ISLAM

Islam comes from the root word "salam" which means Peace. It also means "submitting ones will to Allah". It also means "obedience to Allah". Therefore, Islam means "peaceful submition of ones will to Allah".

Islam is not a new religion, niether was it found 1400 years back by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Rather, Islam has been into existence since time immemorial, i.e, since man first set foot on this earth. The first follower of Islam was Adam (pbuh). After that every prophet who came by were adherents of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final messenger of Islam. Since Islam is the only way of life acceptable in the sight of Allah, it is imperative that we gain knowledge about it. It is only through correct knowledge that we can re-establish Peace in this world. Islam is the only Solution to the problems of mankind.

Verily all praise is due to Allaah. We seek his assistance, forgiveness and we seek refuge with Allaah from the evils of our selves and our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides then none can lead him astray, and whomsoever Allaah leads astray, there is no guide for him. We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah, and We bear witness that Muhammad (Pbuh) is his slave and messenger.

 

To proceed; Truly the blessings of Allaah upon his slaves are countless, but few of the slaves are grateful, as Allaah Ta'aala said: {But few of my slaves are grateful}.

And surely, from amongst the greatest of blessings upon the believers, is that Allaah, has prepared for them those who will carry this upright religion, indeed they are the ‘ulemaah, ar-rabaneeyoon' and the students of knowledge. And He has prepared many different ways and means of benefiting from them and their knowledge.

So since this is the case, it is essential that know something about the virtues and importance of gaining knowledge in order to raise people’s enthusiasm for gaining it. So I say, while seeking the assistance of Allaah:

Indeed the one who contemplates upon the texts of the Quraan and the Sunnah will find many proofs for the virtues of knowledge, its noble status, its people and its great benefits.

 

From them are:

1. The saying of Allaah:

{Allaah bears witness that none has the right to be worshiped except Him, and the Angels, and those who posses knowledge (also bear this witness). He maintains His creation in justice. None have the right to be worshiped except Him, the All Mighty, the All Wise}. [Al Imraan: 18]

Al Qurtubee said:

"This verse is a proof of the virtue of knowledge and the nobility of the ‘ulemah. For indeed if there was anyone more noble than the ‘ulemah, then Allaah would have mentioned their names together with His name and the angels just as He did with the ‘ulemah in this verse". [AlJami' liAhkaam AlQuraan: 4/14]

2. The saying of Allaah:

{So is the one who knows that what has been revealed to you (O Muhammad) from your Lord is the truth like the one who s blind? But it is only the men of understanding that pay heed.} [Ar-Ra’d: 19]

The Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said:

“So there is only a scholar or a blind person, and indeed Allaah has described the people of ignorance as being blind, deaf and dumb in more than one place in His book.” [Miftaah daar As Sa’aadah: 1/49]

3. The saying of Allaah:

{Then high above all is Allaah, the true king. And don’t be in haste (O Muhammad) with the Quraan before its revelation is completed to you and say: “My Lord, Increase me in knowledge.}

 

The Imaam Ibn Katheer said:

“Meaning: Increase me in knowledge from you. And Ibn ‘Uyaynah, may Allaah have mercy upon him said: And the messenger of Allaah continued to increase in knowledge until he passed away.” [Tafseer Ibnu Katheer: 3/167].

And the verses that prove this are many.

 

And from the Sunnah:

1. Mu’aawiyah narrated that the messenger of Allaah,(Pbuh) said:

“And whomsoever Allaah wants good for, then He grants him understanding in the religion.” [Narrated by Bukharee and Muslim.]

Ibnul Qayyim said:

“This shows that whosoever has not been granted understanding in the religion, then good wasn’t desired for him. Just as whomsoever Allaah wants good for, then He will grant him understanding in the religion.” [Miftaah Dar As-Sa’aadah: 1:60].

An-Nawawee said in his explanation of Saheeh Muslim: 7/128:

“In this hadeeth is a proof of the virtues of knowledge, seeking understanding in the religion, as well as encouraging that. This is because it leads to the taqwaa of Allaah.”

2. Sahl Ibn Sa’d narrated that the messenger of Allaah (Pbuh) said to ‘Ali:

“Allaah guiding one man through you is better for you than owning red camels.”

The Imaam Ibnul Qayyim said:

“This is a proof of the virtues of knowledge, the gaining of it and the nobility and status of its people. Where as if just one man were to be guided with knowledge through him, then this is better for him than owning red camels and they are the best and most precious of camels. So what do you think of someone who guides groups of people every day.” [Miftaah Dar As-Sa’aadah: 1/62]

And here are many proofs for this in the Sunnah of the messenger (Pbuh).

And From what has been narrated from the Salaaf as-Saalih:

1. Ibn Abee Shaybah narrated in Al Musanaf: 13/496, with his isnaad up until Abu Qelaabah, ‘Abdullah Ibn Zayd that he said:

“The ‘ulemah are like the stars that people are guided by, and the signposts that people follow. If they disappear the people will become confused, and if they leave them they will be lead astray.”

2. The Imaam Al Bukharee said in the beginning of the book of fraaid in his saheeh:

“‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir said: Learn before the dhaaneen.”

Al Bukharee then explains this statement by saying:

“Meaning those that speak with assumptions/doubts.”

I (Shaykh ‘Abdullah) say: This means that their speech is not based upon the correct knowledge of the sharee’ah nor does it stem from it.

3. Sahl ibn ‘Abdullah At-Tustaree said:

“Whoever wants to see the gatherings of the prophets then let him look at the gatherings of the ‘ulemah.”

The Imaam Ibnul Qayyim explains this statement by saying:

“This is because the ‘ulemah are the successors of the messengers in their people, and the inheritors of their knowledge, so their gatherings are the gatherings of the khilaafah of prophethood.” [Miftaah Dar As-Sa’aadah: 1/119]

4. Saleeh Ibn Mihraan As-Shaybaanee said:

“A tradesman cannot work without tools, and the tool of Islam is knowledge.” [Tabaqaat Al Muhaditheen BiAsbahaan: 2216].

5. The Imaam As Sha’bee said:

“The hour will not be established until knowledge turns into ignorance, and ignorance turns into knowledge.” [Jaam’i Al ‘Uloom wal Hikam: 1/140]

 

InshaAllaah in what has preceded is enough to make us rush to gain knowledge for the sake of Allaah ta’aala, and to follow the ways of the ‘ulemaa in gaining it, in order that we may succeed in achieving the promises that have preceded and that we be saved from the painful torment.

We pray that Allaah tabaaraka wa ta’aala makes this site blessed, and that it be a cause and a means for the spreading of correct knowledge and a door from the doors that remove ignorance (darkness and sorrow) that is with many of the people.

We invite you to gain knowledge out of this site and make the best use of the information given on it.

And in conclusion We ask Allaah to grant success for everyone in the life of this world and the hereafter, and WeI pray that Allaah ta’aala makes it easy for me and my brothers, the rest of the mashayikh to cooperate with their beneficial articles. Indeed Allaah is able to accomplish this and may the prayers and blessings of Allaah be upon Muhammad and his family and companions.

- M.I. Ali

(President - PPC)