In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most
Merciful
Shaykh Abu Anas Hamad
al-`Uthmaan
Knowing One's Priority
Hudhayfah said:The
Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) related matters to us. I
have seen one of them, and I am waiting for the other. He (sallallaahu `alayhi
wa sallam) informed us: "Trustworthiness was sent down in depths of the heart
of the people, then they learnt it from the Qur'aan, then they learnt it from
the Sunnah" 2
Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar
(852H) said: "His (`azza wa jall) saying: 'then they learnt it from the
Qur'aan, then they learnt it from the Sunnah' So it occurs in this narration
with the repetition of "then", which contains and indication that
they would learn the Qur'aan before learning the details of the sunnah. And
what is meant by the details of the sunnah is anything that they would learn
from Prophet (saallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) whether it was obligatory or
recommended." 3
Al-Maymoonee said:I
asked Abu 'Abdullaah Imaam Ahmed which is more beloved to you, that I should I
begin teaching my son the Qur'aan or the hadeeth He said: "No! The
Qur'aan." I said: Shall I teach him all of it? He replied: "Unless
that is difficult, in which case teach him some of it." Then. he said to
me: "If he begins reciting first, then he will learn correct recitation
and will persevere in it." 4
Ibn Muflih said:
"Upon this are the followers of Imaam Ahmad right up until our time."
5
Ibn Taymiyyah (d.
718H) said: "As for seeking to memorize the Qur'aan then this is to be
given preference over many of the things that the people consider to be
knowledge, but are -in reality - either totally useless, or having little
benefit. It is also to be given precedence in learning especially by those who
wish to acquire knowledge of the Deen, its principles and its particulars.
Since what is prescribed for such a person at this time is that he should begin
by memorizing the Qur'aan, as it is the foundation of the branches of knowledge
of the deen. This is contrary to what is done by many of the people on
innovation, in that one of them will preoccupy himself with superfluous parts
of knowledge; such as kalaam (rhetorical speech) and argumentation; or very
rare matters of differences; and blind following, which there is no need for;
or very strange and rare ahaadeeth which are not established, nor of benefit;
and many discussions do not establish proofs. And he abandons memorizing the
Qur'aan which is more important than all of this." 6
Muhammad ibn al-Fadl
said: "I heard my grandfather say: I asked my father for permission to
study under Qutaybah, so he said: "First learn the Qur'aan and then I will
give you permission." So I memorized the Qur'aan by heart. Then he said to
me: "Remain until you have led the people in prayer with it (i.e. for
taraweeh prayer)." So I did so, and after the "eed prayer he gave me
permission, so I left for Marw." 7
Ibn 'Abdul-Barr (d.
463H) said: "Seeking knowledge is of levels and is of different stages
which should not be skipped over. Whoever skips over them altogether, then he
has overstepped the path of the Companions and those that follow them. Whoever
deliberately takes a path other than this has seriously deviated. However,
whoever oversteps due to an ijtihaad (a knowledge-based judgment that a
qualified scholar makes, intending to reach the truth), then such a person has
erred So the first knowledge is memorization of the Book of Allaah and seeking
to understand it. And it-is obligatory to seek everything which will aid in
understanding it. However, I do not say that it is obligatory to memorize all
of the Qur 'aan but I do say that it is obligatory and essential for anyone who
wishes to become a scholar - not that it is something obligatory in
itself." 8
Al-Khateeb
al-Baghdaadee (d. 463H) said: "It is fitting for a student that he begins
with memorization of the Book of Allaah -since it is the greatest of the
branches of knowledge and that which should be placed first and given
precedence." 9
Al-Haafidh an-Nawawee
(d. 676H) said: "The first thing he should begin with-is memorization of
the mighty Qur'aan, which is the most important of the branches of knowledge.
And the Companions and those that follow them did not use to teach hadeeth or
fiqh except to one who had memorized the Qur'aan When he has memorized it, let
him beware of preoccupying himself from it with hadeeth, fiqh or other things,
to the extent that it leads him to forget anything of the Qur'aan, or makes
that likely." 10
Seeking knowledge in
due proportions 11
Allaah (`azza wa jall)
said: "And it is a Qur'aan which We have divided into parts, in order that
you may recite it to men at intervals. And We have sent it down in
stages." 12
The Prophet
sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said to `Abdullaah ibn `Amr ibn al-`Aas:
"Read the Qur'aan in every month." I said: I find that I have more
strength than that. He (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Recite it in
every twenty nights." I said: I find that I have more strength than that.
