OBLIGATORY KNOWLEDGE IN

ISLAM

Information & awareness gained through experience or education (oxford)

DEFINITION OF KNOWLEDGE

Allah mentions knowledge(ilm) in two

waysPraisworthy - Beneficial knowledge – ilm naafi

Blame worthy- Non-beneficial knowledge – Gair naafi

“Allah bears witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Him and so do the angels and those firmly endowed with knowledge”

Surah Zumar

:9

Evidence for Benefecial knowledge

• “And say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge”

Surah Imran:13

• “It is only the learned amongst His servants who truly fear Allah.”

Surah Taha:114

• “Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except that which you have given us. You alone are the knowing Wise.”

Surah Baqarah:32

In all the above verses it is the beneficial knowledge which is being talked of & that is Al –Ilm-al- Sharia

Non-Benefecial knowledge

Is the one from which the Prophet has asked refuge with Allah in a beautiful supplication reported in sahih Muslim-2722

“ O Allah! I take refuge with you from knowledge that does not benefit, from a heart that has no fear, from a soul that is never content, from an invocation that is not responded to.”

BRANCHES

Magic-sihr (Baqarah:

102)

Bayan (Abu

Dawood- 5012)

Geneology (Partially)

Discussion of Qadr

Astronomy

(Partially)

Dhat of Allah (swt)

Excessive debating

about religion

Prophet is reported to have said “Of a surety, some forms of speech (Bayan) are

magic and some knowledge is ignorance “

Hadith of Abu Dawud

Knowledge that does not benefit rather brings harm to religious or

wordly well-being

Bayan

Intended meaning

expressed clearlyIntended meaning

expressed with such a level of eloquence &

cleverly modified phrases such

that they captivate the

hearts

Commendable- directed to the truth or aid the

truth

Blameworthy- directed toward

falsehood or confusion such

that truth appears to be false or vice

versa

Magic

Magic

Geneology

It was said to the Prophet “Messenger of Allah! How astonishing is the knowledge of such and such a person!” He inquired “Of what?”They replied “Of people’s geneologies.’He remarked “Knowledge that is of no benefit, the ignorance of which causes no harm.”

Hadith of Abu Dawud

Geneology & Astronomy“Learn of your geneologies such

amount as would allow you to join the ties of kinship, then desist. Learn of the Arabic language such amount as would allow you to understand the Book of Allah, then desist.Learn of astronomy such amount as would allow you to travel in the darkness of land and sea, then desist.” (Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al_iman #1723)

Umar bin Al Khattab said “Learn of astronomy such amount as would allow you to travel thorough land and sea, then refrain. Learn of geneologies such amount as would allow you to join the ties of kinship and would teach you which women are lawful for you and which are not, then refrain” ( Suyuti, al-Durr al-Manthur, vol. 3)

“Whoever acquires knowledge from

the stars has acquired a branch of magic.” (Abu

Dawud)

Discussing Qadr/divine decreeUsing parts of the Quran to contradict other parts such that the

one who affirms the divine decree quotes a particular verse while the one who denies it quotes another verse and they start

quarrelling.

It is reported that such an event occurred at the time of the Prophet whereupon he became angry and prohibited it

Such matters are to be considered as disputing about the Quran and this has been prohibited

Discussing Qadr either

by affirmation or negation

by rationalizin

g & employing

logical arguements

QADARIYYAH

Deny Qadr

Say “Were Allah to decree everything & then punish people, He would be unjust &

oppressive”

JABARIYYAH

Humans forced to do what

they do, everything is decreed and hence man is

not accountable

for His actions

Prohibited

Probing into the

workings of Qadr

Because humans will never be able to

understand its true reality

Discussing the Dhat of Allah

Leads to abhorrent innovations & fabrications because -

Allah’s essence (dhat) & attributes are beyond the rationality of humans

Two groups• Negate many of Allah’s

attributes because of likeness between the Creation & the Creator

• Like As-Samee, Al-Baseer as in their view this is attributing Allah with attributes of seeing and hearing which is His creations’

• Eg- Mu’tazila & Jahmiyyah

• Affirm Allah’s attributes through their logics and as a result derive fabricated names & attributes

• Like “movement” – an attribute they believe to be a natural outcome of His established attributes

• Eg- Karaamiyyah

Probing into minute details of

issues & excessive debating

about the religionArguementations & disputations regarding lawful & prohibited

Distracts from beneficial knowledge

“A nation never went astray after being guided except by

means of disputation” (Tirmidhi,Ibn Majah)

