Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge in Islam

Essential Etiquettes for Seeking Knowledge in Islam

Islam, which is another name for the knowledge of Shari’ah and divine revelation, is something that every Muslim man and woman is obligated to seek. Until we gain knowledge of the Shari’ah, we cannot acquire understanding of divine guidance, the teachings of Islam, and the life and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Without this knowledge, we will not be able to comprehend the understanding of our Creator, the proper way to worship Him, distinguish between truth and falsehood, differentiate between what is lawful and unlawful, or discern good from bad. This is why it is essential for a Muslim to first acquire knowledge before practicing their religion, so they can act upon it correctly according to the Sunnah. Allah and His Messenger have mentioned great rewards for acquiring religious knowledge. Allah says:

يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ (المجادلۃ:11)
Translation: Allah will raise those among you who have believed and those who were given knowledge by degrees.

And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
من سلك طريقًا يطلبُ فيه علمًا ، سلك اللهُ به طريقًا من طرقِ الجنةِ ، وإنَّ الملائكةَ لتضعُ أجنحتَها رضًا لطالبِ العِلمِ ، وإنَّ العالِمَ ليستغفرُ له من في السماواتِ ومن في الأرضِ ، والحيتانُ في جوفِ الماءِ ، وإنَّ فضلَ العالمِ على العابدِ كفضلِ القمرِ ليلةَ البدرِ على سائرِ الكواكبِ ، وإنَّ العلماءَ ورثةُ الأنبياءِ ، وإنَّ الأنبياءَ لم يُورِّثُوا دينارًا ولا درهمًا ، ورَّثُوا العِلمَ فمن أخذَه أخذ بحظٍّ وافرٍ (صحيح أبي داود:3641)
Translation: Whoever seeks knowledge of the religion by traveling a path, Allah will make a way for him to Paradise. Indeed, the angels lay down their wings in happiness for the student of knowledge, and the scholar’s forgiveness is sought by all of the creatures in the heavens and the earth, even the fish in the water. The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like the superiority of the full moon over all the stars. Indeed, the scholars are the heirs of the prophets, and the prophets did not leave behind dinars or dirhams; they left behind knowledge, and whoever takes it has taken a great share.

Although there are many virtues in acquiring knowledge, the importance of knowledge can be understood from just one verse and one hadith. Since the purpose here is to mention the etiquettes of seeking knowledge, let us now turn towards the main topic.

The Importance and Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge in Islam

Before seeking knowledge, the student must focus on two important matters:

• 1 Correcting the Intention: Since this knowledge is the knowledge of Prophethood and divine revelation, the student must first purify their intention for Allah alone. They should intend to seek knowledge in order to gain Allah’s pleasure, to follow the way of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and to practice the religion of Allah. By having this intention, not only will the student gain the virtue of seeking knowledge, but they will also receive Allah’s help, which will make it easier for them to worship Him and act according to His religion. After the Quran, Sahih Bukhari holds the next highest position in terms of knowledge. In this book, Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions the first hadith related to intention. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

إنَّما الأعْمالُ بالنِّيّاتِ، وإنَّما لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ ما نَوَى، فمَن كانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إلى دُنْيا يُصِيبُها ، أوْ إلى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُها، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إلى ما هاجَرَ إلَيْهِ (صحيح البخاري:1)
Translation: Actions are judged by intentions, and each person will receive the reward according to what they intended. Thus, if a person’s migration was for worldly benefits or to marry a woman, then his migration is for what he intended.

The reason for mentioning this hadith first is to emphasize that before reading Sahih Bukhari, one should first purify their intention for Allah. Otherwise, if the intention is not sincere, and the student seeks knowledge for fame or showing off, then this knowledge may lead them to Hell.

2. Praying to Allah for Knowledge and Guidance: After purifying the intention, the student must make frequent supplications to Allah for an increase in knowledge, especially for understanding the religion. If someone does not understand the religion, no matter how much they read, they will not gain guidance. Understanding of the religion is a great blessing from Allah. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

مَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ به خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ في الدِّينِ (صحيح البخاري:3116)
Translation: When Allah intends good for someone, He grants them understanding of the religion.

