Introduction to Howzah Studies Lesson 3 Merits of Knowledge as described in the Narrations of the Infallibles (a.s.) By Sheikh Safdar Razi

Obligation The Prophet (S) said: “Acquiring knowledge is an obligation for every male and female Muslim. Certainly Allah loves those who have a desire for knowledge.” “If the seeker of knowledge dies while seeking knowledge, then he will be considered a martyr.”

Seekers of knowledge are better than martyrs: Imam As-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “Allah prefers the ink of the scholar over the blood of the martyr.” The Prophet (S) said: “Whosoever goes forth to seek knowledge, is like a person who goes to defend Islam in Jihaad, until he returns.”

Path to Paradise The Prophet (S) said: “Whoever takes a path seeking knowledge, Allah (swt) will take that person to the path of Paradise, for the angels will stretch out their wings for the seekers of knowledge.” “Allah eases the path (of those seeking knowledge) to Paradise.”

The scholar is better than the worshipper. (Literal worship, not metaphorical.) Other sayings of the Prophet (a.s.) are: “The similarity of the virtue of a scholar over the virtue of a worshipper, is like the full moon over the stars.” “Verily the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets (a.s.), who do not leave [pounds and pennies], but leave knowledge instead.”

Knowledge is Better than Charity The Prophet (S) says: " Whosoever acquires knowledge is similar to a person who fasts during the daytime and a person who worships in the nighttime. And learning a chapter of knowledge by a person is better than offering charity in the amount of ABU QUBAIS (a huge mountain in Mecca) of all gold for the sake of Allah.” Some narrations mention that teaching is the best charity.

Double Reward for Those Seeking Knowledge. The Prophet (S) says: “Whosoever seeks knowledge and obtains it, will be rewarded by Allah in double, and whosoever seeks knowledge and was not able to obtain it, will be rewarded by Allah in single.”

The Seeker of Knowledge will be with the Prophets (a.s.) in Paradise The Prophet (S) says: “If a person dies while seeking knowledge for the sake of Islam's survival, then in Paradise there will only be a difference of one level between him and the Prophets (a.s.).”

Knowledge is Counted as 40 Years of Worship The Prophet (S) says: ”Whoever goes forth to seek a chapter of knowledge, in order to convert wrong to right and lead the strayed ones to guidance, then his deed will be counted as a worship of 40 years.”

Knowledge is Better than Everything. The Prophet (S) says: “O Ali, if Allah guides one person through you, then that will be much better for you than the whole world and whatever it contains.” “Little knowledge is better than abundant worship.”

Continuous Reward After Death If a descendent of Adam (a.s.) dies, his deeds will stop, except for three things: Flowing Charity Beneficial knowledge A pious son who prays for him

The Best Gift is Knowledge The Prophet (S) says: “There is no better gift a Muslim can present to his brother than a word of wisdom which through it, Allah increases the guidance, and prevents him from doing evil.”

Reward of Others “Whoever invites others towards guidance will receive the reward of all who followed him. And, those who followed him will not have a decrease in their rewards. Whoever invites people to go astray will share the sins of all who followed him. And, those who followed him will not have a decrease in their sins.”

Knowledge Versus Wealth Imam Ali (a.s.) says: “Knowledge is better than wealth because: Knowledge protects you, but you have to protect the wealth. Wealth decreases by spending, and knowledge increases by spreading.”

Other Similar Hadeeths: Knowledge is the inheritance of the Prophet (a.s.), and wealth is the inheritance of the Pharoahs. Knowledge enters the shroud (kaffan), and wealth is left in this world (dunya). Wealth can be achieved by the believer and the nonbeliever, but knowledge is achieved only by the believer.

Everyone needs a scholar for their religious affairs, but do not need the wealthy (for it). Knowledge strengthens a person to walk on the bridge of siraat, and wealth prevents him from doing so (due to the accountability for his wealth). Continued…

Burning Candle The scholar is like a burning candle, which is consumed completely to give light to others. We ask Allah to give us knowledge with patience and control of our ego. AMEEN.