A THOUGHT PROVOKING

COLLECTION OF

40 HADITH
ON KNOWLEDGE

Compiled by:
JUSTIN PAROTT
(ABU AMINA ELIAS)

Edited by: Australian Islamic Library

WWW.AUSTRALIANISLAMICLIBRARY.ORG
Forty Hadith on Knowledge

Compiled and translated by:

Abu Amina Elias (Justin Parrott)

ABOUT THE COMPILER
Abu Amina Elias (Justin Parrott)

Abu Amina’s holds MRes in Islamic Studies from University of Wales.

His other qualifications include BA in Physics, English from Otterbein
University, and MLIS from Kent State University. He has travelled
around the world and interacted with people from various
backgrounds and faiths which provides him the depth of
understanding that is an essential requirement for Islamic studies
researchers. His main speciality is the translation of hadith and
classical Islamic texts.

He is currently serving as the Research Librarian for Middle East

Studies at NYU in Abu Dhabi. In addition, he also serves as a research
associate at Yaqeen Institute and has authored a number of inspiring
articles and publications.

His research profiles:

Academia Profile: https://nyuad.academia.edu/JustinParrott

Personal Website: https://abuaminaelias.com/
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

Hadith 1

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings
be upon him, said:

‫يضةٌ َعلَى ُك ِِّل ُم ْسلِم‬ ِ َ‫طَل‬

َ ‫ب الْع ْل ِم فَ ِر‬
ُ
Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 224, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 2

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

ِ ِ َّ ‫ك طَ ِري ًقا ي لْت ِمس فِ ِيه ِع ْلما س َّهل‬

‫اجتَ َم َع قَ ْوٌم ِف بَْيت‬ ْ ‫اَّللُ لَهُ بِه طَ ِري ًقا إِ ََل ا ْْلَنَّة َوَما‬ َ َ ً ُ ََ َ َ‫َوَم ْن َسل‬
‫الس ِكينَةُ َو َغ ِشيَ ْت ُه ُم‬ َِّ ‫اَّللِ ي ْت لُو َن كِتاب‬ ِ ِ
َّ ‫ت َعلَْي ِه ُم‬ ْ َ‫اَّلل َويَتَ َد َار ُسونَهُ بَْي نَ ُه ْم إِالَّ نََزل‬ َ َ َ َّ ‫م ْن بُيُوت‬
ِ ِ‫اَّلل ف‬ ِ
ُ‫يم ْن عْن َده‬
َ َُّ ‫الر ْْحَةُ َو َحفَّْت ُه ُم الْ َمالَئ َكةُ َوذَ َكَرُه ُم‬
َّ
Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy
for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of
Allah, reciting the book of Allah and studying it together, but that
tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will
surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near him.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2699, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 3

Abu Darda reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be

upon him, said:

ِ ‫السمو‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ‫وإِ َّن الْم َالئِ َكة لَتضع أَجنِحت ها ِر‬

‫ات‬ َ َ َّ ‫ضا لطَالب الْع ْلم َوإ َّن الْ َعاِلَ لَيَ ْستَ ْغفُر لَهُ َم ْن ف‬ ً َ ََ ْ ُ َ َ َ َ َ
ِ ِ ِ ِ ‫اْلِيتا ُن ِف جو‬
ْ ‫ض َل الْ َعاِل َعلَى الْ َعابِد َك َف‬
َ‫ض ِل الْ َق َم ِر لَْي لَة‬ ْ َ‫ف الْ َماء َوإِ َّن ف‬ َْ َ ْ ‫ض َو‬ ِ ‫َوَم ْن ِف ْاْل َْر‬
‫ب َوإِ َّن الْعُلَ َماءَ َوَرثَةُ ْاْلَنْبِيَ ِاء َوإِ َّن ْاْلَنْبِيَاءَ َِلْ يُ َوِِّرثُوا ِدينَ ًارا َوَال ِد ْرََهًا‬ِ ِ‫الْبَ ْد ِر َعلَى َسائِِر الْ َكواك‬
َ
ِ‫ظ وافر‬ ِ ِ
َ ِّ َ‫َخ َذ ِب‬َ ‫َخ َذهُ أ‬
َ ‫َوَّرثُوا الْع ْل َم فَ َم ْن أ‬

Verily, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge. The
inhabitants of the heavens and earth, even the fish in the depths of
the water, seek forgiveness for the scholar. The virtue of the scholar
over the worshiper is like the superiority of the moon over the stars.
The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. They do not leave
behind gold or silver coins, but rather they leave behind knowledge.
Whoever has taken hold of it has been given an abundant share.