Today, we see that many people read the Quran, but only a few are guided by it. Guidance is given only to those whom Allah grants understanding. Scholars have described two types of guidance:
The first type is guidance of explanation, which is the guidance of knowledge and teaching. This refers to the duty of the prophets and scholars to deliver the message, as Allah says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الرَّسُولُ بَلِّغْ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلْ فَمَا بَلَّغْتَ رِسَالَتَهُ (المائدۃ:67)
Translation: O Messenger, convey what has been revealed to you from your Lord. If you do not do so, you have not conveyed His message.

This verse highlights the responsibility of the Prophet to deliver the message of Allah, and after the Prophet’s departure, this responsibility falls upon the scholars. This type of guidance is called guidance of explanation.
The second type is guidance of success (Tawfiq). Not everyone who hears the message accepts it, but only those whom Allah grants the ability to believe and act upon it. This type of guidance is called guidance of success and is only in Allah’s hands. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) invited his uncle Abu Talib to accept Islam in his final moments, he did not accept because Allah did not grant him the success of guidance. Allah mentions this in the Quran:

إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ (القصص:56)
Translation: You cannot guide whom you love, but Allah guides whom He wills. He is most aware of those who are guided.

Therefore, the student of knowledge should continuously pray to Allah for understanding, an increase in knowledge, and a broader chest to grasp the knowledge, while seeking refuge in Allah from unbeneficial knowledge. Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

سَلوا اللهَ عِلمًا نافعًا وتعَوَّذوا باللهِ مِن علمٍ لا ينفعُ (صحيح ابن ماجه:3114)
Translation: Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge in Him from knowledge that does not benefit.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made a special dua for Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) asking Allah to grant him understanding of the Book and wisdom, and we can make similar duas.
اللَّهمّ علّمني الكتاب، وفقّهني في الدين
Translation: O Allah! Teach me the Book and grant me understanding of the religion.

By the blessings of these duas, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) became the scholar of the Ummah.
Similarly, there is a dua in the Quran:
رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا (طہ:114)
Translation: My Lord, increase me in knowledge.

The Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) also made the following dua:
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي (طہ:25-28)
Translation: O my Lord, expand my chest for me, ease my task for me, and loosen the knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech.

Additionally, after the Fajr prayer, one should make a special dua. Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) finished his Fajr prayer, he would say:

اللَّهمَّ إنِّي أسألُكَ عِلمًا نافعًا ورزقًا طيِّبًا وعملًا متقبَّلًا (صحيح ابن ماجه:762)
Translation: O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, pure sustenance, and accepted deeds.

In addition to these, one should also make personal duas in their own language and never forget to make duas during the best times.

Etiquettes to Follow When Acquiring Knowledge in Islam:

Before seeking knowledge, two fundamental points have been explained. Now, let us look at some etiquettes to keep in mind when acquiring knowledge:

(1)Learn Etiquette Before Seeking Knowledge:

The famous saying of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) is well-known:
تَأَدَّبُوا ثُمَّ تَعَلَّمُوا (غذاء الألباب:1/36)
Translation: First learn etiquette, then seek knowledge.

Ibn Mubarak (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
طلبت الأدب ثلاثين سنةً, وطلبت العلم عشرين سنةً, وكانوا يطلبون الأدب قبل العلم (غاية النهاية في طبقات القراء لابن الجزري:1/446)
Translation: I spent thirty years learning etiquette and twenty years seeking knowledge, and people used to learn etiquette before knowledge.

We are also instructed in the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to prioritize etiquette along with knowledge. The following narration of Abu Musa Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) illustrates this:
إِذَا أَدَّبَ الرَّجُلُ أَمَتَهُ فأحْسَنَ تَأْدِيبَهَا، وَعَلَّمَهَا فأحْسَنَ تَعْلِيمَهَا، ثُمَّ أَعْتَقَهَا فَتَزَوَّجَهَا كانَ له أَجْرَانِ (صحيح البخاري:3446)
Translation: If a man teaches his servant good manners, educates her well, then frees her and marries her, he will receive double the reward.

