There is this famous saying ‘’Knowledge is light’’. Islam is a religion of light that cannot be practiced properly without knowledge.
Our creator Allah (SWT) places a huge emphasis on Islamic knowledge because of its many benefits. One important benefit of seeking Islamic knowledge is that it is compulsory and an act of Ibadah. Another benefit of seeking Islamic knowledge is that it will guide Muslims on how to worship Allah.
Some other benefits include humility, honor, respect, and high status. Furthermore, seeking Islamic knowledge allows us to appreciate and understand Allah’s creation. It also enables us to know Allah and recognize him through his signs and creatures.
Seeking Islamic knowledge also improves personal development and critical thinking. Online Islamic classes are the best option to get Islamic knowledge from professional Quran and hadith professional tutors.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) said:
‘’Indeed the word is cursed, except for the remembrance of Allah, what is conducive to that, the knowledgeable person and the learning person’’.
9 Benefits of Seeking Islamic Knowledge
1. It Moves a Person Closer to Allah
Our major aim in this world is to worship Allah. Therefore, any act that will move us closer to Allah should be encouraged. Allah says in Surah Al-Dhariyat verse 56, ‘’I did not create Jinn and humans except to worship me’’.
It is the knowledge that will make us know the acts of worship that will move us closer to Allah. Some Ibadat that can move us closer to Allah, are recitation of the Quran beautifully, remembrance of Allah through Dhikr and Solat, Sodaqo, and abstaining from sins.
2. It Eases the Way We Worship
The worship of a knowledgeable person and the person who doesn’t have knowledge cannot be compared in terms of ease and rewards. The one who doesn’t have knowledge is likely to fall into Bidia (innovation). Some Bidia look like actual worship at face value, but when you investigate them very well, you will find out that there is no verse in the Holy Quran or a Hadith from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) supporting them. In Islam, no matter how beautiful an act of worship is, once there is no evidence to establish it in the Quran or hadith, it is Bidia.
Bidia is a great sin in Islam. There are some Bidia that can take someone out of the fold of Islam. The Messenger of Allah said: ‘’Whoever makes a new case in our religion that has no origin, the case is rejected. In another hadith, he said, ‘’Whoever does a practice that is not our teaching, then the practice is rejected.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) went further. He said,
‘’Be careful with new matters in religion. Because every new case in religion is heresy and every heresy is misguidance.“
If you take a closer look at the three hadith from the Messenger of Allah, you will discover a stern warning against innovation. Therefore, a conscious Muslim who wants to meet Allah on the day of resurrection without innovation in his or her worship must seek knowledge that will guide him or her against innovation.
3. It has Great Rewards
The rewards for seeking knowledge are great. Allah (SWT) and his Messenger made this known to us.
In Quran 58 verse 11, Allah said
‘’Allah will raise those who believe among you and those who were given knowledge, by many degrees. And Allah is all aware of all you do’’.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) said, ‘’Whoever takes a path in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to walk in one of the paths of paradise. Indeed the angels will lower their wings in great pleasure with the one who seeks knowledge.
Anyone who wants us to enjoy this great benefit from Allah should endeavor to seek knowledge.
4. It is an Obligation by Allah
It was narrated by Anas Ibn Malik that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon his and his family said): ‘’Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim, and he who imparts knowledge to those who do not deserve it, is like one who puts a necklace of jewels, pearls, and gold around the neck of swine.
When the word ‘’Fard’’ is used for something in Islam, it means the act is mandatory. According to scholars, there are two types of ‘’Fard’’ known as ‘’Fard al’ Ain and Fard al Kifaayah’’.
So teach Islam to child at a young age so that they can follow and practice Islam. Getting Islamic classes for kids is the best option for them.
5. It Brings Honor and Respect
Nothing in this world brings respect and honor more than knowledge. In mosques, the knowledgeable ones are given special treatment. They are either allowed to lead the salat or stay in the first row.
In gatherings like Nikkah and Aqeeqo, the knowledgeable ones are allowed to sit at high tables where everybody can see them. Even in the community, everybody respects and wants to associate with them because of their knowledge.
6. The knowledgeable ones are Role Models
When a conscious Muslim wants to select a role model, there is no other option than scholars.
Let us use three wonderful Sheikhs as examples. Sheikh Sudais, Sheikh Shuraim, and Sheikh Abdul Baseet have inspired a lot of people from all over the world with their melodious recitation of the Quran. We are not aware whether these three scholars have been to Africa before, but they are well revered in Africa.
In many Arabic schools, students are made to listen to these three scholars for the voice beautification of the Holy Quran. May Allah bless these three scholars.
7. Inheritors of the Prophets of Allah
No one is allowed to inherit the Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them) after their death. The only thing we are allowed to inherit from them is their knowledge.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family said): ‘’The scholars are the inheritors of the prophets’’. Anyone who wants to be counted among the inheritors of Prophet Muhammad should seek knowledge.
8. It Increases one’s status in the Community
The status of the one who has knowledge and the one who doesn’t have is not the same in the community. While the one who has knowledge is given preferential treatment in some circumstances, the one who does not have knowledge cannot enjoy such preferential treatment. Knowledge such as Islamic history, Quran, hadith, Tafseer, etc. Learning tafseer is very important to get proper knowledge of Islam through Quran. You can learn tafseer by getting an online tafseer course from qualified tutors.
9. It Places a leadership Position on People
Readers are leaders. Once a person acquires knowledge to a very reasonable extent, he automatically becomes a leader. He is the first person that people go to when they have questions concerning their deen.
Conclusion
Hisham bin Hassan narrated from Al-Hassan concerning the saying of Allah: O our Lord, give us good in this world, and good in the Hereafter. He said:
‘’Knowledge and worship in this world and Paradise in the Hereafter.’’
The lesson from this hadith is that nothing in this world is more beneficial than seeking Islamic knowledge. Better to get adults Islamic classes for better and more accurate learning and understanding of Islam.