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3641, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 4

Abu Umamah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

ِ ِ َّ ‫اَّلل وم َالئِ َكته وأَهل‬ ِ ِ ‫فَضل الْع ِاِل علَى الْعابِ ِد َك َف‬
‫ني‬
َ ‫الس َم َوات َو ْاْل ََرض‬ َ ْ َ ُ َ َ َ ََّ ‫ضلي َعلَى أ َْد ََن ُك ْم إ َّن‬ ْ َ َ َ ُْ
‫اْلَْ َي‬ ِ ‫صلُّو َن َعلَى ُم َعلِِِّم الن‬
ْ ‫َّاس‬ َ ُ‫وت لَي‬ ْ ‫َح ََّّت الن َّْملَةَ ِف ُج ْح ِرَها َو َح ََّّت‬
َ ُ‫اْل‬

The virtue of the scholar over the worshiper is like my virtue over the
least of you. Verily, Allah, his angels, the inhabitants of the heavens
and earth, even the ant in his hole and the fish, send blessings upon
the one who teaches people what is good.

Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

ِ ‫السمو‬
‫ات‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ
َ َ َّ ‫َعاِلٌ َعام ٌل ُم َعلِّ ٌم يُ ْد َعى َكب ًيا ف َملَ ُكوت‬
A scholar who works in teaching has a high status in the domain of
the heavens.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2685, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 5

Mu’awiyah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be

upon him, said:
ِِّ ‫اَّلل بِِه خيا ي َف ِِّقهه ِف‬
‫الدي ِن‬ ُ ْ ُ ً ْ َ َُّ ‫َم ْن يُِرْد‬

If Allah intends goodness for someone, he gives him understanding of

the religion.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 71, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

In another narration, the Prophet said:

ِِّ ‫اَّلل بِِه خيا ي َف ِِّقهه ِف‬

‫الدي ِن َوإََِّّنَا‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ
َ ‫َّاس إََِّّنَا الْع ْل ُم ِِبلت‬
ُ ْ ُ ً ْ َ َُّ ‫َّعلُِّم َوالْف ْقهُ ِِبلتَّ َفقُّه َوَم ْن يُِرد‬ ُ ‫ََي أَيُّ َها الن‬
ِ ِ ِ ِ َّ ‫ََيْشى‬
ُ‫اَّللَ م ْن عبَاده الْ ُعلَ َماء‬ َ

O people, knowledge only comes by learning and understanding only

comes by seeking understanding. For whomever Allah intends good,
he gives him understanding of the religion. Verily, only those with
knowledge fear Allah among his servants. (35:28)

Source: al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 929, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 6

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

‫َخ َالقًا إِذَا فَ ُق ُهوا‬ ِ ‫خيُكم إِس َالما أ‬

ْ ‫َحاسنُ ُك ْم أ‬
َ ً ْ ْ ُْ َ
The best of you in Islam are those with the best character, if they
have religious understanding.

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 9880, Grade: Sahih

Malik ibn Anas, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

‫ب الْعِْل َم أَ ْن يَ ُكو َن لَهُ َوقَ ٌار َو َس ِكينَةٌ َو َخ ْشيَةٌ َوأَ ْن يَ ُكو َن ُمتَّبِ ًعا آل ََث ِر َم ْن‬ ِ
َ َ‫إ َّن َحقًّا َعلَى َم ْن طَل‬
ُ‫ضى قَ ْب لَه‬
َ ‫َم‬

Verily, it is the duty of a student of knowledge to behave with dignity,

tranquility, and reverence, and to follow the way of those who came
before him.

Source: Jāmi’ Bayān al-‘Ilm 619

Hadith 7

Abu Musa reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
said:

‫ت ِمْن َها‬ ْ َ‫ضا فَ َكان‬ ً ‫اب أ َْر‬َ ‫َص‬

ِ ِ ِِ َّ ‫إِ َّن مثَل ما ب عثَِِن‬
َ ‫اَّللُ به َعَّز َو َج َّل م ْن ا ْْلَُدى َوالْع ْل ِم َك َمثَ ِل َغْيث أ‬ َ ََ َ َ َ
‫ت‬ ِ ‫طَائَِفةٌ طَيِبةٌ قَبِلَت الْماء فَأَنْب تت الْ َك ََلَ والْع ْشب الْ َكثِي ي رفَع وَكا َن ِمْن ها أ‬
ْ ‫ب أ َْم َس َك‬ ُ ‫َجاد‬ َ َ َ ْ َْ َ َ ُ َ ْ ََ َ َ ْ َِّ
ِ
‫ُخَرى إََِّّنَا ه َي‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ
ْ ‫اب طَائ َفةً مْن َها أ‬ َ ‫َص‬َ ‫اس فَ َش ِربُوا مْن َها َو َس َق ْوا َوَر َع ْوا َوأ‬ َ َّ‫اَّللُ ِبَا الن‬
َّ ‫الْ َماءَ فَنَ َف َع‬
‫ِن ا ََّّللُ بِِه‬
ِ ِ َِّ ‫قِيعا ٌن َال ُتُْ ِسك ماء وَال تُْنبِت َك ََلً فَ َذلِك مثل من فَ ُقه ِف ِدي ِن‬
َ َ‫اَّلل َونَ َف َعهُ ِبَا بَ َعث‬ َ ْ َ ُ ََ َ ُ ًََ ُ َ
ِ‫اَّللِ الَّ ِذي أُرِس ْلت بِه‬
َّ ‫ْسا َوَِلْ يَ ْقبَ ْل ُه َدى‬ ِ ِ
َ ‫فَ َعل َم َو َعلَّ َم َوَمثَ ُل َم ْن َِلْ يَْرفَ ْع بِ َذل‬
ُ ْ ً ‫ك َرأ‬
Verily, the parable of the guidance and knowledge that Allah
Almighty sent with me is the likeness of rain falling upon the earth.
Among them is a good group which receives the water and thus there
is abundant growth of herbage and grass. Among them is a barren
land which retains the water and thus Allah benefits people from it;
they drink from it and graze their animals. And it falls upon another
group which is only abysmal; it does not retain water, nor does
herbage grow. Such is the parable of one who understands the
religion of Allah and benefits from what Allah sent with me; he learns
and he teaches. Such is the parable of one who does not raise his
head and does not accept the guidance Allah sent with me.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 79, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

Hadith 8

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be

upon him, said:

ُ‫اَّلل‬ َ ‫اْلَ ِِّق َوَر ُج ٌل‬

َّ ُ‫آَته‬ َ ِِّ‫اَّللُ َم ًاال فَ ُسل‬
ْ ‫ط َعلَى َهلَ َكتِ ِه ِف‬ َّ ُ‫آَته‬
َ ‫ني َر ُج ٌل‬ ِ ْ َ‫َال َحس َد إَِّال ِف اثْنَ ت‬
َ
‫ضي ِِبَا َويُ َعلِِّ ُم َها‬ ِ ‫اْلِكْمةَ فَهو ي ْق‬
َ َُ َ ْ
There is no envy but in two cases: a man whom Allah has given
wealth and he spends it rightly, and a man whom Allah has given
wisdom and he judges and teaches with it.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 73, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

Hadith 9
Uthman bin Affan reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be
upon him, said:

ُ‫َخ ْ ُيُك ْم َم ْن تَ َعلَّ َم الْ ُق ْرآ َن َو َعلَّ َمه‬

The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4739, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 10

Sahl ibn Sa’d reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, said:

ِ َِّ ‫و‬
‫َّع ِم‬ َ َ‫ك ِم ْن أَ ْن يَ ُكو َن ل‬
َ ‫ك ْحُُْر الن‬ َ ِ‫اَّللُ ب‬
َ َ‫ك َر ُج ًال َخ ْيٌ ل‬ َّ ‫ي‬ َ ‫اَّلل َْلَ ْن يَ ْهد‬ َ
By Allah, that Allah guides a man through you is better for you than a
herd of expensive red camels.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2847, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

Hadith 11

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be

upon him, said:
ْ‫ب َعلَ َّي ُمتَ َع ِِّم ًدا فَ ْليَ تَبَ َّوأ‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ
َ ‫يل َوَال َحَر َج َوَم ْن َك َذ‬
َ ‫بَلِّغُوا َع ِِّن َولَْو آيَةً َو َح ِّدثُوا َع ْن بَِن إ ْسَرائ‬
‫َم ْق َع َدهُ ِم ْن النَّا ِر‬

Convey from me, even a single verse. Narrate from the children of
Israel, for there is no blame in it. Whoever deliberately lies about me,
let him take his seat in Hellfire.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3274, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 12

Abdullah ibn Amr reported:

‫وم إَِّال إِ ََل‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ َّ ِ َّ ‫اَّللِ صلَّى‬

ُ ‫صبِ َح َما يَ ُق‬
ْ ُ‫يل َح ََّّت ي‬
َ ‫اَّللُ َعلَْيه َو َسل َم ُُيَ ِّدثُنَا َع ْن بَِن إ ْسَرائ‬ َ َّ ‫ِب‬ُّ َِ‫َكا َن ن‬
َ ‫ُعظِْم‬
‫ص َالة‬

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would narrate stories
from the children of Israel until the morning came. The Prophet
would not stand but for the greatness of prayer.

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3663, Grade: Sahih

Al-Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

‫ب فَالْ َم ْع ََن َح ِِّدثُوا َع ْن‬

ِ ‫ُّث ِِبلْ َك ِذ‬ ِ ِ َّ ‫َن النَِِّب صلَّى‬ ِ ِ
َ ‫اَّللُ َعلَْيه َو َسلَّ َم َال ُُي ُيز الت‬
َ ‫َّحد‬ َ َّ َّ ‫م َن الْ َم ْعلُوم أ‬
ِ ِ ِ‫ب ِِن إِسرائ‬
ُ‫يل ِبَا َال تَ ْعلَ ُمو َن َكذبَه‬
َ َْ َ
It is known that the Prophet (ṣ) did not approve of falsehood. Thus,
the meaning is to narrate from the children of Israel what is known
not to be false.