In short, the student should possess good manners, culture, patience, and perseverance. When they come to learn, their behavior should reflect respect in every way—from speech and actions to dealings with others, especially their teachers. They should avoid anything that contradicts etiquette, such as foul language, bad behavior, and immodesty.

(2) Passion for Knowledge:

It is an observation and common experience that those who have a passion for knowledge are the ones who move forward, gain respect and status, and are equipped with knowledge and skills. On the other hand, those who lack the passion and zeal for acquiring knowledge or who learn it out of compulsion or selfish desires do not achieve the true essence of knowledge. Therefore, awaken the heartfelt passion for knowledge within yourself. Let’s look at some examples from the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to learn about knowledge.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: قالتِ النِّسَاءُ للنبيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ: غَلَبَنَا عَلَيْكَ الرِّجَالُ، فَاجْعَلْ لَنَا يَوْمًا مِن نَفْسِكَ، فَوَعَدَهُنَّ يَوْمًا لَقِيَهُنَّ فِيهِ، فَوَعَظَهُنَّ وأَمَرَهُنَّ (صحيح البخاري:101) Translation: The women said to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “The men have surpassed us in benefiting from you. So, appoint a special day for us from yourself.” He promised them a day, and on that day, he met with them, gave them advice, and issued appropriate commands.
The women had such a zeal for acquiring knowledge that they asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) to set aside a specific day for them to benefit from his teachings. The Prophet (peace be upon him) agreed and gave them that day to meet and receive his counsel. This zeal for knowledge is something that is noticeably missing in our time, even among men, as it was so prominent among the women of the Prophet’s time. Meanwhile, the average woman today remains ignorant of essential matters such as divorce, khula (separation), marital rights, menstruation, and other family-related issues.

Like the women, the men would also come to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to learn. Abu Sulayman Malik bin Huwayrith (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: أَتَيْنَا النبيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ، ونَحْنُ شَبَبَةٌ مُتَقَارِبُونَ، فأقَمْنَا عِنْدَهُ عِشْرِينَ لَيْلَةً، فَظَنَّ أنَّا اشْتَقْنَا أهْلَنَا، وسَأَلَنَا عَمَّنْ تَرَكْنَا في أهْلِنَا، فأخْبَرْنَاهُ، وكانَ رَفِيقًا رَحِيمًا، فَقَالَ: ارْجِعُوا إلى أهْلِيكُمْ، فَعَلِّمُوهُمْ ومُرُوهُمْ، وصَلُّوا كما رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي، وإذَا حَضَرَتِ الصَّلَاةُ، فَلْيُؤَذِّنْ لَكُمْ أحَدُكُمْ، ثُمَّ لِيَؤُمَّكُمْ أكْبَرُكُمْ (صحيح البخاري:6008) Translation: We came to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and we were young men of similar age. We stayed with him for twenty nights. The Prophet (peace be upon him) assumed that we were longing for our families, so he asked us about those we had left behind. We informed him, and he was very compassionate and kind. He said: “Return to your families, teach them, instruct them, and pray as you have seen me pray. When the time for prayer comes, let one of you call the adhan, and let the oldest among you lead the prayer.”
This important hadith provides many lessons for those seeking knowledge, such as the desire for knowledge, the time required for it, the need to act on knowledge, and the responsibility to teach others after gaining it.

