Reflections on some statements of Al-Allamah Rabee Bin Hadi Al-Madkhali 86
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
O brothers! I warn you against harbouring intentions of seeking after the Dunyah, its status and authority in the affair of learning and seeking knowledge, because indeed (knowledge of the religion) is worship – amongst the best types of worship; rather the religion, acts of worship, Jihad (1) and a (successful) life cannot be established except by way of this knowledge. However, it is obligated on us to purify our intentions in this worship. “Whoever seeks knowledge by which the pleasure of Allah is sought, but he only acquires it for worldly gain, he will not smell the fragrance of Paradise”.
This is a very important point and a great affair which the students of knowledge must be notified, for indeed many of them are heedless of it. And it may be that a person seeks knowledge for the sake of worldly gain or other goals that are not beloved to Allaah -neither legislated nor permitted by Allaah, and thus they fall into destruction. This affair enters into the rebuke directed at the Yahud.
مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُواْ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَحۡمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡحِمَارِ يَحۡمِلُ أَسۡفَارَۢاۚ بِئۡسَ مَثَلُ ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَہۡدِى ٱلۡقَوۡمَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurat (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its legal laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). How bad is the example (or the likeness) of people who deny the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah. And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers, etc.).
I seek the protection (of Allaah) for myself and you from these blameworthy traits – a person possesses knowledge and does not act upon it, so he is either included (amongst those mentioned in this) Aayah or some of it applies to him. May Allaah protect us and you, for indeed the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him, informed us about the destination of those who perform acts of worship only to be seen, whether it is a student of knowledge, a scholar, a Mujahid or one who spends his wealth.
O my brothers! Sincerity is a great affair. It is incumbent upon a Muslim to guard it and take himself to account at every moment of his life. One of the Salaf said, “I used to hold that the hadith requires a Niyyah [i.e. sincere intention for seeking knowledge of hadith], but then I realised that every hadeeth requires a (sincere) intention”. Therefore, when you narrate or speak, do you desire praise from the people or do you desire the Face of Allah, The Blessed and Exalted? Do you desire that it is said, “He is a scholar; he is intelligent; he is a learned person of sound, precise and robust understanding” or do you desire the Face of Allaah and to fulfil the responsibility you carry (i.e. knowledge of the religion).
An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Talib Al-Ilm’ pages 53-55. slightly paraphrased
(1) Salafi Shaikh Fawzaan on Jihad in our times and the guidelines of Jihad according to Islam
Salafi Shaikh Fawzaan on Jihad in our times and the guidelines of Jihad according to Islam