Source: Fatḥ al-Bārī 3274

Hadith 13

Zayd ibn Thabit reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and

blessings be upon him, said:

ِ ِ ِ َّ ‫اَّلل امرأً ََِسع ِمنَّا ح ِديثا فَح ِفظَه ح ََّّت ي بلِِّغه فَر‬
ُ‫ب َحام ِل ف ْقه إِ ََل َم ْن ُه َو أَفْ َقهُ مْنه‬ُ ُ َ َُ َ ُ َ ً َ َ َ ْ َُّ ‫نَضََّر‬
‫س بَِف ِقيه‬ ِ ِ ِ َّ ‫ور‬
َ ‫ب َحامل ف ْقه لَْي‬َُ
May Allah brighten the face of a person who hears a tradition from us
and he memorizes it until he can convey it to others. Perhaps he will
convey it to one who understands better than him, and perhaps one
who conveys knowledge does not understand it himself.

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3660, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 14

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:
‫ُجوِرِه ْم َشْي ئًا‬ ُ ‫ك م ْن أ‬
ِ َ ِ‫من دعا إِ ََل ه ًدى َكا َن لَه ِمن اْلَج ِر ِمثْل أُجوِر من تَبِعه الَ ي ْن ُقص َذل‬
ُ َ َُ ْ َ ُ ُ ْ َ ُ ُ ََ َْ
‫ك ِم ْن آ ََث ِم ِه ْم َشْي ئًا‬ ِ ‫ومن دعا إِ ََل ضالَلَة َكا َن علَي ِه ِمن ا ِإل ِْْث ِمثْل آ ََثِم من تَبِعه الَ ي ْن ُق‬
َ ‫ص َذل‬ُ َ َُ ْ َ ُ َ َْ َ َ َ ْ ََ

Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to those who

follow him, without detracting from their rewards at all. Whoever
calls to misguidance will have sin upon him similar to those who
follow him, without detracting from their sins at all.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2674, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 15

‘Amr ibn ‘Awf reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings
be upon him, said:

‫َج ِر ِمثْ َل َم ْن َع ِم َل ِِبَا ِم ْن‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ

ْ ‫ت بَ ْعدي فَِإ َّن لَهُ م ْن ْاْل‬ ْ ‫ْاعلَ ْم إِنَّهُ َم ْن أ‬
ْ َ‫َحيَا ُسنَّةً م ْن ُسن َِِّت قَ ْد أُميت‬
‫اَّللَ َوَر ُسولَهُ َكا َن َعلَْي ِه‬
َّ ‫ض َاللَة َال تُ ْر ِضي‬ ِ ‫َغ ِي أَ ْن ي ْن ُقص ِمن أ‬
َ َ‫ع بِ ْد َعة‬
َ ‫ُجوِره ْم َشْي ئًا َوَم ْن ابْتَ َد‬
ُ ْ َ َ ْ
ِ ‫ك ِم ْن أ َْوَزا ِر الن‬
‫َّاس َشْي ًئ‬ ِ ‫ِمثْل آ ََثِم من ع ِمل ِِبا َال ي ْن ُق‬
َ ‫ص ذَل‬ُ َ َ َ َ َْ ُ
Know that whoever revives a tradition from my Sunnah if it has died
out after me, he will have a reward like those who act upon it
without diminishing any of their rewards. Whoever innovates a
misguided heresy not pleasing to Allah and his messenger, he will
have a sin like those who act upon it without diminishing any of the
people’s burdens.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2677, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 16

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

‫ص َدقَة َجا ِريَة أ َْو ِع ْلم يُْن تَ َف ُع بِِه أ َْو‬ ِ ِ

َ ‫اإلنْ َسا ُن انْ َقطَ َع َعْنهُ َع َملُهُ إَِّال م ْن ثََالثَة إَِّال م ْن‬ َ ‫إِ َذا َم‬
ِْ ‫ات‬
ِ ‫ولَد‬
ُ‫صالح يَ ْد ُعو لَه‬
َ َ
When the human being dies, his deeds end except for three: ongoing
charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1631, Grade: Sahih

In another narration, the Prophet said:

