[1] Among The Noble Manners of Shaikh Al-Islam

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Allah, The Most High, said:

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْءَاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. [Al-Ahzab 21]

Imam Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to say:

Indeed, the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is the greatest criterion [amongst mankind and Jinn] and all affairs are presented to him [for judgement and judged] based on his manners, path and guidance; so whatever is in agreement with this is truth, and whatever is in opposition is falsehood. [1]

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

He (Messenger) is the preponderant standard (among the creation) based on his moral character, statements, and deeds through which the moral characters, statements, and actions (of others) are weighed; and the clear criterion by which, through following him, the people of guidance are distinguished from the people of misguidance.” [2]

In Madarij As-Salikin under the heading:

فصل : مراتب الجود

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, discussed generosity and its various levels, emphasising that to be generous with one’s knowledge is among the highest forms of generosity.

Being generous with knowledge is considered more virtuous than being generous with wealth, as knowledge is deemed more noble than wealth. Generosity with knowledge entails providing a detailed and comprehensive answer when someone inquires about religious matters, rather than just giving a sufficient response to meet their immediate needs.

He then proceeded to discuss his observations on Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah concerning this matter, noting that when asked about a matter necessitating a ruling, he would, when possible, refer to the teachings of the four Imams, explain the reasons for their varying opinions, and highlight what carried more weight.

Additionally, he would bring up other matters about the topic that could potentially provide even greater advantages for the individual posing the question than the specific issue they inquired about.

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim then mentioned an example in the Sunnah concerning this issue that the companions once inquired from the prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, about performing ablution with seawater. In response, he stated:

“Its water is purifying and its dead (animals) are lawful (to eat)”. [a]

Thus, the Prophet not only addressed their initial query but also generously provided them with something that they would be more in need of at certain times. [3]

[1] Al-Jaami Li-Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi Wa Aadaab As-Saami’ page 8

[2] I’lam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/4

[3] Madarij As-Salikin 2/43-44]

[a] Bulugh Al-Maram. Hadith 1. Book of Purification]