The Manners of Knowledge Seeker in Islam

Knowledge is a very important part of human life. Studying becomes an obligation for every people. Especially the knowledge of religion that will determine the life and belief during in this world.

Even though it is tiring, there is a virtue of study in Islam that we need to understand. The knowledge of religion that is learnt properly and correctly can ease someone to go to His heaven. As it is stated in the following hadith.

From Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu ‘anhu, he said that the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ

“Whoever takes the path to seek knowledge, then Allah will ease for him the way to go to heaven.” (Hadith Muslim, no. 2699)

In order to the aim of the knowledge that is learnt reaches the knowledge seeker, then the knowledge seeker must understand the manners of a good knowledge seeker. What are those? Check out below.

Straighten the Sincere Intention to Seek Allah’s Pleasure

A good knowledge is a knowledge that gives goodness to the owner. Meanwhile, a bad knowledge is a knowledge that gives mudarat for the owner.

Before studying, instill the intention in the heart first. Intend to seek knowledge sincerely only to reach the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.

If the intention of studying is aimed to seek title, position and worldly position only, then that knowledge will lead to bad traits, such as arrogance, greedy and stingy. And the impact will lead the person to the despicable deeds, for example corruption and bullying weak people. It is indeed a kind of a vain deed in Islam. Naudzubillah!

Anas bin Malik said,

مَنْ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمَ يُبَاهِي بِهِ الْعُلَمَاءَ ، أَوْ يُمَارِي بِهِ السُّفَهَاءَ ، أَوْ يَصْرِفُ أَعْيُنَ النَّاسِ إِلَيْهِ ، تَبَوَّأَ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ

“Whoever studies only wants to be titled as a theologian, to debate with stupid people, so that he is regarded by human, then please take his seat in hell.” (Hadith Hakim in its Mustadrak)

لاَ تَعَلَّمَوْ ا الْعِلْمَ لِتُبَاهُوْا بِهِ الْعُلَمَاءَ ، وَلاَ لِتُمَارُوْا بِهِ السُّفَهَاءَ وَلاَ تَجْتَرِثُوْابِهِ فِى الْمَجَالِسِ اَوْ لِتَصْرِفُوْا وُجُوْهَ النَّاسِ إِلَيْكُمْ ، فَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَالِكَ فَالنَّارَ فَالنَّارَ .

(الترمذى وابن ماجة)

“Do not study to make proud of him to the theologians and to be debated among the stupid people and bad behavior. Also do not study for appearance in the assembly (meeting) and to attract people’s attention to you. Whoever is like that then hell for him… hell.” (Hadith Al-Tirmidzi and Ibn Majah)

Therefore, intend to seek Allah’s pleasure to be more obedient to Him. If the intention is to become someone who is more expert so that he can share with others, then it is allowed as long as there is no mudarat in it.

Aim to Remove the Stupidity of Yourself and Others

Basically, a person is born stupid, does not know anything. With His pleasure, Allah eases someone in studying to know everything about Him and the life of this world. How terrifying the danger of stupidity in Islam is, so aim to study to remove the stupidity of yourself and others.

تَعَلَّمُوْاالْعِلْمَ ، فّإِنَّ تَعَلُّمُهُ قُرْبَةٌ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ، وَتَعْلِيْمَهُ لِمَن ْ لاَ يَعْلَمُهُ صَدَقَةٌ ، وَإِنَّ الْعِلْمَ لَيَنْزِلُ بِصَاحِبِهِ فِى مَوْضِعِ الشَّرَفِ وَالرِّفْعَةِ ، وَالْعِلْمُ زَيْنٌ لِأَهْلِهِ فِى الدُّنْيَا وَالأَخِرَةِ . (الربيع)

“Seek knowledge, indeed studying is a self-approach to Allah Azza wajalla, and teach it to people who do not know it is alms. Indeed, knowledge places people in an honorable and noble (high) position. Knowledge is a beauty for the experts in the world and the afterlife.” (Hadith Ar-Rabii’)

Be Patient in Studying

Studying is not really an easy thing. It needs patience in it because everything needs process and every process needs time. For those who are consistent and patient in studying, then Insha Allah, they will get the best result.

In hadith Muslim, Abu Katsir said,

لاَ يُسْتَطَاعُ الْعِلْمُ بِرَاحَةِ الْجِسْمِ

“Knowledge is not obtained by a relaxed body.” (Hadith Muslim no. 612)

Allah Azza wa Jalla said:

وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلَاةِ ۚ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى الْخَاشِعِينَ

“Make patience and prayer as your helper. And indeed it is really heavy, except for people who are solemn.” (Al-Baqarah [2]: 45)

“Be spirited about what is useful for you, ask for Allah’s help and do not be lazy.” (Hadith Bukhari and Muslim)

How important it is to be patient in studying, then learn the prayer for patience in Islam.

Those were the manners of knowledge seeker in Islam. Keep the spirit in seeking the knowledge of goodness and keep istiqomah in Islam. Insha Allah, we will get many blessings from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.