| Manhaj - Methodolgy |
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Acting
upon the Knowledge is Obligatory
While
proceeding in knowledge, one should always be aware of busying himself
with the means [(i.e. gathering knowledge) for knowledge is the tool of
action] at the expense of goals [worship of Allah], so much that the
intend behind it become oblivious. Acting in accordance with the knowledge
should not be neglected. Before assembling more knowledge one should first
turn to the knowledge which has already been collected. One should spend
time doing things that, which has been made obligatory, before anything
else. For the fear that this might fall under the saying of Allah:
“The
mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you.” [Soorah
at-Takaathur (102): 1]
And
the fact that the virtues and Merits of Knowledge vary depending upon the
adherence to it. So if the action is less then the knowledge, the
scholar’s knowledge is a burden upon him. Just as wealth has no benefit
unless it is spent, knowledge does not benefit except one acts upon it and
observes its obligations.
Abu
Hurairah (radhi allahu anhu) said: “ The example of knowledge not acted
upon is like the treasure, none of which, is spent in the way of Allah,
the Mighty and Majestic. “
Whoever
speaks good things yet does not act righteously; Allah does not accept his
good speech. Whereas he who speaks good things and works righteous acts,
his speech is raised by his good deeds. That is because Allah said: “To
Him ascends the goodly word, and the righteous actions raises it.”
[Soorah al-Faatir (35): 10]
Ibn
Mas`ood, (radhi allahu anhu) said: "True knowledge is not measured in
relationship to how much you memorize and then narrate, but rather, true
knowledge is an expression of piety [protecting oneself from what Allah
prohibited and acting upon what He mandated]."Also, "Study and
act upon what you learn." [Related by Abu Na`eem]
Verses
of the Qur’aan regarding the Rewards of Actions
Allah
says in the Qur’aan: “Eat and drink with happiness because of what you
used to do.” [Soorah at-Toor (52): 19]
And
it will be cried out to them: “This is the Paradise you have inherited
for what you have inherited for what you used to do!” [Soorah
al-A’raaf (7): 43]
Thus,
Allah rewards the pious, those whose lives the Angels take while, they are
in a pious state saying: ‘Peace be upon you, enter your Paradise because
of that which you used to do.” [Soorah an-Nahl: (16): 32]
The
Punishment of not acting upon one’s knowledge.
Narrated
Ibn al-Khattab (radhi allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Islam will dominate so that traders frequent
the seas and horses enter into the path of Allah. Then there will appear a
people who will recite the Qur’aan saying: “Who amongst us has
memorized the most Qur’aan? Who is most knowledgeable of us? Which one
of us has the most understanding? Then he asked the companions: “Is
there any good in them?” They replied, “Allah and His Messenger know
best,” He said, “They are from you and from this Ummah and they are
from the fuel of the Fire.”
Allah
makes clear the destination of all created beings. Their different
ascending and descending ranks will only be in accordance to their
actions:"O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?
Most hateful it is in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do
not do," [Soorah As-Saff (61): 2-3]
Hindrances
in Action
On
the authority of Aboo Bakr Ibn Abdullah ibn Qays from his father who, said
that he heard his father say whilst he was facing the enemy “The
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “Surely, the
gates of Paradise are under the shadows of the swords. A man in a shabby
condition got up and said: “Abu Musa, did you hear the Messenger
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) of Allah (peace be upon him) say this? He
said: ‘Yes. (The narrator said): He returned to his friends and said:
‘I greet you (a farewell greeting). Then he broke the sheath of his
sword, threw it away, advanced with his (naked) sword towards the enemy
and fought (them) with it until he was killed“ [Sahih
Muslim no 468]
On
the authority of Jabir (radhi allahu anhu) who said: ‘A man said: “O
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) where will I be if I am
killed?” He replied: “In Paradise” So he threw the dates he had in
his hands then went and fought until he was killed.” [Muslim Eng. Vol.3,
page 1052, # 4681.]
“A
man in a shabby condition got up and said: ‘Abu Musa, did you hear the
Messenger of Allah say this?”
So
the first thing we must race towards is to remove all that is unauthentic
attributes to the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)
“Then
he broke the sheath of his sword, threw it away, advanced with his (naked)
sword towards the enemy and fought (them) with it until he was killed.”
Then,
after removing the important barrier, he (man in a shabby condition) broke
the sheath of his sword not even thinking about returning.
Similarly,
the Companion (radhi allahu anhu) who asked the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi
wa-sallam) about his place if he was killed, as soon as he heard about
Paradise, he threw away the dates that were in his hand only because he
believed that these dates would delay him and hinder him from entering
Paradise.
So
Secondly, as a result one should hasten to do good deeds and righteous
actions as ones ability, and refrain from delaying and being lazy, keeping
the saying of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam):
Islam
consists of acting and abstaining, so it becomes important for us to build
the levels of knowledge and actions upon a firm foundation, as the Prophet
of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said:
It
is understood from this narration that from a man’s deficiency in his
religion is his indulging in that, which does not concern him. This
includes everything of secondary importance, whichever form it may take.
What should concern a believer is all that relates to the essentials of
his lively-hood, he should be concerned with all that relates to his
salvation in the Hereafter, that being Islam, Eeman, Ihsan.
Whereas
striving to accomplish other than that is loss of irreplaceable valuable
time. In this way knowledge, speech and studies are purified, every
attribute denounced in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah is removed and
what remains are the beneficial and worthy actions. This is the way a
Muslim arranges and plans his affairs with generosity whether it be
intention, speech or actions. As mentioned in a hadeeth:
“Verily
Allah the All Mighty and Majestic is Generous, He loves generosity and
noble character and hates the despicable character.”
