Chapter 38. Learning Sacred Knowledge For The Sake Of This World, Or Concealing It

Allah Most High says,

Those truly fear Allah among His servants who have knowledge, for Allah, is Exalted in Might, oft-Forgiving. (Fatir: 28)

This verse clearly refers to the scholars who are acquainted with Allah, Most High. Ibn Abbas said, "What is meant, are those who are well acquainted with Allah's Might, Dignity and Power and (will) fear Him more than all other people." Mujahid and Al-Shabi said, "The men of knowledge are those who fear Allah."

Al-Rabi said further, "Whoever has no fear of Allah, he will never be decreed to be a scholar."

Allah Most High also said,

Those who conceal the clear signs we have sent down, and the Guidance, after we have made it clear for the people in the Book, on them shall be Allah's curse and the curse of those entitled to curse. (Al-Baqarah: 159)

This verse was revealed as a condemnation to the Jewish scholars. The clear signs refer to the Divine prescriptions, rules and penalties.

The Guidance means the prophecies of Muhammad (pbuh) and his features in their book. After we have made it clear for the people refers to the children of Israel. The Book refers to the Torah. On them means those who conceal the truth. And the curse of those who are entitled to curse refers to all of creation except jinn and mankind as Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) stated. Ibn Masud said, "When two Muslims indulge in cursing, their curse would return to the Jews and the Christians who conceal the prophecies of and features of Muhammad (pbuh) in their books."

Moreover, Allah Most High states,

And remember Allah took a covenant from the people of the Book, to make it known and clear to mankind, and not to hide it, but they threw it away behind their backs, and purchased with it some miserable gain! And vile was the bargain they made. (Al-Imran: 186)

Al-Wahdi stated, "These verses were revealed concerning the Jews of Medina whom Allah commanded to publicize the prophecies, features and the mission of Muhammad (pbuh) as stated in their Book, the Torah.

To make it known and clear to mankind,

refers to Allah's Covenant with the Jewish scholars to make clear to the people what was in their book, including the prophecies of Muhammad (pbuh) as Al-Hasan stated But they threw it away behind their backs. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, "They broke their commitment" "And purchased with it some miserable gain!" They preferred valueless and mean interests over explaining the truth. And vile was the bargain they made. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) commented, "They made a miserable trade and gained nothing except loss and damnation."

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) declared,

"Will never smell the fragrance of Paradise, the one who seeks sacred knowledge for the sake of worldly-gain.” [Abu Dawud]

The hadith reported by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), that was previously mentioned, explained that one of the three men who would be dragged to Hell-fire is the person who sought knowledge in order that people would call him a scholar.

Furthermore, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"Anyone who seeks sacred knowledge to vie with scholars, argue with fools, or win people's hearts will go to Hell.” [Tirmidhi]

He (pbuh) also said,

"Whoever is asked about an issue of knowledge, and conceals it, on the Day of Judgment he would be held by a rein of fire.” [Abu Dawud]

By the same token, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to supplicate to Allah saying,

"O Allah! I seek refuge in you from knowledge which is of no use.” [Abu Dawud]

He (pbuh) also said,

"Whoever seeks knowledge other than for the sake of Allah, let him await his abode in Hell-fire.” [Tirmidhi]

Ibn Masud (may Allah be pleased with him) commented, "The more the scholar does not behave according to his knowledge, the more arrogant this scholar will be."

On the authority of Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"On the Day of Judgment, the immoral scholar will be thrown into Hell where he would be rounded with a reed like a donkey which round with quern. People would wonder saying, "You are so and so, the scholar who guided us to the straight way!" He would reply, "I used to contradict what I taught you.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Hilal Ibn Al Ala said, "Seeking sacred knowledge is arduous, learning it is harder than seeking it, applying it is harder than learning it, and remaining safe from it is even harder than applying it."

• Showing Off In Good Work
• Breach of Trust

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