“They only say this to you for argument’s sake, they are indeed a disputatious

people” (Zukhruf:58)

“They ask you about the soul, say: the soul is my Lord’s concern” (Isra:85)

Numerous evidences against asking excessive questions, asking tricky questions and also about events that have

yet to occur” (Bukhari,Muslim)

Evidences against

excessive debating

Benefecial knowledge

Obligatory (fard-e-Ayn)

Optional/ recommended

(Fard-e-Kifayah)

Islamic faith/Usool-ad deen/ilm

tawheed/aqeedah

Fiqh Al Ahkam/Fiqh Al ibadah/acts of

worship

Optional Islamic knowledge (ilm

ash-sharia)

Wordly knowledge (ilm-

ad-dunya)

Seeking religious knowledge is a collective obligation (Fard –e- Kifayah) except that which is individually incumbent. (fard-e-ayn) (Majmoo ul Fatawa).

IBN TAYMIYYAH

It is the responsibility of every accountable person (sane, adult muslim; male or female; rich or poor)

OBLIGATORY KNOWLEDGE

According to Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal: it is obligatory on every individual to seek that type of knowledge which will allow him to practice his religion properly

Fiqh Al Ahkam/Fiqh Al ibadah/acts of worship

Fiqh

Al-Ib

adah

Acts of worship/all aspects & rulings of pillars of islam/iman like rulings

related to salah, zakah etc.

Necessary transaction of business dealings

Knowledge of daily issues like marriage, tarbiyah of children, divorce

Knowledge of sins of heart, tongue, limbs, private parts etc.

Optional knowledge(Fard-

e-kifayah)

Al ilm al-Sharia (Optional Islamic

knowledge)

Al Ilm al-Dunya (wordly

knowledge)

Responsibility of the

whole community

Tafseer ul Quran, fiqh, Hadith sciences, seerah etc.

Engineering,medicine,agriculture

Wajib al kifayan(The communal

obligations) Knowledge of rulings of trading,

dealings & transactions Knowledge of religious

endowments Knowledge of laws of inheritance Knowledge of universal, physical

& material sciences etc

In todays world we are more inclined towards dunyawi ilm rather than the ilm obligatory upon every person

Even a doctor or a professor of world fame is considered a jahil and is at loss if he is not aware of how to attain taharah or correctly perform salah

I. SEEKING KNOWLEDGE

(Al-ilm ash sharee)The legislative Islamic knowledge

(Ignorance)

Sin 39:9,7:138,46:23Worship

ILM JAHL

KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH – Ma’arif-Allah

OBLIGATORY KNOWLEDGE : AL-ILM- Uthool-e-thalatha

Fundamentals of ISLAMIC FAITH (ILM USUL UD-DEEN/Ilm al Tawheed, Aqeedah) (fard ayn)

KNOWLEDGE OF DEEN- Ma’arifad-Deen

KNOWLEDGE OF PROPHET – Ma’arifa-Rasool

USOOL- E- THALATHA

Root word- Asl meaning root/foundation

Three – Rabb, deen, rasool

Three fundamental principles on which deen

rests

Sent (73:16) messengers

KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH

Our Lord(1:1) Creator (7:11) (39:62)

Gave us purpose of life ((23:115)

Worship Him alone

(2:21)

All types of worship only for Him (Islam,Eeman,Ihsan,Dua etc.) (72:18)

Knowledge of Allah

Iman/Belief In

Allah

His Existence His Lordship (Rubbobiyah)

His names & attributes

(Asma was-Sifat)

His Godhood “Ilah”

(Uloohiyah)

KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH’S EXISTENCE

INTELLECTUAL PROOF

“Were they created of nothing

or were they themselves

creators?” (52:3)

Allah is our only Lord , creator, Sustainer, Planner, Controller of all

affairsNone has share in His dominion

(1:1,7:11,39:62)

TAWHEED RUBOOBIYAH

Creator

Cherisher

SovereignProvider

(Quran 51:58)

(Quran 1:2)

(Quran23:116)

(Quran 6:102)

AR-RABB(TARBIYAH)

TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR DEVELOPMENT- from

beginning to completion

“From a sperm-drop He had created him,

and then moulds him in due proportion [Quran 80:19]

OUR LORD

THE

NURTURER

“And Who sends down rain from the sky in due

measure, then We revived a dead land

therewith, and so you will be brought forth from the graves.”

