Studying

The virtue of knowledge

There are several hadiths of the Prophet that emphasize the virtue of knowledge. Among them, "The Messenger of Allah said, 'The virtue of a knowledgeable person over a worshiper is like mine over the lowest among you', then he read this verse, 'Inna yakhsyallaha min 'ibadihil 'ulama' (indeed those who fear Allah Allah from His servants is the scholars, Surah Fathir: 8), indeed Allah, the angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, and the fish in the sea (always) pray to those who teach goodness to humans ". (Hadith from Darimi)

Rasulullah also said, "One faqih is tougher for the devil than a thousand worshipers. (Hadith narrated by Ibn Majah)

Law of studying

Seeking knowledge is an obligation for both men and women. As the hadith narrated from Anas, he said that the Messenger of Allah said, "Seeking knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim." (Hadith narrated by Baihaqi)

Seeking knowledge of religion is obligatory 'ain for every Muslim. Namely, religious knowledge in order to know Allah swt, and practice the lawful and unlawful laws in Islamic law, as the Messenger of Allah said, "There are three kinds of knowledge, and anything other than that is an addition. That is, the muhkamah verse (the explanation is clear and not abolished), the sunnah is authentic, or the faraid (division of inheritance) is fair.” (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud).

As for the knowledge of aspects of life to be more useful and provide services to others and achieve world happiness, the law is fardhu kifayah or communal obligations. This is where partnerships will be established and the principles of mutual benefit between people will be established.

The virtue of studying

  1. The degree of the knowledgeable person will be elevated. “… Surely Allah will exalt those who believe among you and those who are given knowledge by several degrees.” (Surat al-Mujdah: 11)
  2. Knowledge is the inheritance of the prophets. “Indeed, the angels will lay their wings on those who seek knowledge out of contentment with what they are doing. And indeed a scholar who teaches goodness will be asked for forgiveness by the creatures in the heavens and on the earth to the fish that are in the water. Verily, the virtue of the pious over the worshipers is like the virtue of the moon over all the stars. And verily the prophets did not inherit dinars and dirhams. What they inherit is knowledge. And whoever takes that knowledge, indeed he will get the most part." (Hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
  3. The assembly of knowledge is a garden of paradise. “When you walk through the gardens of Paradise, then sit with them. The companions asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, what are the gardens of paradise?' The Prophet replied, namely the assembly of knowledge." (Hadith narrated by At Tirmidhi)
  4. Seek knowledge of the path to heaven. "Whoever takes a path to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to heaven." (Hadith narrated by Muslim)
  5. Knowledge is the key to happiness in this world and the hereafter. "Whoever wants to get the happiness of life in this world must be with knowledge, whoever wants to get the happiness of life in the hereafter must be with knowledge, whoever wants to get happiness in the world and the hereafter must be with knowledge." (Hadith narrated by Bukhari)
  6. Science is needed by humans. "People's need for knowledge exceeds their need for food and drink, because food and drink are only needed once or twice a day, while knowledge is needed all the time." (Imam Ahmad bin Hambal)
  7. Knowledge is the priest of charity. "Who created death and life, to test you which of you is better in deed." (Surat al-Mulk: 2)
  8. Knowledge is more important than wealth. First, wealth will run out if it is spent, while knowledge will increase if it is taught. Second, knowledge will protect the owner, while the owner of the property will guard his property.
  9. The rewards of the knowledge taught will continue to flow even though the owner has died. "If a person dies, the reward for his deeds is cut off, except for three things: charity, useful knowledge, and a pious child who prays for him." (Hadith narrated by Bukhari)

Characteristic-useful features of knowledge

There are several characteristics that can indicate the knowledge we learn and have useful for us. That is:

  1. Increase our fear of Allah SWT.
  2. More and more aware of the disgrace that we have done.
  3. Increasing our ma'rifat to Allah with more worship.
  4. The more zuhud, the less a person likes things that are inclined to the world.
  5. Increase our longing and love for the deeds of the hereafter.
  6. Correcting despicable actions and trying to avoid them.
  7. Always kept away from the tricks of the devil.

Adab and barriers in studying

The following are the etiquette that must be met in studying:

  1. It should be intended for the sake of Allah, not just chasing the world. The Prophet said, "Whoever learns knowledge for other than Allah or wants other than Allah, then let him take his seat (in the future) in hell". (Hadith narrated by Tirmidhi: 2579). Abu Hurairah said, "The Messenger of Allah said, "Whoever learns a knowledge that should be for the sake of Allah 'Azza wa Jalla, but he does not learn it except to get a part of the world, then he will not get the smell of heaven on the Day of Resurrection." (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud: 3179)
  2. Should not hide knowledge. Abu Hurairah he said, "The Messenger of Allah said, "Whoever is asked about a knowledge and he hides it, he will be lashed with a whip from the fire of hell on the Day of Resurrection." (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud: 3173)
  3. Not to argue. The Messenger of Allah said, "Whoever seeks knowledge to argue with the scholars, or to make fun of stupid people, or to turn people's eyes on him, Allah will surely admit him to hell." (Hadith narrated by Tirmidhi: 2578)
  4. Take time and don't get carried away with the busy world. (Qur'an 15:3-5).
  5. Try to practice it in order to avoid the wrath of Allah swt. (Qur'an 61:2-3).

But seeking knowledge has some obstacles. That is, the barrier between knowledge and those who seek it.

  1. Broken intentions. "Whoever seeks knowledge for which he intends to seek Allah's pleasure, Allah will provide him with sufficient."
  2. Reasonable with a lot of busyness. “Various activities are the main causes that prevent someone from attending the science assembly. However, the one whom Allah opens the eyes of his heart, he will manage his time and use it as well as possible so that he gets many benefits.”
  3. Not practicing knowledge. "O you who believe, why do you say something that you do not do? It is highly detestable in the sight of Allah if you say what you do not do." (Surat As-Shaff: 2-3)
  4. Haste to reap the fruits of knowledge. “Knowledge cannot be obtained with a pampered body.”
  5. In the habit of procrastinating- “Procrastination is part of the demon army.”

Recipes for useful knowledge

Imam Ghazali gave 3 recipes for useful knowledge, namely as follows:

  1. Trying to leave the disobedience.
  2. Respect knowledge and the transmitter of knowledge.
  3. Make an effort to control the passions in him.

Delivered by Ustadzah Nur Hamidah Lc., M.Ag., during the Halaqoh online study Tuesday for Female Expatriates, 7 September 2021. [DDHKNews]

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