The Dignity of Knowledge
And that in which there is no dispute is that the sciences vary in the extent
of the dignity (that they contain). Amongst them is the noble and the most
noble, the important and the most important.
And no matter what might be conceived of dignity and excellence for the
(various) sciences of philosophy, natural sciences, mathematics, literature,
industrial sciences and other than them from the sciences of this universe - no
matter what might be conceived for them of dignity, excellence and an elevated
rank - then (most certainly) they do not approach (the level of) that knowledge
- which along with sharing with those sciences in the furtherance of the mental
faculties and enlightenment of the minds - is unique in rectifying the manners,
and bringing about eternal happiness, and it is the knowledge of the
deen.
And however much a person may advance in the skills and knowledge-related
disciplines of this universe and (in) facilitating the ways and means of
(attaining) ease and comfort, then (even) if that raises him from the (level of)
animals from one aspect, it places him there from another aspect - (which
occurs) so long as his manners are not purified. Therefore, he (ought to be)
shaped by gentleness, mercy, generosity, chastity, humility, truthfulness,
trustworthiness, justy, benevolence, and others besides them from the noble
manners and characteristics.
Knowledge and Manners
Everyone who has reflected and considered over the nations and individuals of
this time will know that (this time) rightfully deserves to be called ‘the
era of knowledge’. However, along with that he sees that it is necessary
for it to be called a different name - by looking at the decline in morals!
The earthly souls are (but made of) dust. It is their inherent nature to give
birth to blameworthy characteristics so long as they are not nourished by the
pure water of eemaan and (so long as) the (radiant) sun of the correct knowledge
of the deen does not rise over them, and (so long as) the breezes of the Wise
Reminder do not rage against them.
So whichever land is devoid of this water, and the rays of this (radiant) sun
are veiled from it, and is restricted from the paths of those breezing winds,
then its fruits will be as the Angels - upon them be peace - said:
Will you place therein (i.e. the earth) those who will cause mischief and
shed blood… [Soorah Baqarah 2:30]
The Fountains of Islaam
For the deen - and that is Islaam - are two great fountains: The Book of
Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu
alaihi wasallam).
The Definition of the Sunnah
The ‘Sunnah’ is an expression of: that which has been established
from the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) of sayings, actions and (things)
other than them which constitute an explanation of the Qur’aan, an
explanation of the rulings (of Islaam), imbibing of the manners and other than
that from the beneficial things of the present life and the next.
The Companions and the Sunnah
The first of those who acquired the Sunnah, are the Noble Companions. So they
memorised it and understood it. They knew it in (both) its generality and its
specific detail, and they conveyed it - as they were ordered - to those who came
after them.
Then the Successors (Taabi’oon) acquired it and they conveyed it to
those who followed them and so on. So a companion would say, "I heard
the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) say such and
such…" and a successor would say, "I heard so and so
companion say, ‘I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi
wasallam)…’" and the one who would follow the successor
would say, "I heard so and so say, ‘I heard so and so companion
say, ‘I heard the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam)
say’’" and so on.
The Need for Memorising the Sunnah
Everyone who knows that Muhammad is the Seal of the Messengers, and that his
sharee’ah is the seal of all the Sharee’ahs, and that the happiness
of this life and the next, and of eternal life lies in following him will know
that the people are more in need of memorising the Sunnah than they are of food
and drink.
The Obligation of Knowing the Conditions of Men
Sometimes a narration may come from someone from whom it is obligatory to
accept, or from whom it is obligatory to reject, or from whom it is necessary to
withhold from (until further clarification). And how foolish it would be, that
that which is from the truth which the Seal of the Prophets conveyed from His
Lord, the Mighty and Majestic and that which is from the falsehood that Allaah
and His Messenger are free of, should be known by other than knowing the
conditions of the narrators.
On The Importance of Knowing Men