What is Beneficial Islamic Knowledge? – The Virtues of Knowledge in the Sunna from Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhammadiyya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
This is the fifth in a series of six articles based on the SeekersGuidance Course on Imam Birgivi’s discussion on Beneficial Islamic Knowledge in his Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya.
The Virtues Of Knowledge In The Sunna Of Our Beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace)
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) emphasized that his guidance, or Sunna, centered on his role as a teacher. He said, “I was only sent as a teacher,” highlighting the importance of this mission.
The Prophet also explained that the legacy left by prophets is knowledge, not material wealth. He said, “The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, for the prophets leave behind no wealth, rather what they leave behind is knowledge. So whoever takes of it has taken a tremendous share.”
Imam Birgivi, Allah be pleased with him, reminds us of the many narrations that praise the virtues of knowledge.
Seeking Knowledge: A Journey to Paradise and the Honor of the Scholar
Imam Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud narrate a story about a man named Kathir Ibn Qais, Allah be pleased with him. The account describes how a man traveled from Madinah to meet Abu Darda, who was in Damascus at the time—a city that had been opened by the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, Allah be pleased with them. Abu Darda, a revered companion of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), asked the man, “What brings you here, my brother?”
The man responded that he had come to hear a specific hadith he had heard Abu Darda was narrating from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. This incident highlights the dedication of the early Muslims to seeking authentic knowledge and preserving the faith. Although the man had already heard the hadith indirectly, he traveled all the way to Damascus to verify it directly from Abu Darda.
So he traveled a month’s journey from Medina to Damascus by land in the heat of Arabia. So Abu Darda wanted to confirm this. So he asked him, “Did you not come for any need?” Meaning any worldly need? And the man said no. He said, “You did not come for any trade?” He said no. He didn’t come for trade. Trade between the lands of Sham and the Hijaz was well established. The two great journeys, the journey of winter to Yemen and the journey of the summer to Sham, the lands of Greater Syria. He didn’t come for anything but to hear this hadith.
In response, Abu Darda shared the hadith: “Whoever embarks on a path seeking knowledge, Allah will guide them, through this pursuit, onto a path to Paradise. Indeed, the angels lower their wings out of pleasure for the seeker of knowledge.” This signifies that for someone striving for knowledge for the sake of Allah, even the angels honor them by lowering their wings for them to tread upon. Furthermore, Abu Darda continued, “Those in the heavens and on earth seek forgiveness for the person of knowledge—even the fish in the sea.”
This hadith, found in its root form in Bukhari and Muslim and narrated with this wording in Tirmidhi, also underscores the importance of seeking knowledge with proper manners and etiquette (adab).
Seeking knowledge with care, concern, and adab ensures that Allah facilitates the seeker’s path to Paradise. However, one must act upon that knowledge to truly reach Paradise. A person of knowledge who implements what they learn fulfills the very purpose for which Allah created existence. As a result, the creation in both the heavens and the earth seeks forgiveness for such a person—even the fish in the sea.
This is because a person of knowledge, embodying prophetic wisdom, carries a mercy and concern for the well-being of all creation. Their actions reflect goodness that extends even to the fish in the oceans, as they respect the rights of all living beings. This includes refraining from polluting the waters or harming Allah’s creatures unnecessarily. For example, recreational fishing that causes pain to fish without necessity is impermissible, while fishing for sustenance is allowed, as it fulfills a rightful purpose.
The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper is like the brilliance of the full moon compared to the other stars, as the full moon illuminates the night sky far more brightly than any individual star. Scholars are described as the inheritors of the prophets, and this inheritance implies a direct relationship—not one of lineage, but one of learning. Just as inheritance within a family is reserved for close relatives, such as children rather than distant relations like nephews, the inheritance of prophetic knowledge is passed directly from teacher to student.
Being among the inheritors of the prophets is an extraordinary and exalted rank because this is what the prophets have left behind.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali’s book Heirs of the Prophets beautifully explores this concept, and it has been skillfully translated by Imam Zaid Shakir, Allah bless and preserve him.
In the following hadiths, which highlight the virtues of knowledge, we are reminded that the beloved Messenger of Allah said, “The best of worship is fiqh—religious understanding.” Furthermore, he taught that the best of religious practice is scrupulousness—being cautious and careful in one’s approach to religion. This is narrated by Imam Tabarani.
There is another hadith. Imam Tabarani relates in Al-Awsat from Abdullah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “A little knowledge is better than a lot of worship.” This is because even a small amount of knowledge allows one to worship more effectively outwardly and with greater sincerity inwardly. It fosters the presence of heart and other qualities that are pleasing to Allah, Most High.
This is narrated by Imam Tabarani, who also transmits the following narration in which the Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever reaches the end of their life actively seeking knowledge will meet Allah Most High, and there will be nothing between them and the rank of prophethood except the station of prophethood itself.” This implies that the best of people, after the prophets, are those who possess knowledge and act upon it.
In the next hadith, Allah Most High will address the people of knowledge on the Day of Judgment from His throne as He prepares to judge His servants. He will say, “I did not bestow My knowledge and forbearance upon you except because I intended to forgive you, and it is of no concern to Me.” This highlights two key qualities: knowledge and forbearance. Forbearance refers to exercising restraint when provoked and responding in a measured and appropriate manner.
In the next hadith, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said that Allah Most High will bring forth the scholar, the devotee, and the worshipper on the Day of Judgment. The sincere worshipper will be told to enter Paradise, while the scholar will be commanded to stand and intercede for others. Intercession is a distinct honor granted to the prophets, and it is also extended to scholars. They are allowed to intercede for their parents, families, students, communities, and others. This privilege, however, is reserved for those who truly embody the qualities of genuine people of knowledge.