When we read about the companions of Suffa, our eyes fill with tears. These were people who had no homes, no relatives, only a single cloak, and no food. Yet, they clung to the suffa (the platform) in the Prophet’s mosque and learned from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ سَبْعِينَ مِن أصْحَابِ الصُّفَّةِ ما منهمْ رَجُلٌ عليه رِدَاءٌ، إمَّا إزَارٌ وإمَّا كِسَاءٌ، قدْ رَبَطُوا في أعْنَاقِهِمْ، فَمنها ما يَبْلُغُ نِصْفَ السَّاقَيْنِ، ومنها ما يَبْلُغُ الكَعْبَيْنِ، فَيَجْمَعُهُ بيَدِهِ، كَرَاهيةَ أنْ تُرَى عَوْرَتُهُ (صحيح البخاري:442) Translation: I have seen seventy of the companions of Suffa, none of whom had a cloak. They had only a loincloth or a piece of cloth which they tied around their necks. Some of the cloths reached their lower legs, and some reached their ankles. They would gather it in their hands to avoid exposing their private parts.
Today, we have all the comforts of the world, yet the passion for acquiring religious knowledge is fading. To inspire a passion for knowledge within us, let me share a story of a great scholar from Andalusia, which will ignite that zeal for learning within us.

In the western region of Andalusia, which is now part of Spain and Portugal, there was a renowned scholar named Baki bin Mukhallad. He was a poor man with no wealth, but he had a tremendous passion for knowledge. He had heard of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him), who was the greatest scholar on earth and the Imam of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama’ah, residing in Baghdad. So, he set out on foot from Andalusia, traveling through the Maghreb, islands, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Palestine, and Jordan, all the way to Iraq and Baghdad. After reaching Baghdad, he learned that the government had prohibited Imam Ahmad from teaching. However, Baki did not lose hope and found a way to learn by going to Imam Ahmad’s gatherings in the guise of a beggar, taking one or two hadiths each time he attended. He continued this for several years until he gained knowledge. Upon returning to Andalusia, he became one of the leading scholars of his time. According to Hafiz Ibn Asakir, he illuminated the entire region of Andalusia with his knowledge. Imam Abu Bakr Ahmad bin Abi Khaythama said, “When Imam Baki is in a city, there is no need for the people to come to us.”
This is not just a tale; it is a true story, so profound that many scholars have recorded it in their books, such as Kayfa Asbahu A’zaamā’ Lil-Kiribani (How Can You Become Great?) and Kayfa Tusbah A’laman (How to Become a Scholar?). This story demonstrates how one can become a scholar and great in their field.
From this story, we learn that a passion for knowledge is essential for success in acquiring it. Furthermore, it teaches us that knowledge requires effort and perseverance, and a continuous and consistent pursuit of knowledge is necessary. Therefore, students should strive to uphold these etiquettes while seeking knowledge.

(3) Striving for Knowledge:

The same kind of struggle that you learned from the story of Baki bin Mukhallad should be cultivated within you. There is a famous saying: اَلْعِلْمُ لَا یُعْطِیْک بَعضہ حَتّٰی تُعْطِیہ کُلَّکَ “Knowledge will not give you part of it until you surrender yourself completely to it.”

(4) Adhering to a System in Acquiring Knowledge: To acquire knowledge, it is essential to create a structured system. If you are part of an educational institution, they already have a well-organized curriculum. We must follow a predetermined educational system to gain knowledge. Without a system, there is a major disruption in learning, whereas with a system, we can see how scholars and jurists emerge from educational institutions.

(5) Continuity and Consistency in Education: It is crucial to continuously seek knowledge. If you learn something and then stop, you will forget what you learned and lose interest in further learning. Consistency is key.

(6) Financial Investment for Knowledge: 

Acquiring knowledge requires spending money, so don’t hesitate to invest in acquiring Islamic knowledge. It is surprising how, when there is a nominal fee in religious schools, some people hesitate to pay it or hesitate to enroll their children in such schools. However, when it comes to schools and colleges where hefty fees are charged, we don’t hesitate to pay. Additionally, if anyone is hindered from acquiring knowledge due to financial constraints, we should help them, even if it’s just by providing a book, pen, notebook, bag, clothing, or even paying for their fees and food. This assistance will bring blessings to your wealth. Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates:

كانَ أخَوانِ على عَهْدِ النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ فَكانَ أحدُهُما يأتي النَّبيَّ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ والآخرُ يحترِفُ، فشَكَى المحترفُ أخاهُ إلى النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ فقالَ: لعلَّكَ ترزقُ بِهِ (صحيح الترمذي:2345)
Translation: During the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), there were two brothers. One used to stay with the Prophet (PBUH), and the other worked for a living. The one who worked complained about his brother to the Prophet (PBUH), and the Prophet (PBUH) replied: “Perhaps you are being provided for because of him.”