He (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Then recite it in every seven
days and do not increase upon that." 13
'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr
ibn al-'Aas also related from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) that
he said: "He does not understand the Qur'aan who recites it in less than
three days " 14
Umar ibn
'Abdul-Waahid, a companion of al-Awzaa'ee said: We read in al-Muwattaa to
Maalik (d. 179H) in forty days, so he said: "A book that took me forty
years to compile, you take from me in forty days! How little you understand of
it." 15
Al-Khateeb
al-Baghdaadee said: "It is fitting that he takes care in acquiring
knowledge and that he should not take too much in one go. Rather, he should
take a little at a time, such that he can bear it., memorize it and be able to
understand it. Because Allaah says which means: "And those who disbelieve
say: Why is the Qur’aan not send down to him all at once? Thus (is it sent down
in parts) that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to
you gradually, in stages."16" 17
Al-Khateeb also said:
"And know that the heart in an organ from the organs. It is able to bear
somethings and unable to bear others—just like the rest of the body. Thus, some
people are able to carry one-hundred pounds, whereas others are unable to carry
even twenty. Some people are able to walk a number of miles in a day without
tiring, whereas others are unable to even walk a mile a day before they become
tired... So let each person limit himself to what he is able without expending
all his energies, because that will better aid him in learning with a good
mind, from a firm and proficient teacher.'' 18
Supplicating for an
Increase in Knowledge
Allaah (`azza wa jall)
said which means: "Say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge." (Soorah
TaaHaa 20:114)
Umm Salamah
said:Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate in
the morning prayer: "O Allaah! I ask you fur beneficial knowledge,
righteous action and pure sustenance."20Anas bin Maalik (be) said: I heard
Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) supplicate:"O Allaah!
Benefit me with knowledge. Teach me that which will benefit me, and provide me
with knowledge from which I can derive benefit."21
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn
Ja'far said: I heard Ibn Khuzaymah (d. 311H) being asked: From where did you
acquire this knowledge? So he said: "Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) said: "Zam-zam water is that for which it is
drunk." 22 So when I drunk zam-zam water, I supplicate to Allaah for
beneficial knowledge." 23
Shaykhul-lslaarn Ibn
Taymiyyah said: 24 "The reality of this matter that the servant differs in
what he asks of knowledge and guidance, and of what he seeks to ask. So with
remembrance of Allaah and turning towards Him, Allaah guides such a person—as
He said which means: "O My servants! All of you are misguided, except
whomsoever I guide. So seek your guidance from me."25
And as the Prophet
(sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to say: "O Allaah! Lord of Jibreel,
Meekaa 'eel and Israafeel. The Originator of the heavens and the earth. Knower
of the Unseen and the apparent. You judge between Your servant in that which he
differs. So guide me in that which I differ from the truth—by Your permission. Indeed,
You guide whomsoever You please, to a Path that is straight." 26
Notes:1. From An-Nubadh fee
Aadaabit-Talabil-'ilm (pp.61-66), slightly abridged.2. Related by al-Bukhaaree
(no. 7086)3. Fathul-Baaree (13/39) 4. Related by Ibn Muflih in Al-Aadaabush-Shar'iyyah.
5. Related by Ibn Abee Ya'laa in Tabaqaatul-Hanaabilah (1/41). 6. Fataawaa
al-Kubra (2/54-55). 7. Related by adh-Dhahabee in Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (2/722).
8. Jaami' Bayaanul-'llm wa fadlihi (pp. 526-528) 9. Al-Jaami'
li-Akhlaaqir-Raawee wa Aadaabis-Saami'(1/106). 10. From the introduction to
Al-Majmoo' Sharhul-Muhadhhab (1/38) 11. From An-Nubadh (pp.67-69) 12. Soorah
al-lsraa 17:106. 13. Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5052) and Muslim (no. 1159)
and the wording is from Muslim). 14. Saheeh: related by Abu Daawood in his
Sunan (no. 1394) and it was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Abee
Daawood (no. 1294). 15. Related by Ibn 'Abdul-Barr in at-Tawheed (1/77)16.
Soorah al-Furqaan 25:32. 17. Al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/101). 18. Al-Fapeeh wal-Mutafaqqih
(2/107). 19. An-Nubadh (pp. 97-99).20. Hasan: related by Ahmad (6/305) and
atTiyaalasee (p.224). It was authenticated by al-Haafidh Ibn Hair in Nataa'ijul
Aflkaar (2/313). 21. Related by Haakim (1/510) and he said: "It is
authentic upon the condition of Muslim." Adh-Dhahabee also agreed. 22.
Related by adh-Dhahabee in Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (2/721). 23. Hasan: It has been
narrated by many different ways. Refer to al-MaqaasidulHasanah (no. 928) of
as-Sakhaawee for its authentication and sources. 24. Majmoo`ul fataawaa (4/39)
25. Related by Muslim (no. 2577) form Abu Dharr. 26. Related by Muslim (no.
770) from `Aaishah.
Courtesy Of:
Islaam.com
Source: kalamullah.com
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