Seeking Knowledge – The Way to Paradise
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” {Al-Tirmidhi}
Islam is the religion of knowledge. The first Ayah of the Qur’an to be revealed enjoined reading which is the key to knowledge. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists).
Islam calls us to seek knowledge. The Messenger peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him made seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim, and he explained that the superiority of the one who has knowledge over the one who merely worships is like the superiority of the moon over every other heavenly body. He said that the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets and that the Prophets did not leave behind dinars and dirhams (i.e., money), rather their inheritance was knowledge, so whoever acquires it has gained a great share. And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that seeking knowledge is a way to Paradise. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make a path to Paradise easy for him.” ({Bukhari}
Islam calls us to learn all kinds of beneficial knowledge. Branches of knowledge vary in status, the highest of which is knowledge of sharee’ah, then the other fields of knowledge.
The best of all branches of knowledge are the sciences of sharee’ah through which man comes to know his Lord, and his Prophet and religion. This is the knowledge with which Allah honoured His Messenger; He taught it to him so that he might teach it to mankind:
“Indeed, Allâh conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (the Qur’ân), and purifying them (from sins by their following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur’an) and Al‑Hikmah [the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet (i.e. his legal ways, statements and acts of worship)], while before that they had been in manifest error” {Aal ‘Imraan 3:164 }
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Allah wishes good for a person, He makes him understand the religion.” {Bukhari}
Regarding learning and teaching Qur’an, the Messenger peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said: “The best of you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” {Bukhari}
There is no goodness in knowledge which is not confirmed by action or words which are not confirmed by deeds:
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?
Most hateful it is with Allâh that you say that which you do not do”
{al-Saff :2-3}
Patience in the Path to Paradise
Seeking knowledge is something which must be done, but it need not be done so all at once, as the great scholar az-Zuhri said, “Whoever seeks knowledge in one go, it will leave him at one go. Rather, knowledge is only sought through the passing of nights and days.” One should make a firm intention, and have patience throughout their search. Some aspects may be easy, but some might be harder to achieve. Bear in mind that when one tries to learn while it is hard for him, they will receive a double reward from Allah due to the effort they spent in seeking it, and Allah’s bounty is indeed limitless. The Prophet said:
“Whoever reads the Quran and stutters while reading, due to its difficulty, will receive a double reward.” {Muslim}
There are many ways to learn the religion, the best being directly learning it from a knowledgeable and righteous Muslim.
Fruits of Knowledge
To conclude, seeking knowledge is an act of worship that requires you to keep your intention sincerely for Allah alone and none else, seeking His Pleasure and reward. Do not seek knowledge to show off or compete with others, or to enliven one’s gatherings.
Also know that knowledge is of no importance if one does not reap its fruits, which is to practice the religion of Islam as Allah loves. So one should try to practice what one learns as living Islam is what takes a person to Paradise.
Duas of Prophet Muhammad regarding seeking knowledge.
“O Allah! Bring us benefit by what You taught us, and teach us that which brings us benefit, and increase us in knowledge” (Ibn Maajah)
“O Allah, I ask you to grant us beneficial knowledge, good, pure and permissible sustenance, and deeds which are accepted by You.” (Ibn Maajah)
“O Allah I seek refuge in You from knowledge which does not benefit, a heart which does not humble itself in fear, an insatiable desire, and supplications which are unanswered.” (Muslim)
Seeking knowledge is one of the most important things in Islam and yes your haadith is right. One of the proofs to support this is the first revelation of the Quran which is, “Read in the name of your Lord who created. “Although the literal translation is read commentary states that is means to seek knowledge.
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May Allah bless him and his efforts and guide us to their goodwill and acceptance.