This hadith offers good news for those who spend money for the pursuit of religious knowledge.

(7) Don’t Be Ashamed to Seek Knowledge:

Many people hesitate to ask questions or seek knowledge because of shame. However, there should be no shame in seeking knowledge. Our Lord does not shy away from speaking the truth, and that is why Allah says:

وَاللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي مِنَ الْحَقِّ (الاحزاب:53)
Translation: And Allah does not shy away from the truth.

Women in the time of the Prophet (PBUH) did not feel embarrassed when asking for knowledge and would directly ask the Prophet (PBUH) for clarification on matters. Consider how one of the female companions asked the Prophet (PBUH) using the verse of the Qur’an as a reference. Umm Sulaym, the wife of Abu Talhah, came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said:

جَاءَتْ أُمُّ سُلَيْمٍ امْرَأَةُ أبِي طَلْحَةَ إلى رَسولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ فَقالَتْ يا رَسولَ اللَّهِ: إنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَسْتَحْيِي مِنَ الحَقِّ، هلْ علَى المَرْأَةِ مِن غُسْلٍ إذَا هي احْتَلَمَتْ؟ فَقالَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ: نَعَمْ إذَا رَأَتِ المَاءَ (صحيح البخاري:282)
Translation: Umm Sulaym, the wife of Abu Talhah, came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, Allah does not shy away from the truth. Does a woman have to perform ghusl (ritual purification) if she experiences a wet dream?” The Prophet (PBUH) replied: “Yes, if she sees water (semen).”

This incident shows how women during the time of the Prophet (PBUH) were not ashamed to seek knowledge and ask questions, even about intimate matters.

Aisha (RA) also mentioned:
نِعْمَ النِّسَاءُ نِسَاءُ الأنْصَارِ لَمْ يَكُنْ يَمْنَعُهُنَّ الحَيَاءُ أنْ يَتَفَقهْنَ في الدِّينِ (صحيح مسلم:332)
Translation: “The women of the Ansar were the best; their modesty did not prevent them from seeking knowledge in religion.”

From these examples, we understand that neither men nor women should be ashamed to acquire religious knowledge, regardless of their age. If shame becomes an obstacle, they should reflect on these teachings and remember Allah’s command:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا (البقرۃ:26)
Translation: Certainly, Allah is not shy to present an example of even a mosquito or anything smaller.

(8) Conveying Second-hand Information:

Many people say things like “What’s the use of going to that place? It’s all just hearsay, and everything is available on YouTube nowadays.” This is a grave mistake, ignorance, and mockery of the knowledge of Prophethood. First of all, our scholars emphasize the foundational aspects of religion, especially the knowledge of Tawheed (monotheism) and correct beliefs, which all Prophets conveyed. Allah says:

وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِي كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ رَّسُولًا أَنِ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَاجْتَنِبُوا الطَّاغُوتَ (النحل:36)
Translation: And We have sent to every nation a Messenger saying, “Worship Allah and avoid false gods.”

And Allah says:

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدُونِ (الانبیاء:25)
Translation: And We did not send before you any Messenger but We revealed to him that there is no deity but I, so worship Me.

These two verses show the significance of the belief in Tawheed, which all the Prophets preached. The correctness of one’s belief is essential for the acceptance of their actions. Thus, to understand the correct religion, we must connect with qualified scholars and attend their gatherings to learn. This is especially important in these times of confusion, where innovation, polytheism, and misguidance are often presented attractively. To protect ourselves from these trials and to gain true knowledge, it is crucial to remain connected to the original sources of the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH) through qualified scholars.