ِ ‫إِ َّن ِِمَّا ي ْلحق الْمؤِمن ِمن عملِ ِه وحسناتِِه ب عد موتِِه عِ ْلما علَّمه ونَشره وولَدا‬
ُ‫صاْلًا تََرَكه‬َ ً َ َ َُ َ َ ُ َ َ ً ْ َ َ ْ َ ََ َ َ َ َ ْ َ ْ ُ ُ َ َ
‫َخَر َج َها‬
ْ ‫ص َدقَةً أ‬
َ ‫َجَراهُ أ َْو‬ َّ ‫ص َح ًفا َوَّرثَهُ أ َْو َم ْس ِج ًدا بَنَاهُ أ َْو بَْي تًا ِالبْ ِن‬
ْ ‫السبِ ِيل بَنَاهُ أ َْو ََنًْرا أ‬ ْ ‫َوُم‬
‫ص َّحتِ ِه َو َحيَاتِِه يَْل َح ُقهُ ِم ْن بَ ْع ِد َم ْوتِِه‬
ِ ‫ِمن مالِِه ِف‬
َْ

Verily, among the good deeds that will join a believer after his death
are these: knowledge which he taught and spread, a righteous child
he leaves behind, a copy of the Quran he leaves for inheritance, a
mosque he has built, a house he built for travelers, a well he has dug,
and charity distributed from his wealth while he was alive and well.
These deeds will join him after his death.

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 242, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 17

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings
be upon him, said:

‫اَّللِ َح ََّّت يَْرِج َع‬

َّ ‫ب الْعِْل ِم َكا َن ِف َسبِ ِيل‬
ِ َ‫َم ْن َخرج ِف طَل‬
ََ
Whoever goes out seeking knowledge is in the way of Allah until he
returns.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2647, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 18

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and

blessings be upon him, said:

ْ ُ‫لَ ْن يَ ْشبَ َع الْ ُم ْؤِم ُن ِم ْن َخ ْي يَ ْس َم ُعهُ َح ََّّت يَ ُكو َن ُمْن تَ َهاه‬

ُ‫اْلَنَّة‬

The believer is never satisfied from learning good until he arrives in

Paradise.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2686, Grade: Sahih

Malik ibn Anas, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

‫َّعلُّ َم‬ ِ ِ ِ
َ ‫َحد يَ ُكو ُن عْن َدهُ الْع ْل ُم أَ ْن يَْ ُْت َك الت‬
َ ‫ال يَْن بَغي ْل‬
It is not befitting for anyone with knowledge to give up learning.

Source: Jāmi’ Bayān al-‘Ilm 423

Hadith 19

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

‫اَّللِ َوَما َو َاالهُ َو َع ِاِلٌ أ َْو ُمتَ َعلِِّ ٌم‬

َّ ‫أََال إِ َّن الدُّنْيَا َملْ ُعونَةٌ َملْ ُعو ٌن َما فِ َيها إَِّال ِذ ْكُر‬

Is not the world cursed and everything in it? Except for the
remembrance of Allah and what facilitates it, the scholar or the
student.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2322, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 20

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and

blessings be upon him, said:

‫ض الْ ُعلَ َما ِء َح ََّّت إِ َذا‬ ِ ‫ض الْعِْل َم بَِقْب‬ ِ ِ ِ ِ

ُ ِ‫اعا يَْن تَ ِزعُهُ م ْن الْعبَاد َولَك ْن يَ ْقب‬
ِ ِ َّ ‫إِ َّن‬
ُ ِ‫اَّللَ َال يَ ْقب‬
ً ‫ض الْع ْل َم انْتَز‬
‫َضلُّوا‬
َ ‫ضلُّوا َوأ‬
ِ ِ
َ َ‫وسا ُج َّه ًاال فَ ُسئلُوا فَأَفْ تَ ْوا بِغَ ِْي ع ْلم ف‬ َّ ِ ِ
ً ُ‫َّاس ُرء‬
ُ ‫َِلْ يُْبق َعال ًما اَّتَ َذ الن‬
Verily, Allah does not withhold knowledge by snatching it away from
his servants, but rather he withholds knowledge by taking the souls
scholars, until no scholar remains and people follow ignorant leaders.
They are asked and they issue judgments without knowledge. Thus,
they are astray and lead others astray.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 100, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

Hadith 21

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

َِّ ‫اه ِد ِف سبِ ِيل‬

ِ ‫من دخل مس ِجد ََن ه َذا لِي ت علَّم خيا أَو لِي علِِّمه َكا َن َكالْمج‬
ُ‫اَّلل َوَم ْن َد َخلَه‬ َ َُ ُ َ َ ُ ْ ًْ َ َ َ ََ َ َ ْ َ َ َ َ ْ َ
ِ ِِ ِ ِ
ُ‫س لَه‬ َ ‫لغَ ِْي َذل‬
َ ‫ك َكا َن َكالنَّاظر إ ََل َما لَْي‬
Whoever enters our mosque in order to teach goodness, or to learn it
himself, he is striving in jihad in the way of Allah. Whoever enters it
for another reason, he is viewing what does not belong to him.

