Seeking knowledge is one of important things in Islam. Islam views seeking knowledge as a part of worship that must be done by all of Moslem.
The obligation of seeking knowledge is not only in the field of religious, but this includes all of fields in this world that be useful in our lives. The command of seeking knowledge is arranged in the Al-Qur’an and Al-Hadith.
Seeking knowledge also becomes a differentiator between a smart person with a stupid person. Because that knowledge can be a live provision to get success in your life. Success is not only in this world but also in the Hereafter later.
In this case, knowledge is one form of muamalah duniawiyah. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala obligates every Moslem both men or women to seek knowledge as high as they can. It is starting from the children’s ages until the time of die arrives as a hadith below :
أُطْلُبِ الْعِلْمَ مِنَ الْمَهْدِ إِلَى الَّلحْدِ
“Seeking knowledge from cradle to the grave.” (Al Hadits)
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So, what are the obligation of seeking knowledge in Islam? Let see the clear explanation about that in this article below.
رواه إبن عبد البر)) طَلَبُ اْلعِلْمَ فَرِيْضِةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ وَ مُسْلِمَةٍ
“The law of seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Moslem men and Moslem women.” (Narrated by Abu Abdil Barr)
In this hadith, it is clear that seeking knowledge in Islam is an obligation for all of Moslem. It can be a differentiator between Moslem and the ignorance.
If we like to seek knowledge in the outside, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala will always protect us in His way until we finish because Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala loves people like that. He will also ease their way to the Heaven late. As it is explained in the hadith below :
مَنْ خَرَجَ فِى طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَهُوَ فِى سَبِيْلِ اللهِ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ
“Whoever go out to seek knowledge, then he is in the way of Allah until he is back.”
وَعَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ قَالَ:وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيْقًايَلْتَمِسُ فِيْهِ عِلْمًا,سَهَّلَ اللهُ لَهُ طَرِيْقًا إِلَى الجَنَّةِ
“Whoever walk in the way of seeking knowledge, then Allah will ease his way to the Heaven.”
Seeking knowledge includes all of sciences, including studying about Al-Qur’an. By deepening Al-Qur’an, we can know everything because Al-Qur’an is the source of science. If we recite it everyday and teach it to others, it can be a helper in the Hereafter later. As it is mentioned in the hadith below :
إِقْرَؤُالْقُرْاآنَ، فَإِنَّهُ يَأْتِيْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شَفِيْعًا لِأَصْحَابِهْ
“Read Al-Qur’an, because indeed that Al-Qur’an will come to the Hereafter as a helper for its readers.” (Narrated by Ahmad and Muslim)
By seeking knowledge, that person will become a glory person and Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala will rise the degree of people who have knowledge. AS it is mentioned in the word of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala below :
“… Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with that you do.” (Q.S. Mujaadilah : 11) [AdSense-B]
Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘Alaih Wa sallam said :
“If the grandchildren of Adam is die, then disconnect his deeds except three things : jariyah shadaqah, useful knowledge and righteous children who pray their parents.” (Narrated by Muslim from Abu Hurairah r.a.)
“And if whatever trees upon the earth were pens and the sea [was ink], replenished thereafter by seven [more] seas, the words of Allah would not be exhausted. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Q.S. Luqman : 27)
“Seeking knowledge although until China.” (Narrated by Ibn Adi and Al-Baihaqi from Anas)
[AdSense-A] That hadith shows that the places for seeking knowledge are unlimited in one place. This also shows that seeking knowledge is not only with one teacher but you can learn with many teachers everywhere.
“Whoever walk in one way to seek knowledge, then Allah eases his way to the Heaven. And indeed angels put their wings for knowledge seeker as a willing sign with something that he did.” (Narrated by Muslim in a long hadith)
“Whoever go out in order to thalabul knowledge (seeking knowledge), then he is in sabilillah until he is back.” (Narrated by Tirmidzi, hasan)
Teaching knowledge is also an obligation that must be done by those who have knowledge. Because by teaching knowledge to others, then we will get rewards from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala and He will raise our degree.
Besides that, by teaching others, we have also given advantages to others that they can use in their lives. Even Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was sent by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to gave knowledge for Moslem in this world.
In a hadith from Muawiyah r.a., Rasulullah saw said :
“Whoever Allah wants to give a kindness to him, then Allah will understand him in (problem) din (religion).” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari number 71 and Muslim number 1037).
This hadith shows about the signs of Allah who wants to give kindness to His servant. Because of that, if you understand about religious problems, then you will worship to Allah SWT and you will also invite others to do good deeds.
Ibn Qoyim said that indeed the heart can get two diseases, they are syubhat and syahwat. But all of these diseases are caused by foolishness and the medicine is knowledge. In Al Muwaththo, the creation of Imam Malik, said that Lukman said to his son :
“O my son, sit with Ulama and close to them with your knees (socialize with them). Then indeed Allah SWT revives dead hearts with the light of wisdom as enliven (nourish) the earth with heavy rain.” (The book of Al Ilmu Fadluhu wa Syarfahu page 228)
As Moslem, our akhlaq can be reflected from our behavior. Knowledge that is had by someone can reflect his akhlaq. Because knowledge contains systematic orders and it can form someone’s character.
In a hadith Rasulullah said,
“The best shadaqah is a Moslem who learn knowledge then it is thought to others.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah)
Its means that knowledge is better than shadaqah by treasures. Because teaching knowledge, especially religious lesson, will also give advantages for others that it can be useful forever.
“And ut us not for the believers to go forth [to battle] all at once. For there should separate from every division of them a group [remaining] to obtain understanding in the religion and warn their people when they return to them that they might be cautious.” (Q.S AT-Tawbah : 122)
Thus the article about 13 obligation of seeking knowledge in Islam. Hopefully, it can be usefull for us. Amen.
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