Allah sent the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to complete Islam, and this religion is to be studied and taught until the Day of Judgment. To belittle even the smallest aspect of this religion or mock it falls into the realm of disbelief. Allah also commands reminding each other:

وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَىٰ تَنفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (الذاریات:55)
Translation: And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.

Being involved in scholarly reminders is a characteristic of the believers, and Allah has commanded this. If anyone says, “What’s the point of repeating these things, it’s just hearsay,” this is disrespecting the knowledge of Shari’ah and the word of Allah. We must understand that knowledge is obtained by sitting with scholars and learning, just as the companions of the Prophet (PBUH) used to learn directly from him. The chain of narrations in hadith shows that knowledge, particularly of Islam, should be sought by attending the gatherings of scholars.

(9) Preservation of Knowledge:

A common complaint from students is that they forget what they learn or cannot retain what they hear. What approach should be adopted to overcome this? The answer to this question is that forgetfulness is a human trait, and everyone forgets. However, with some focus, intellectual maturity can be developed. In this regard, the advice given by Imam Waki’ (رحمه الله), the teacher of Imam Shafi’ (رحمه الله), is extremely important. When Imam Shafi’ complained to his teacher Imam Waki’ about forgetfulness, he responded with the following advice:

شَكَوْتُ إِلیٰ وَکِیْعٍ سُوْئَ حِفْظِيْ-فَأَوْصَانِيْ إِلیٰ تَرْكِ الْمَعَاصِيْ
فَإِن الْعِلْمَ نُوْرٌ مِنْ إِلٰہٖ-وَنُوْرُ اللّٰہِ لَا یُعْطیٰ لِلْعَاصِيْ

Translation: I complained to my teacher Imam Waki’ about my poor memory, and he advised me to avoid sin, saying that knowledge is a divine light, and the light of Allah is not granted to the sinner.

Thus, those who seek knowledge should avoid sins so that the knowledge they acquire remains preserved. Additionally, there are other steps to be taken:

• The student should attend classes regularly and listen attentively, as if a bird is perched on their head.
• A notebook should be kept to jot down important points.
• After lessons, review the notes and engage in discussions with peers to reinforce the learning.

(10) Whom Should Knowledge Be Acquired From?

In today’s world, where many unqualified individuals spread teachings on social media, a common question arises: from whom should knowledge be acquired? Before answering this, it is important to understand that we are seeking knowledge of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), for these are the legacy that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) left for us. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

ترَكْتُ فيكم أَمرينِ ، لَن تضلُّوا ما تمسَّكتُمْ بِهِما : كتابَ اللَّهِ وسنَّةَ رسولِهِ(أخرجه مالك في الموطأ:2/899 و حسنه ألباني في تخريج مشكاة المصابيح:184)

Translation: I have left among you two things, and as long as you hold fast to them, you will never go astray: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.

Similarly, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

فضلُ العالمِ على العابدِ كفضلِ القمرِ على سائرِ الكواكبِ إنَّ العلماءَ ورثةُ الأنبياءِ إنَّ الأنبياءَ لم يورِّثوا دينارًا ولا درْهمًا إنَّما ورَّثوا العلمَ فمَن أخذَ بِهِ فقد أخذَ بحظٍّ وافرٍ(صحيح الترمذي:2682)

Translation: The superiority of a scholar over a worshiper is like the superiority of the moon over all the stars. The scholars are the heirs of the prophets. The prophets did not leave behind gold or silver, but they left knowledge. So whoever takes it, has taken a great share.

