Steps to Knowledge

Steps to Knowledge.. 

 

Sufyân b. ‘Uyainah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

The first step in knowledge is to listen, then to be quiet & attentive, then to preserve it, then to put it into practice & then to spread it.

Abû Nu’aym, Hilyah Al-Awliyâ` Vol.3 p283.  

Knowledge Transforms the Students

Al-Hasan Al-Basrî  (Allaah have mercy on him) said:

 

“When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue & his hands, in his prayer, in his speech & in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements. And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge & put it into practice, & it would be better for him than the world & all it contains – if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the Hereafter.”

Ibn Al-Mubârak, Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqâ`iq Vol.1 p.156.

Learn Knowledge before it is taken away...

 

It is reported that Abû Al-Dardâ` –(Allâh be pleased with him) used to say:

 “Learn knowledge before it is taken way, & it is taken away by its people (scholars) being taken away. The scholar & the student are partners in good & there is NO good in any other people. The richest of men is the knowledgeable man whose knowledge is needed: he benefits those who need him & if done without, he benefits himself with the knowledge Allâh ‘azza wa jalla has placed with him. 

Knowledge on the mind..

                  

 It is reported that Al-Husayn b. Muhammad said:  

Muhammad b. Ismâ`îl Al-Bukhârî was distinguished with three qualities – in addition to the rest of his praiseworthy traits: 'He never spoke much, he never yearned for what people had. He would never occupy himself with other people’s affairs; all his attention was towards knowledge.'

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ`

Staining Sacred Knowledge

"Everything has something staining it, & the stain of Scared Knowledge is covetousness (ie. wealth, fame)."

Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī [d 110H/728CE]

O student! If you want knowledge from its sources…

 

Ibn Barjas: 

"O student! If you want knowledge from its sources then you should stick to the great scholars [Kibâr-ul-'ulama]: those who have gray beards & weak bodies & have lost their power in [pursuit of] knowledge & educating. Stick to them before they disappear & take from their treasure before they take it with them. One misses the full-moon in the dark night." 

(al-'Awa'iq, p. 26)