites, we ask Allaah for safety and security…

…Allaah the Most High said with regard to the Jews (the explanation of which is), ‘The example of those who were given the duty of acting upon the Tawraat and then they did not act upon it is just like the example of a donkey carrying volumes of books.’ [Sooratul-Jumu’ah, verse 5].  So the person who has a huge library but he abandons action or he is an innovator, his example is that of a donkey which carries books and does not benefit from them.

End of Quote.

Related Links :

Correcting the two strengths of knowledge and action – Shaykh Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah
Taken from ‘Miftah dar as-Sa’ada’(key to the land of happiness) . Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya

A Precious and Valuable Gem: The (Religious) Scholar Whose Deeds are Inconsistent with his Knowledge – Imam Ibn al Qayyim

A Precious Gem: The Ignorant Worshipper and the Immoral (Religious) Scholar – Ibn al QayyimKn

Seeking Knowledge from “The Book of Knowledge” by Shaykh Ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen

Source:  The Book of Knowledge, Al-Allaamah Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al-Uthaymeen, pg.33

Seeking knowledge of the Sharee’ah is a collective obligation (fard kifaayah). So if someone performs this act, then his act suffices for the rest, and (it’s performance) then becomes a preferable act (Sunnah) for the rest.  In certain cases it could also be that the seeking of knowledge is obligatory (fard ‘ayn – individual obligation) upon some.

It’s principle is that when the need to perform an act or to uphold a transaction befalls upon the servant, then it becomes obligatory upon him in this state to know how to engage in the worship of Allah by this act, and how to uphold this transaction, and any other actions besides these, such as seeking knowledge, are regarded as a collective obligation (fard kifaayah).

It is befitting for the student of knowledge to be conscious that he is upholding the collective obligation whilst seeking knowledge such that he gains the reward for performing this obligation as well as gaining knowledge.

There is no doubt that seeking knowledge is amongst the most virtuous acts, moreover, it is from jihaad in the path of Allah; Especially in this day and age of ours, where innovations have emerged in the Islaamic society and have increased and become widespread; and the emergence of extreme ignorance from those who aspire to pass religious verdicts (fataawa) without sound knowledge; and the emergence of disputing between many people. So all of these three issues illustrate the importance upon the youth to seek knowledge.

Firstly, the emergence of innovation and it’s evil effects;

Secondly, people aspiring to pass religious verdicts (fataawa) without sound knowledge;

Thirdly, much disputing in religious matters, such that when a matter is clear for the people of knowledge, you find those who lack sound knowledge coming forward and disputing about it.

So, because of this, we are in need of people of  knowledge who are firm, upright, and possess an abundance of knowledge and understanding of the Religion of Allah, and have wisdom in advising the servants of Allah. Many people nowadays are aquiring theoretical knowledge in religious matters whilst no importance is attached to reforming and improving the people nor their education. And if they pass religious verdicts (fataawa) regarding this and that, then this becomes a means to great evil whereby no-one knows its true intent except Allah .

Sisters Upon Al-Istiqaamah

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