In another hadith narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is 70 degrees. The distance between each degree is like the journey of a horse traveling for 70 years.”
This is because a scholar, through their knowledge, can recognize innovations introduced by Shaytan to lead people astray and can warn against them. In contrast, the worshipper focuses solely on their devotion to Allah but lacks the capacity to guide others or prevent wrongdoing.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also said:
“Allah is not worshipped with anything better than understanding of the religion. One person of deep understanding (fiqh) in the religion is harder on Shaytan than a thousand worshippers.” He continued: “Everything has a support, and the support of the religion is deep understanding (fiqh).”
Here, fiqh broadly refers to profound and sound comprehension of the religion, encompassing both its spiritual and legal dimensions, including the rulings for those morally responsible. Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “For me, sitting for even a short while to gain religious understanding is more beloved than spending Laylat al-Qadr in prayer.”
This statement highlights the immense value he placed on acquiring knowledge. Why? Because knowledge is the foundation upon which all acts of devotion—both for oneself and others—are built.
Abu Umama narrates that two individuals were mentioned to the Messenger of Allah—one a worshiper and the other a scholar. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The superiority of a scholar over a worshiper is like my superiority over the least of you.”
The scholars explain that this comparison is not limited to humans alone, but extends to all creatures. Indeed, Allah, His angels, and all beings in the heavens and on earth—including the ant in its hole and the fish in the sea—pray for those who teach others what is good.
This is a tremendous blessing, especially when it comes to religious knowledge. It means that they seek forgiveness for the teacher and ask Allah to remove any unbecoming qualities from them while granting them the qualities that are truly worthy.
One reason why the ants and the fish pray for those who teach good is because mercy and blessings descend upon the earth due to the presence of the righteous and the knowledgeable among us.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also mentioned that on the Day of Resurrection, the prophets will intercede first, followed by the scholars, and then the martyrs. This is narrated by Uthman ibn Affan (Allah be pleased with him) in the Sunan of Ibn Maja.
In another narration from Imam Tabarani, Muawiya (Allah be pleased with him) said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) say: “O people, knowledge is acquired through learning, and understanding comes through jurisprudence. Whoever Allah intends good for, He will grant him understanding in religion. And it is only the scholars who truly fear Allah from among His servants.”
The pursuit of knowledge is an act of worship. Studying it with a teacher, for the sake of Allah, demonstrates khashya (reverent fear of Allah). Preparing for class, reviewing, memorizing—all of these actions are acts of worship. Mudhakara (reviewing) is a form of glorifying Allah, especially when done with others.
Researching knowledge is striving in the path of Allah, while teaching it to those who do not know is a form of charity. Spreading knowledge to its rightful recipients is also an act of charity. This is because knowledge serves as the guide to distinguishing between what is halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden).
Knowledge is the guiding light for those on the path to Paradise. It is the intimate companion in times of solitude, the faithful companion during times of alienation, and the speaker during moments of isolation. It is both a guide in moments of ease and distress, teaching us how to be grateful in times of hardship and content in times of difficulty. Knowledge also serves as a weapon against our enemies.
It is the adornment in the company of close friends, and through it, Allah raises certain people, making them leaders in goodness. These leaders become models for others, and their actions are emulated. People seek their advice and turn to their opinions for guidance.
The angels are eager to draw near to them, using their wings to bless them. Every living and non-living thing, from the fish in the sea to the wild and domesticated animals on land, seeks forgiveness for them, because knowledge is the life of the heart, freeing it from ignorance. It is the light that guides the sight, dispelling the darkness.
Through knowledge, a person can reach the highest stations of virtue and attain the greatest ranks in both this life and the Hereafter. Reflecting on knowledge carries the same reward as fasting, and studying it together is equivalent to the reward of night worship. While it does not replace it, knowledge strengthens our family ties and maintains the bonds between us.
Knowledge is the leader of actions, and actions follow knowledge. It is through knowledge that the people of happiness are guided, while those destined for misery and loss are kept away from it.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to Sayyidina Abu Dharr: “O Abu Dharr, for you to go forth and learn a verse from the Book of Allah is better for you than praying a hundred rak’ahs. And for you to go forth and learn a chapter of knowledge, even if it is not acted upon, is better than praying a thousand rak’ahs.” This emphasizes the superiority of seeking knowledge over mere worship, highlighting that the pursuit of knowledge is more than just memorization.
Key Qualities Of The People Of Knowledge
If we examine the Sunna, we find that there are five key qualities of the people of knowledge:
- The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets, and it is important for one to seek that inheritance.
- This inheritance carries an elevated rank, which is both an honor—indicative of Allah’s pleasure—and a responsibility and trust.
- The scholars are like guiding lights, similar to stars in the dark,
- serving as guardians of knowledge and truth.
- They are called to embody humility and sincerity, qualities that are emphasized in numerous hadiths.
Additionally, a hadith reported by Imam Bayhaqi states that knowledge will be carried by the trustworthy individuals of each generation. They will correct the distortions of the misguided, the false claims of the liars, and the wrong interpretations of the ignorant.
One of the essential qualities of a scholar is trustworthiness—both in words, actions, and knowledge. This is a rank of great honor, so seek it, but do so for the sake of Allah, and act in accordance with that purpose.
We ask Allah to make us among the people of true knowledge. These are some of the virtues of knowledge as seen in the Quran and the noble Sunna of our beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace).
Articles in This Series
- Obligatory Knowledge from Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhammadiyya
- Prohibited Knowledge from Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhammadiyya
- Recommended Knowledge from Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhammadiyya
- The Virtues of Knowledge in the Quran from Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhammadiyya
- The Virtues of Knowledge in the Sunna from Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhammadiyya
- Virtues of Knowledge and Good Intentions from Birgivi’s Tariqa Muhammadiyya