Source: Musnad Aḥmad 8396, Grade: Hasan

Abu Bakr ibn Abdur Rahman, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

‫يد َغ ْ َيهُ لِيَ تَ َعلَّ َم َخ ْ ًيا أ َْو لِيُ َعلِِّ َمهُ ُْثَّ َر َج َع إِ ََل بَْيتِ ِه َكا َن‬ ِِ
ُ ‫اح إِ ََل الْ َم ْسجد َال يُِر‬ َ ‫َم ْن َغ َدا أ َْو َر‬
‫اَّللِ َر َج َع َغ ِاَّنًا‬
َّ ‫اه ِد ِف َسبِ ِيل‬ ِ ‫َكالْمج‬
َُ
Whoever departs to the mosque in the morning, intending to go
nowhere else and to teach goodness, or to learn it himself, and then
he returns to his house, he is like one who strives in jihad in the way
of Allah and returns with spoils.

Source: al-Muwaṭṭa’ 384

Hadith 22

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and

blessings be upon him, said:

‫ب الدُّنْيَا‬ ِ ِ ِ‫ان طَالِب هما طَال‬

ِ ‫ان ال ي ْشب ع‬
ِ ‫مْن هوم‬
ُ ‫ب ع ْلم َوطَال‬
ُ َ ُُ ََ َ ََُ
The seekers of two concerns are never satisfied: the seeker of
knowledge and the seeker of the world.

Source: al-Muʻjam al-Kabīr 10239, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 23

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

ِ ‫ال هللا َع ِاِلٌ ال يَ ْشبَ ُع ِم َن الْعِْل ِم َُْي َم ُع عِلْ َم الن‬

‫َّاس إِ ََل عِ ْل ِم ِه‬ َ َ‫َي ِعبَ ِاد َك أ َْعلَ ُم ق‬
ُّ ‫ال موسى فَأ‬
َ َ‫ق‬

Moses said: Who are the most knowledgeable of your servants? Allah
said: A scholar who is unsatisfied with his knowledge and adds the
knowledge of people to his own.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 6352, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 24

Safwan ibn ‘Assal reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be

upon him, said:

‫ضا ِِبَا‬ ِ ‫ب الْعِْل ِم إَِّال وضعت لَه الْم َالئِ َكةُ أ‬

ِ َ‫َما ِم ْن َخارِج َخرج ِم ْن بَْيتِ ِه ِف طَل‬
ً ‫َجن َحتَ َها ِر‬
ْ َ ُ ْ ََ َ ََ
‫صنَ ُع‬
ْ َ‫ي‬

No one leaves their house in search of knowledge but that angels will
lower their wings in approval of what he is doing.

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 226, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 25

Ka’b ibn Malik reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, said:

‫َّاس إِلَْي ِه‬ ِ َ ‫الس َفهاء أَو يص ِر‬ ِ ‫من طَلَب الْعِْلم لِيجا ِري بِِه الْعلَماء أَو لِيما ِر‬
َ ‫ف بِه ُو ُج‬
ِ ‫وه الن‬ ْ َ ْ َ َ ُّ ‫ي بِه‬ َ َُ ْ َ َ ُ َ َ ُ َ َ ْ َ
‫َّار‬
َ ‫اَّللُ الن‬
َّ ُ‫أ َْد َخلَه‬
Whoever seeks knowledge to impress the scholars, to argue with the
foolish, or to attract the attention of people, Allah will admit him into
Hellfire.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2654, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 26

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

ِ ِ
ِ ‫صيب بِِه عر‬ َِّ ‫من تَعلَّم ِع ْلما ِِمَّا ي ب ت غى بِِه وجه‬
ً َ َ َ ُ‫اَّلل َعَّز َو َج َّل َال يَتَ َعلَّ ُمهُ إَِّال لي‬
ْ‫ضا م ْن الدُّنْيَا َِل‬ ُ ْ َ َ َ ُْ ً َ َ ْ َ
‫اْلَن َِّة يَ ْوَم الْ ِقيَ َام ِة‬
ْ ‫ف‬ َ ‫َُِي ْد َع ْر‬

Whoever seeks knowledge that should be sought for the sake of Allah
Almighty, but only to gain some worldly benefit, he will never know
the fragrance Paradise on the Day of Resurrection.

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3664, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 27

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

‫َم ْن ُسئِ َل َع ْن عِ ْلم َعلِ َمهُ ُْثَّ َكتَ َمهُ أُ ْْلِ َم يَ ْوَم الْ ِقيَ َام ِة بِلِ َجام ِم ْن ََنر‬
Whoever is asked for knowledge and he conceals it, Allah will clothe
him with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2649, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 28

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon

him, said:

‫اَّللَ ِع ْل ًما ََنفِ ًعا َوتَ َع َّوذُوا ِِب ََّّللِ ِم ْن ِع ْلم َال يَْن َف ُع‬
َّ ‫َسلُوا‬

Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge in Allah from
knowledge without benefit.

