Knowledge is that which Benefits – Imam Ash-Shaafi’ee
Imam Ash-Shaafi’ee (rahimahullah) said:
“Knowledge is not that which has been memorised, it is that which benefits.”
Tadhkiratus Saami’ wal Mutakallim page 37
Knowledge and Its Stages – Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimhullah)
Ibnul Mubaarak (rahimhullah) said: “The first (stage) of knowledge is the intention, then listening, then understanding, then memorisation, then action, then dissemination.”
Jaami’ Bayaan Al-ilm wa Fadlih
Vol 1 pg 118
Learning Manners – Imam Az-Zuhree
Imam Az-Zuhree (rahimahullah)
We used to come to a scholar, what we learnt from him of manners was more beloved to us than his knowledge.
Hilyatul Awliyaa Vol. 3 Pg. 362
What is Certainty? – Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu)
Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu-anhu) said:
Certainty is that you neither please the people to displease Allaah nor envy anyone for the provision Allaah has given him, nor blame anyone for what Allaah has not given you; because Allaah’s provision will neither come to you through the eagerness of the one [who wants it to come to you] nor will it be repelled by the dislike of the one who dislikes that [it should be given to you].
[Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam: page: 308]
Manners of Giving Salaams When There is a Lesson or Gathering – Shaykh Salih al-Fawzaan
When a person enters upon a gathering which has scholars, students of knowledge, laypeople and they are speaking; does he give salaams and sit or does he go round everyone giving them individual salaams?
There is no doubt that gatherings have (prescribed ) manners, so if the people enter and this gathering is a gathering of knowledge and a lesson then indeed, he sits down and listens and delays the salaams until there is a gap, likewise if the sitting was a sitting of conversing and one person is speaking and the rest are listening then also he sits and does
Fatwa Without Knowledge – By Al-Qaasim Ibn Muhammad
Abu Khaythama narrated to us, (saying): Fadl Ibn Dukayn related to us, (saying): Sufyaan informed us from yahyah Ibn Saeed who said: ‘’I heard Al-Qaasim Ibn Muhammad say: ‘’A person lives his (whole) life being ignorant is better for him than giving fataawaa without knowledge.’’ Source: Kitaabul Ilm of Abu Khaythama with the checking of Shaikh Al Albaani: Narration number:90. Page:23
Six Affairs That Will Deprive Us of Knowledge
- To abandon asking
- Not silently listening and not giving an attentive ear
- Misunderstanding or wrong understanding
- Lack of memorisation
- Not disseminating and teaching it; for whoever accumulates [and keeps knowledge as a secret] and does not disseminate it, Allaah will afflict him by making him forget it- as a just recompense.
- Not acting upon it, for indeed acting upon [knowledge] compels one to remember and ponder upon it, guard and examine it. But if he does not act upon it, he will forget it.
[Source: (غذاء الألباب) – page 33’ By Muhammad Bin Ahmad Bin Saalim As-Safaareeniy Al-Hanbali (rahimahullaah). Abridged & slightly paraphrased]
The Learned Men
The learned men, or people are those who act after knowing.
Siyar 4/303
Benefits of Seeking and Adhering to the Truth – Ash Shaykh Rabee Al Madkhalee
Ash Shaykh Rabee bin Haadi Al Madkhalee (hafidahullah) said:
“From the signs of As-Sa’aadah [i.e. happiness, success and wellbeing in this life and the next, InshaaAllaah] is that:
•You are eager for the truth;
•You seek it and
•You are happy when informed of your mistakes.
Source: Marhaban Yaa Taalib Al Ilm pg 262
Don’t Be Negligent! Encouragement for Attending the Lessons – Ash Shaykh Al Fawzaan
Ash Shaykh Saalih Al Fawzaan (hafidahullah) said:
“It is not permissible for a person to be negligent in attending the gatherings of knowledge because he might attain a benefit which will be a reason for his entering into paradise.”
Sharh Al Muntaqa Vol 1 Pg 39