(Quran 43:11)

Allah provides

sustenance for us

Didn’t leave us without purpose

Rather He sent messengers with the message of Tawheed to worship only Him

and direct all worships towards

Him

“Indeed, it is Allah who is the (continual) Provider,

the firm possessor of strength (Dhariyat:58)

“Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would

not be returned” (Muminoon:115)

“Indeed, We have sent to you a Messenger as a

witness upon you just as We sent to Pharoah a messenger” (Al-Muzzammil:15)

Knowledge of His beautiful names & attributes (Asma-ul-

husna was sifat)

TAWHEED ASMA WAS-SIFAT

None is worthy of worship except Him and all worships only for Him.

He is the only “ILAH”

TAWHEED ULOOHIYAH/UBOODIY

AH

Thus with such awareness of our creator , the most powerful, the Al Mighty , one will denounce all imperfections that ignorant and deviant people attribute to Allah (sw) and so will refrain from shirk and bidaah.

II. ACTION based on KNOWLEDGE = FRUIT OF KNOWLEDGE

Action should be with eemaan in Allah (i.e., correct belief of heart, speech of tongue & action of the body parts)

Action is the establishment of obedience to him by- Doing what He has commanded Avoiding what He has forbidden

ACTION WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE

KNOWLEDGE BUT DOES NOT ACT

PUNISHABLE

III. CALLING TOWARDS TRUTH

16:125

Debate Wisdom Fine

admonition

12:108

Truth (Haqq) Baseerah

(evidences) Sound

knowledge

With-

Towards-

IV. PATIENT PERSEVERANCE

ISLAM (5 pillars)

KNOWLEDGE OF DEEN

EEMAN (6 pillars) (2:177)

IHSAN (26:128)

ISLAM means complete submission to the will of Allah – the

only God truly worthy of being worshipped without any partners

Evidence- Hadith of Jibreel (Umm-ul Hadith)

Reported by Umar radi Allahu’anhu

• One day while we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu alayhi wa sallam) there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black, no signs of journey were to be seen on him and none of us knew him.

He walked up and sat down in front of the Prophet with his knees touching against the Prophet’s and placing the palms of his hands on the thighs he said

“O Muhammad”, tell me about Islaam.”The messenger of Allah said “ Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to perform prayers, to give zakah, to fast in Ramadan and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.” He said: “You have spoken rightly” and we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly.

Then he said, “Tell me what is Faith (Iman)?” He (upon him blessing and peace) answered, “To believe in Allah, His Angels, His books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe that no good or evil comes but by His Providence.” “You have spoken truthfully,” he said, and then, “Tell me what is Excellence (Ihsan)?” He SAW answered, “To worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, yet He sees you.” “You have spoken truthfully,” he said, and then, “Tell me of the Hour.” He (upon him blessing and peace) answered, “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.” He said, “Then tell me of its signs.” He (upon him blessing and peace) answered, “That the slave-girl shall give birth to her mistress, and those who were but barefoot, naked, needy herdsmen shall build buildings ever higher and higher.”

Then the stranger went away, and I stayed a while after he had gone, and the Prophet SAW said to me, “O Umar, do you know the questioner, who he was?” I said, “God and His Messenger (upon him blessing and peace)know best.” He (upon him blessing and peace) said, “It was Jibril (Gabriel). He came to teach you your religion.”

This narration is from Sahih al-Bukhari

THREE LEVELS

OF DEEN

EEMAN

SPEECH

HEART

TONGUE

ACTION

HEART

TONGUE

LIMBS

Firm belief upon knowledge contained

Confirmation & affirmation with the tongue

Ibadah of the hearts (love, fear , hope etc.)

Enjoining good & forbidding evil, dhikr, repentance

Enjoining good, forbidding evil, salah, zakah, not cheating etc.

Worshipping Allah as if you were seeing Him & even though you do not see Him but He certainly sees you.(16:128,26:217-220,10:61)

AL – IHSAAN (Perfection in Ibadah)

First level of Ihsaan Worship Him as if you were seeing Him directing your heart to Him & turn to Him & seek to draw near to Him yearning to the one you love.(Muslim 1/1-3/no.1)

Second level of Ihsaan If not the first level of ihsan then worship Allah as though He was eeing you

KNOWLEDGE OF PROPHET

Life & Lineage (lived for 63 yrs.)