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 3843, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 29

Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be

upon him, said:

‫آن بِغَ ِْي ِع ْلم فَلْيَ تَ بَ َّوأْ َم ْق َع َدهُ ِم ْن النَّا ِر‬

ِ ‫ال ِف الْ ُقر‬
ْ َ َ‫َم ْن ق‬

Whoever speaks on the Quran without knowledge, let him take his
seat in Hellfire.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2950, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 30

Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be

upon him, said:

‫اع ِة‬ ْ ‫اَّللِ َم َع‬

َ ‫اْلَ َم‬ َّ ‫إِ َّن‬
َ ‫اَّللَ َال َُْي َم ُع أ َُّم ِِت َعلَى‬
َّ ‫ض َاللَة َويَ ُد‬

Verily, Allah will not let my nation agree upon misguidance. The hand
of Allah is over the united community.

Al-Tirmidhi commented on this tradition, saying:

ِ ‫اْل ِد‬ ِ ِِ ِ ِ ِ ‫اْلم‬

‫يث‬ َْ ‫اعة عْن َد أ َْه ِل الْع ْل ِم ُه ْم أ َْه ُل الْف ْقه َوالْع ْل ِم َو‬
َ َ َْ

The interpretation of the united community, according to the

scholars, are the people of Fiqh, knowledge, and Hadith.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2167, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 31

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and
blessings be upon him, said:
ِِ ِ ِ ْ َ‫َل ِمن ف‬ ِ ُّ ‫ضل الْعِْل ِم أَح‬
ُ‫ض ِل الْعبَ َادة َو َخ ْيُ دين ُك ُم الْ َوَرع‬ ْ ََّ ‫ب إ‬ َ ُ ْ َ‫ف‬
The virtue of knowledge is more beloved to me than the virtue of
worship, and the best of your religion is piety.

Source: al-Ādāb lil-Bayhaqī 818, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 32

Ziyad ibn Labid reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, said:

‫اب الْعِْل ِم‬

ِ ‫ذَ َاك ِعْن َد أَو ِان ذَ َه‬
َ
There will be a time when knowledge disappears.

Ziyad said, “O Messenger of Allah, how can knowledge disappear

when we read the Quran and will teach it to our children until the
Day of Resurrection?” The Prophet said:

ِِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ
‫َّص َارى‬ ُ ‫س َهذه الْيَ ُه‬
َ ‫ود َوالن‬ َ ‫ت َْل ََر َاك م ْن أَفْ َقه َر ُجل ِبلْ َمدينَة أ ََولَْي‬ ُ ‫ك ِزََي ُد إِ ْن ُكْن‬ َ ‫ك أ ُُّم‬ َ ‫ثَ ِكلَْت‬
‫يل َال يَ ْع َملُو َن بِ َش ْيء ِِمَّا فِي ِه َما‬ ِِ
َ ‫يَ ْقَرءُو َن الت َّْوَرا َة َو ْاإل ْْن‬
May your mother be bereft of you, Ziyad! I thought you were the
wisest man in Medina. Do not these Jews and Christians read the
Torah and the Gospel, but they do not act upon what is in them?

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4048, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 33

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon

him, said:

ُّ ‫إََِّّنَا ِش َفاءُ الْعِ ِِّي‬

‫الس َؤ ُال‬

Verily, the only cure for ignorance is to ask questions.

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 336, Grade: Sahih

Ibn al-Qayyim commented on this tradition, writing:

‫اْلَ ْه َل َداءً َو َج َع َل َد َواءَهُ ُس َؤ َال الْعُلَ َم ِاء‬

ْ ‫اَّللُ َعلَْي ِه َو َسلَّ َم‬
َّ ‫صلَّى‬ ُّ ِ‫َوقَ ْد َج َع َل الن‬
َ ‫َِّب‬
The Prophet (ṣ) designated ignorance as a disease and he designated
the cure as asking the scholars.

Source: al-Jawāb al-Kāfī 1/8

Hadith 34

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and

blessings be upon him, said:

‫ض ِام ٌن‬ ِ ٌّ ‫ب َوَِلْ يُ ْعلَ ْم ِمنْهُ ِط‬

َ ‫ك فَ ُه َو‬
َ ‫ب قَ ْب َل ذَل‬ َ َّ‫َم ْن تَطَب‬
Whoever practices medicine without any prior knowledge of
medicine will be held liable.

