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Sincere
Intention
Absolute
sincerity should be ensured in our intention and action, since intentions are
the foundation actions.
The
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The actions are
Innama (only, certainty) tied to the intentions and every person will earn
that which he intended. Therefore, he whose migration was for Allah and His
Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) then his migration will be for Allah
and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). And he whose migration was to
achieve some worldly gain or to take a woman in marriage, then his migration
will be for that for which he migrated.” [Related by Saheeh al-Bukhari, and
Muslim]
This
hadeeth establishes a very important principle and foundation of the Deen, [1]
One
who corrects his intention in seeking knowledge and only the Face of Allah, is
on the road to salvation and happiness. Knowledge should be sought for the
right reasons: for its implementation (acting according to the knowledge) not
for the sake of ostentation (Riyaa), fame or for any other gain.
Because
Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: “The thing I fear for you the
most is Shirk Al-Asgar (the minor Shirk)!” The Companions (radhi allahu
anhu) asked: “O Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam)! What is
Shirk al-Asgar?” He replied: “Ostentation (showing off)” [Saheeh
reported by Ahmed]
Baihaqee
reported the addition of shu’ab al-Eman. “…On the Day of Judgement,
Allah will reward people for their deeds, He will say: “ Go to those for
whose attention and praise you did these deeds and see whether you will find
with them any reward!”
A
proper student is concerned with all those paths that lead to knowledge. He
seeks it desiring the Face of Allah’s (pleasure of Allah) and a home in
Paradise, to be acquainted with the Deen and reflect upon it, to have insight
into what Allah has made incumbent upon him and what He has prohibited him
from. He attempts to gain abundant knowledge, to be amongst the guided callers
striving for the truth, guide people, bring them out of darkness into the
light, so he seeks knowledge and acts upon it. Teaches others about the good
that a Muslim is ordered to do…etc. So wherever he turns he is in great
excellence with these correct intentions contrary to the one who has an evil
intention, for he is in great danger.
It
is related in a hadeeth, where Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) makes us
aware of the punishment of those who seek the knowledge of Deen for other than
the pleasure of Allah. He (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Whoever
seeks Islamic knowledge only for worldly gain, he would not even smell the
scent of Paradise on the Day of Judgement," [(Sahih) Abu Dawud, Ibn
Majah. Narrated Abu Huraira]
He
(sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) also said: “If anyone acquires knowledge of
things by which Allah’s good pleasure is sought but instead he acquires it
only to get worldly advantage, he will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on
the Day of Reckoning.” [Abu Dawood with a sound chain of narration (Ibn
Baaz)]
In
another hadeeth, K‘ab ibn Malik (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) narrated that
the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said: "Whoever seeks knowledge
to argue with the scholars, or to show off with the ignorant people, and
attracts the faces of the people towards him, Allah would enter him into the
Hellfire."
The
first of the people who will be thrown into the Fire will be from amongst
those who acquired knowledge and recited the Qur’aan for others besides
Allah, hoping that it might be said: ‘He is a scholar or it might be said,
he is a reciter.’
On
the authority of Abu Huraira (radhi allahu anhu) who said: I heard the
Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saying: “… (Another) will
be a man who has acquired knowledge (Ilm) and has taught it and who used to
recite the Qur’aan. He will be brought (on the Day of Judgement) and Allah
will make known to him His favors and he will acknowledge them. The All Mighty
will say: “And what did you do about them? He will say: “I studied
knowledge and taught it and recited the Qur’aan for your sake. He will say:
“ You have lied- you did acquire knowledge so that it might be said (of
you): ‘He is learned.’ Then, he will be ordered to be dragged along on his
face until he is cast into the Hellfire...”
The
main message to be gained from these ahadeeth is that true and sincere
knowledge should yield goodness which, should manifest itself in one’s
practice of Islam. Knowledge without such fruit is completely futile (useless)
Hence,
it is indeed a very serious sin to commit such grave action as to preach about
Islam without a sincere intention. Moreover, it is essential to act on what
you know to be of true and correct knowledge. Failure to fulfill with such
guidelines would subsequently result in most grievous consequences, in both
this life and the Hereafter.
Al-Hasan
al-Basree, rahimahullaah, said: "Whoever learns something in the name of
Allah, seeking that, which is with Him, he will win. And whoever learns
something for other than Allah, he will not reach the goal, nor will his
acquired knowledge bring him closer to Allaah." [Related by Ibn al
Jawzee]
Trials
take place when knowledge is sought for other than Action.
On
the authority of Alee’ (radhi allahu anhu) that he made mention of trials at
the end of time. Umar (radhi allahu anhu) asked him: “When will that be O
Alee’?” He said: “When understanding of the Religion is sought for other
purposes, and knowledge is acquired for other than acting upon, and worldly
gain is sought with the actions of the Hereafter. [Reported by Abdar Razzak in
his musannaf as a statement of Alee’ Saheeh at-Targeeh wat-Tarheeh # 106]
Seeking
Beneficial Knowledge and Refuge from the Knowledge that does not benefit.
One
should ask Allah, the All Knowledgeable, for Knowledge that is beneficial to
him, as the Prophet of Allah (sallalalhu alahi wa-sallam) is known to be
beseech Allah for the same, he (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to say:
"O Allah, grant me benefit in what You have taught me, teach me what will
benefit me, and increase my knowledge. Praise be to Allah in all
circumstances. I seek refuge in Allah from the state of those who go to
Hell."
One
should also be aware of the knowledge that does not benefit and beseech Allah
and seek refuge form it, as was done by Prophet Muhammd.
On
the authority of Zayd ibn Arqam (radhi allahu anhu) that the Messenger of
Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to say:
[1]
Ash
–Shawkhani [one of the greatest faqihs and mujtaheds. (1173-1250)] said:
“This hadeeth is one of the basis of the religion. Although this is only
one hadeeth, it deserves to be explained in a volume by itself.”
The scholars held this hadith in such a high position that they would
usually start their books by mentioning this hadeeth, in order for those
who seek knowledge of the religion to start their quest by correcting
their niyyah.