Looking at these two Hadiths, we learn that we should acquire knowledge from those who are part of the scholarly class, as the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) made scholars the heirs of his knowledge. This knowledge of Prophethood and Shari’ah is not something trivial that we can take from anyone. We must seek it from those scholars who themselves possess knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah and teach others based on them. Allah has granted preference to scholars over worshipers, and thus, knowledge should be sought from scholars, not mere worshipers. This is where we understand that it is incorrect to acquire religious knowledge from professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, or others who are not from the scholarly class, because they have not acquired knowledge following the established methods of the early generations. Therefore, they may not understand Shari’ah as understood by the Salaf, and if they do not understand it properly, how can they impart correct knowledge to others? Regarding such people, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:

إنَّ من أشراطِ الساعةِ أنْ يُلتمسَ العلمُ عند الأصاغرِ(سلسله احاديث صحيحه ترقیم البانی: 695)

Translation: Among the signs of the Hour is that knowledge will be sought from the younger ones.

Also, consider the following statement from Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (رضي الله عنه):

لا يزالُ الناسُ بخيرٍ ما أخذُوا العلمَ عن أكابرِهم فإذا أخذُوه من أصاغرِهم وشرارِهم هلَكوا(السلسلة الصحيحة:2/310)

Translation: People will continue to be in good condition as long as they acquire knowledge from their elders. But when they begin to take knowledge from the younger ones and the wicked, they will perish.

By “younger ones,” it refers to those who are either younger in age or who have not acquired knowledge correctly, and further elaboration indicates that those who have not properly learned the Book and the Sunnah, or who do not understand it in the way of the Salaf, should not be considered suitable sources for learning. This is why our elders advised against seeking knowledge from those who are less knowledgeable or from people of innovation. Let me share some statements of the Salaf to further clarify this sensitive issue:

• Sheikh Bakar Abu Zaid, in his book Hilyat al-Talib al-Ilm, said: “من دخل في العلم وحده، خرج وحده” — “Whoever enters into knowledge alone, leaves alone,” meaning that those who embark on seeking knowledge without a proper scholar or teacher will end up with no real knowledge.
• Imam Muhammad ibn Sirin (رحمه الله) said: “إِنَّ هَذَا الْعِلْمَ دِينٌ فَلْيَنْظُرْ الرَّجُلُ عَمَّنْ يَأْخُذُ دِينَهُ” — “This knowledge is a part of the religion, so a person should be careful from whom he acquires his religion.” (Muqaddimah Sahih Muslim)
• Imam Malik ibn Anas (رحمه الله) said: “إن هذا العلم هو لحمك ودمك وعنه تسأل يوم القيامة ، فانظر عمن تأخذه” — “This knowledge is your flesh and blood, and you will be questioned about it on the Day of Judgment. So be careful from whom you take it.” (Muwatta Imam Malik)

From these statements, it is clear how scholars and Hadith scholars emphasized acquiring knowledge from those who learned it from authentic sources and followed the correct methodology. Thus, we should seek knowledge only from those scholars who have studied under recognized scholars and who adhere to the correct creed and methodology, as they alone can truly impart the knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah.

(11) Practical Demands of Seeking Knowledge:

When we acquire knowledge, the practical demand is that we act upon it. At the same time, we should invite others to it and demonstrate patience and perseverance in calling others to Islam. Essentially, there are three main demands of knowledge that Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, has outlined in Surah Al-Asr. Every student should read the explanation of this Surah and apply the principles of success and salvation that Allah has mentioned in it.

(12) Environment and Memorization/Study:

Lastly, I advise the student to choose a good environment and associate with knowledgeable and sincere companions so that they are not discouraged from studying. This will help them not only retain what they learn but also act upon it. If suitable companions are not available, then one should make religious books their companions, making them a constant source of guidance. The Arabic poet Al-Mutanabbi has a famous line: “خير جليس في الزمان كتاب” — “The best companion in the world is a book.”

You should select religious books suitable for your level through your teacher and make it a habit to read regularly at appropriate times. In addition to this, you should memorize important Surahs, Ayahs, and Ahadith from the Quran and Hadith, under the guidance of your teacher. Even if it is little, make it a habit to memorize consistently, and keep in mind the four rules of memorization to make the process easier. First, have the teacher correct what you are memorizing, then memorize with focus. After memorizing, keep repeating it, as without repetition, you will forget. Finally, regularly review what you have memorized.