2. To recognize the lofty status of seeking Islamic knowledge.
The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“The best amongst you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it.” (Bukhari)
All the sciences of the Deen are geared to understanding the Quran. So the most noble and lofty occupation that any human being can indulge himself in is none other than seeking the knowledge of Deen.
Abu Hurairah narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“Verily, the world is accursed, and whatever it contains is accursed, except the remembrance of Allah and those who associate themselves with Allah; and an Aalim (Islamic scholar) and a student (of Deen).” Tirmithi
Abu Dardaa narrates: the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“Verily, the ulama are heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets leave no money as a bequest, rather they leave knowledge. Whoever seizes it has taken a bountiful share.”
(Abu Dawood 3641 Tirmithi 2682)
The Prophets are the greatest and most noble people to set foot on this earth. What can be loftier than being their inheritor!
Abu Dardaa narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“Whoever travels a path seeking sacred knowledge, Allah will place him on a path leading to Paradise. The angles lower their wings for the student of sacred knowledge, pleased with what he is doing.”
(Abu Dawood 3641 Tirmithi 2682)
No red carpet of any function can come close to the wings of the honourable creation of Allah, the Angles. How elevated is the status of the student of Deen.
Abu Dardaa narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“The superiority of the religious scholar over the devout worshipper is like the superiority of the full moon over the other heavenly bodies.”
(Abu Dawood 3641 Tirmidhi 2682)
The objective of life is to worship Allah, but this cannot be accomplished in its true sense without a deep knowledge of the Deen.
Abu Dardaa رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“The creatures in the heavens and the earth seek forgiveness for the student of sacred knowledge, even the fish in the water.”
(Abu Dawood 3641 Tirmidhi 2682)
They do such because the scholars spread goodness and mercy in the world. Furthermore, when knowledge appears on the earth (due to the presents of the scholars) and it is acted on, blessings abound and sustenance descends from the heavens. All benefit from this including ants and all other kinds of creatures. How fortunate is the one for whom so many are seeking maghfirah (forgiveness).
يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
Allah elevates in degree those who believe among you and those possessing knowledge. {Mujadalah:11}
The people of Islamic knowledge will be elevated many degrees higher than the normal believer.
شَهِدَ اللَّـهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ وَأُولُو الْعِلْمِ قَائِمًا بِالْقِسْطِ ۚ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ
“Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and the people of knowledge.”
The “people of knowledge” in this verse is referring to the Ambiyaa (Prophets).
Ibn Rajab explains: This shows the nobility of the ulama in that Allah has given them the title of his Prophets.