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 3466, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 35

Zayd ibn Arqam reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and

blessings be upon him, said:

‫ك ِم ْن ِع ْلم الَ يَْن َف ُع َوِم ْن قَ ْلب الَ ََيْ َش ُع َوِم ْن نَ ْفس الَ تَ ْشبَ ُع َوِم ْن َد ْع َوة‬
َ ِ‫َعوذُ ب‬ُ ‫اللَّ ُه َّم إِِِِّن أ‬
‫اب َْلَا‬
ُ ‫الَ يُ ْستَ َج‬
O Allah, I seek refuge in you from knowledge that does not benefit,
from a heart that is not reverent, from a soul that is not content, and
from a supplication that is not answered.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2722, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 36

Ibn Abbas reported: It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, which

gathering is best?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,
said:

ِ ِ ِِ
ُ‫اَّللَ ُرْؤيَتُهُ َوَز َاد ِف ع ْلم ُك ْم َمْنط ُقهُ َوذَ َّكَرُك ْم ِِبآلخَرةِ َع َملُه‬
َّ ‫َم ْن ذَ َّكَرُك ُم‬
A gathering of those who inspire you to remember Allah when you
see them, whose discourse increases your knowledge, and whose
good deeds inspire you to remember the Hereafter.

Source: Musnad Abī Ya’lá 2408, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 37

Abu Barzah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be

upon him, said:

‫يما أَفْ نَاهُ َو َع ْن ِع ْل ِم ِه فِ َيم فَ َع َل َو َع ْن‬ِِ ِ ِ

َ ‫ول قَ َد َما َعْبد يَ ْوَم الْقيَ َامة َح ََّّت يُ ْسأ ََل َع ْن ُع ُم ِره ف‬ ُ ‫َال تَ ُز‬
ِ ِِ ِ ِ ِ ِِ
ُ‫َماله م ْن أَيْ َن ا ْكتَ َسبَهُ َوف َيم أَنْ َف َقهُ َو َع ْن ج ْسمه ف َيم أَبْ َاله‬

The feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Resurrection until
he is asked about his lifetime and how he used it, his knowledge and
how he acted upon it, his wealth and from where he acquired it and
how he spent it, and his body and how he exhausted it.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2417, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 38

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:
‫اللَّ ُه َّم انْ َف ْع ِِن ِِبَا َعلَّ ْمتَِِن َو َعلِِّ ْم ِِن َما يَْن َفعُ ِِن َوِزْدِِن ِع ْل ًما‬

O Allah, benefit me with what you have taught me, teach me what
will benefit me, and increase my knowledge.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3599, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 39

Jundub ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and

blessings be upon him, said:

ِ ‫ضيءُ لِلن‬ ِ
ِ ‫السر ِاج ي‬ ِ ِ َّ ِ
ُ‫َّاس َوَُْي ِر ُق نَ ْف َسه‬ ُ َ ِّ ‫اْلَْ َي َويَْن َسى نَ ْف َسهُ َك َمثَ ِل‬
ْ ‫َّاس‬
َ ‫َمثَ ُل الْ َعاِل الذي يُ َعلِّ ُم الن‬
The parable of the scholar who teaches people virtue but forgets
himself, is that of a lamp giving people light while it burns itself.

Source: al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 40

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon

him, said:

ِ ‫اَّللِ اْلَلَ ُّد ا ْْل‬

َّ ‫ض الِِّر َج ِال إِ ََل‬
‫ص ُم‬ َ َ َ‫إِ َّن أَبْغ‬
Verily, the most hated man to Allah is the one who is ‘fiercest in
argument.’ (2:204)

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2668, Grade: Sahih

Hadith 41

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

‫الر ْش َد ِف‬ َّ ‫َش َار َعلَى أ َِخ ِيه ِِب َْمر يَ ْعلَ ُم أ‬
ُّ ‫َن‬ َ ‫ِت بِغَ ِْي ِع ْلم َكا َن إِْْثُهُ َعلَى َم ْن أَفْ تَاهُ َوَم ْن أ‬ِ
َ ْ‫َم ْن أُف‬
ِ
ُ‫َغ ِْيه فَ َق ْد َخانَه‬

Whoever is given an opinion not based on knowledge, his sin falls

upon the one who gave him the opinion. Whoever directs his brother
to a matter of which he knows good lies elsewhere, he has betrayed
him.

Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3657, Grade: Hasan

Hadith 42

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings

be upon him, said:

‫َح ُّق ِِبَا‬ ُ ‫ضالَّةُ الْ ُم ْؤِم ِن فَ َحْي‬ ِْ ُ‫الْ َكلِمة‬

َ ‫ث َو َج َد َها فَ ُه َو أ‬ َ ُ‫ْمة‬
َ ‫اْلك‬ َ
The word of wisdom is the lost property of the believer. Wherever he
finds it, he is most deserving of it.

Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2687, Grade: Hasan

Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.

Compiled by:
JUSTIN PAROTT
(ABU AMINA ELIAS)

Edited by: Australian Islamic Library

WWW.AUSTRALIANISLAMICLIBRARY.ORG