EXPLANATION OF THE BOOK
"Etiquette Of A Seeker Of Knowledge"
By Shaykh Bakr Aboo Zayd
Explanation by
Shaykh Muhammad bin Saaleh
bin Al-'Uthaymeen
(May Allaah have mercy upon both of them)
Translated by
Abu Saifillah 'Abdul-Qaadir
POINT THREE: p34: His saying: “...A scholar cannot be considered a scholar...”
Explanation
Means here a knowledgeable person - Rabbaanee, as for being a knowledgeable person in opposition to being an ignorant person. This is said: The one who compiled the book “Al-Munjad” is a Christian and he has great knowledge of Arabic language. Even though there are a great number of mistakes in it and things that go against him from aspects of the religion. But a knowledgeable person that acts upon his knowledge is truly known as a “Rabbaanee” 1 because he trains himself first, then others second.
So acting upon the knowledge is a must, because if he does not act upon his
knowledge then he will be of those who are first being dragged into the fire.2
A poet said:
“The scholar that does not act upon his knowledge will be punished before those that worshipped idols.”
If he does not act upon his knowledge he will inherit failure in his knowledge and no blessings in it and forgetfulness.
This is the meaning of Allaah, The Most High’s saying:
“So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right)places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them.”
[Al-Maa’idah (5):13]
This forgetfulness includes both forgetfulness in mind, and action. It is also forgetfulness in respect of the religion 3 and forgetfulness of abandoning.4The word for forgetfulness in Arabic generally means to leave. As for the one who acts upon his knowledge then Allaah increases him in guidance.5This is the meaning of Allaah, The Most High’s saying:
“While as for those that accept guidance, he increases their guidance and bestows on them their piety.” [Muhammad (47): 17]
So Allaah increases him in Taqwaa, 6 and that is why Allaah then says:
“… and bestows on them their piety.”[Muhammad (47): 17]
If he acts upon his knowledge Allaah gives him Knowledge as long as he does not know (meaning has gaps in his knowledge).
That is why it was reported from 'Alee Ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he said:
“Call out to the knowledge with action and it will either responds or depart.”
The same thing was narrated with a different wording:
“The knowledge calls out to action, so it either answers the call or it departs.”
This is something clear and easy to understand, because if you act upon your knowledge then you will remember it as long as you act upon it.7
By way of example: A man attains knowledge of the description of the Prophet's salaah from the Sunnah, he then acts upon it every time he prays. Is he going to forget that knowledge? No, because he repeats it often. But if he left the action he would forget it. So this is evidence that acting upon knowledge necessitates remembering of the knowledge.8
POINT FOUR: "...Continual Observance (of Allaah) Adorn yourself with the
continual observance of Allaah……….."
Explanation
This is imperative, constantly being aware that one is under the watchful eye of Allaah, and this is from the fruits of fearing Allaah. That a person is with Allaah,constantly worshipping Allaah as though he sees Him.9 When he stands up for prayer and performs ablution it is as though he is implementing the verse in the Qur’aan:
“O you who believe if you stand for prayers then wash your faces…”
[Al-Maa’idah (5):6]
And when he performs his ablution he does it as though he is watching the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) perform ablution and saying:
“Whoever performs ablution like my ablution…..”10
1 T.N - Another description of ‘Rabbaanee’ is one who teaches the people the smaller knowledge before the larger. Being a Rabbaanee is something praised by Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) as He said: “..and be you all Rabbaaniyeen..” Also 'Alee Ibn Abee Taalib (radhiyallaahu anhu) said “People are of three kinds a scholar (Rabaanee), a student of knowledge and Rabble...”
2 T.N – This is based on the hadeeth, three people will be dragged to the hellfire first: a scholar, a mujaahid and one who gave lots of sadaqah. Allaah will ask the scholar: “Why did you attain a great deal of knowledge?” He will reply: “For your sake, O Allaah.” Then Allaah will say to him: “Rather you did it so that it would be said so and so is a scholar - is knowledgeable - and it was said, so drag him to the hellfire…”
3 T.N – As mentioned in the verse above.
4 T.N - Like the saying “Oh just forget him for now..”
5 T.N – and memory as oppose to forgetfulness.
6 T.N – Taqwaa is obeying all that Allaah commands and abstaining from his prohibitions as mentioned in the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah when he was asked: “What is Taqwaa?” He replied: “Have you ever walked down a narrow path where there are thorn bushes on either side of you? That is taqwaa.” He meant avoiding the pricks from the thorns is like avoiding disobedience to Allaah, and Allaah knows best.
7 T.N – A beautiful poem is worth mentioning here from Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee
(rahimahullaah) were he said: “I complained to Waqee' about my lapse in memorization, he instructed me to abandon sinning, and informed me that knowledge is light from Allaah and the light of Allaah is not given to a sinner.”
8 T.N – The Jews did just the opposite they did not act upon their knowledge so Allaah made them forget it and cursed them. A very severe warning from Allaah comes in Soorah Mumtahhinah where Allaah states: “A similitude of those who carried the Tawrah then they did not act upon it is like a donkey that carries books..” [Al-Jumu’aah (62):5] Also the saying of Allaah, The Most High:“O you who believe, why do you say that which you do not do, what a great sin it is with Allaah that you say what you do not do.” [Soorah As-Saff (61): 2-3].
9 T.N – This is based on the hadeeth of Jibr'eel ('alayhis-salaam) when he asked the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) about ‘Ihsaan’ he replied: “It is to worship Allaah as though you see Him and though you cannot see Him know that He sees you...”
10 Ahmad, An-Nasaa’ee, Abu Daawood, and it is in Saheeh Al-Jaami' (6176).
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