What Does It Mean That Knowledge Will Be Taken Away Before the Final Hour?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

In the hadith about the Final Hour, what does it mean that knowledge will be taken away?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.

The Beloved Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) explained this matter clearly in an authentic hadith narrated in Muslim and elsewhere. He informed us that Allah does not remove knowledge by taking it away from people’s hearts. Instead, knowledge is taken away through the passing of the scholars.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) explained that scholars will continue to pass away until a time comes when no people of knowledge remain. At that point, people will take the unlearned as their leaders. These leaders will be misguided themselves and will misguide others.

The essential meaning of this teaching is that knowledge is preserved through the preservation of scholars, and knowledge is lifted through their passing.

A Renewed Sense of Responsibility

When we hear of the passing of a great scholar, in any field of sacred knowledge, even if we may have disagreed with them, we should feel a renewed sense of urgency. These are people who carried a portion of the knowledge of the Quran and a portion of the teachings of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

As believers, our responsibility is not limited to personal belief and righteous action alone. Allah Most High tells us in Surat al-‘Asr:

“By the (passage of) time! Surely humanity is in (grave) loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.” [Quran, 103:1-3]

Belief and righteous deeds represent our personal duty to Allah. However, counseling one another in truth and steadfastness represents our social responsibility before Allah.

This public responsibility entails caring collectively about the truth and remaining steadfast upon it. It also involves concern for all aspects of the public good, including the preservation of religion, life, intellect, wealth, honor, and all dimensions of human good.

Preserving Knowledge in Practice

From this understanding, we should feel a responsibility to preserve knowledge. This includes supporting local institutions of learning, Quran schools, and centers of knowledge, as well as promoting those who disseminate sacred knowledge worldwide.

It also includes concern for those who support the scholars themselves. Many scholars across the Umma are in extremely difficult circumstances. In some places, full-time teachers at religious seminaries earn only a minimal amount each month, which is insufficient to meet their basic needs. Many are forced to work multiple jobs, lack access to proper healthcare, live without consistent electricity, and are unable to fully dedicate themselves to training the next generation of scholars.

Responding to the Signs of the Hour

Concern for the signs of the Final Hour should not lead to passive observation. Instead, it should prompt us to ask what we are doing to preserve what is good. The Final Hour will not arise until only those devoid of good remain, as mentioned in the Prophetic tradition.

One of the practical ways to support the Prophetic legacy in these times is by supporting scholars and students of knowledge. SeekersGuidance, for example, facilitates this through initiatives such as the Islamic Scholars Fund, which supports deserving scholars and students around the world and is zakat-eligible. Please see: Islamic Scholars Fund (ISF)

May Allah grant us sincerity, concern for the preservation of knowledge, and the ability to support the inheritors of the Prophets.

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.