Prophet & Messenger to all mankind & Jinn

(7:158)Sent as a mercy

Purpose- Call to the light of ilm & tawheed from the darkness of shirk

Religion complete

d through him (5:3)

He was also a human being but the chosen one

Thus one will not elevate him to a

divine status nor will he degrade him to a status that does not

befit his prophethood

He died

(39:30)

Knowledge of true status, functions and rights of the prophet

BENEFITS OF KNOWING THE PROPHET

“Certainly you have in the life of the Messenger the 'Best Model' for him whose hope is in Allah and the last day, and who engages himself much in the remembrance of Allah.” (surah Ahzab:21)

BEST HUMAN BEING

BEST OF ALL THE UMMAH

BEST OF ALL THE RELIGIONS

Life journey of the

Prophet

Sour

ces o

f kno

wled

ge

(cat

egor

izatio

n by

imam

ash

-sha

fi)

Quran & authentic sunnah

Unanimous agreement of scholars when proof is not found in book and sunnah.

When some (one)sahabah said something and no opposition is found.

Companions differed but Muhammed (saw) did’nt object.

Anlytical deduction(Qiyas).

ETTIQUETES OF SEEKING KNOWLEDGE

• Firstly – Sincerity of intention for Allah

• Hadith “Actions are but by intentions”

• A sincere Intention is completely free from riyaa

• Riya leads to loss of blessing from knowledge and is a sin

RIYA –

SHOWOFF

C RRUPT INTENTIONS!“Whoever seeks knowledge for the purpose of the wordly life will not smell the fragrance of paradise” (Abu Dawud)

Knowledge of Aqeedah at- Tawheed “ Know, that there is none worthy of worship (in truth except Allah..” (Surah Muhammad:19)

“to know”- “to have knowledge”

MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF KNOWLEDGE

1. Excellence in asking questions in a good manner

2. Excellence in remaining quiet & listening attentively

3. Understanding

4. Memorising

5. Teaching

6. Fruit- Action upon it and keeping to its limit

SIX STEPS OF

SEEKING KNOWLEDGE BY IBN QAYYIM

REWARDS/GLAD TIDINGS FOR KNOWLEDGE SEEKERS

Reward for seeking knowledge is nothing but paradise !!

Ahmed, Tirmidhi,

Abu Dawud

“Whoever Allah wants good for, He gives him understanding of the religion (Muslim , Bukhari)

UNDERSTANDING OF RELIGION- Ability to address matters upon sound knowledge of Quran & Sunnah upon methodology of pious predecessors with wisdom

Three category of people saved from Allah’s curse (Tirmidhi)

One who remembers Allah in a way that

pleases Allah

Religious scholars

Talib-e-ilm/student of knowledge

Envy is permitted only in two cases:

- A man whom Allah gives wealth and he disposes of it rightfully and

- A man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and

teaches it” (Bukhari,Muslim)

Allah will exalt in degree

(Mujadilah :11)

Those who believe

Those granted

knowledge

Prophet has said : “The superiority of the learned over the devout worshipper

is like my superiority over the most inferior amongst you (in good deeds).”

He continued “Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth

and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour of those

who teach people knowledge.” (At-Tirmidhi)

Ilm before tawba & istighfaar (surah Muhammad:19)

Importance of knowledge more than worship because- Light of knowledge benefits

all- Worship if not done with the

correct knowledge is worthless

“It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah”

He who calls others to follow the right guidance will have a reward equal to the reward of those who follow him, without their reward being diminished in any respect on that account

Surah Fatir:28

Muslim

“Verily the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets . And verily prophets do not leave behind gold or silver as inheritance but rather they leave behind knowledge so whoever takes hold of it has taken hold of a large share” (Abu Dawud)

Prophet is reported to have said “ Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people but He takes away by taking away (the lives) of the religious scholars till none of the scholars stays

alive. Then the people will take ignorant ones as their leaders who when asked to deliver religious verdicts will issue them without knowledge , the result being that they will go astray and will lead others astray.” (Bukhari,

Muslim)

Noble virtue of scholars

Once a muslim has corrected his beliefs and ibadah through knowledge and cleansed his devotion from shirk, it becomes his responsibility to call others to it

“O you who believe, ward off from yourselves and your families a fire whose fuel is men and stones” (surah Tahrim:6) And this is only possible with ilm al sharia.

Prophet has said “Every one of you is a steward and is accountable for that which is committed to his charge.” (Bukhari , Muslim)

Prophet has said- “Whoever is asked about the knowledge that he knows

and then he hides it and keeps it away, he will be bridled on the day of

judgement with a bridle of fire.(Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Al tirmidhi)

Calling others to

knowledge

Prophet is reported to have said: May Allah freshen the affairs of a person who hears

something from us and communicates it to others as he heard it. Many a recipient of knowledge understands it better than the

one who has heard it” (At-Tirmidhi)

 May Allah make our journey of seeking knowledge, acting upon that and calling others to that easy for us and safeguard us from all the obstacles in its pursuit … Aameen