Seekers of Knowledge

A man came to Abu Darda’ while he was in Damascus. Abu Darda’ asked him “What has brought you here, my brother?” He replied, “A hadith which you relate from the Prophet (saw). Abu Darda’ asked, “Have you come for some worldly need?” He replied, “No.” “Have you come for business?” He said, “No.” “You have come only to seek this hadith?” He said, “Yes.”

Abu Darda’ then said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (saw) say:

‘Whoever travels a path seeking sacred knowledge, Allah will place him on a path leading to Paradise. The angels lower their wings for the student of sacred knowledge, pleased with what he is doing. The creatures in the heavens and earth seek forgiveness for the student of sacred knowledge, even the fish in the water. The superiority of the religious scholar over the devout worshipper is like the superiority of the full moon over the other heavenly bodies. The religious scholars are the heirs of the prophets. The prophets leave no money as a bequest, rather they leave knowledge. Whoever seizes it has taken a bountiful share.“

(Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood, at-Tirmidhi, ibn Majah

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Imam Hasan al-Basri greeted his students:

Welcome, may Allah extend your life in peace, and may He enter us all into paradise. Your seeking knowledge is a good act, if you persevere, are truthful and are absolutely certain of the reward Allah has prepared for you. May Allah have mercy on you! Do not let your share of this good be such that it enters one ear and passes out the other. One who hasn’t seen Muhammad (salAllahu ‘aleyhi wa sallam) should know that the Prophet (salAllahu ‘aleyhi wa sallam) has seen him moving to and fro. The Prophet (salAllahu ‘aleyhi wa sallam) did not erect tall buildings, rather, knowledge was given to him and he dedicated himself to it. Do not procrastinate, salvation is at stake. What will make you heed? Are you hesitant? I swear by the Lord of the Ka’ba, it is as if Judgement Day is imminent.

(Imam Ahmad, Kitab az-Zuhd, 2:242)

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When those believing in our signs come to you, say, “Peace be unto you. Your Lord has made mercy incumbent upon Himself!“

(Quran, 6:54)

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Excerpts taken from ‘The Heirs of the Prophets’ by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali

May Allah grant us the ability, opportunity and will to become of the heirs of the prophets.

The Divine Gift of Faith

“Whoever supposes that faith is realised through speculative theology, abstract proofs, or academic divisions is an innovator. On the contrary, faith is a light that God, the Sublime and Exalted, casts into the hearts of His servants with bounty and grace from His presence. Sometimes faith is evidenced internally and it is impossible to express; sometimes through a vision while asleep; other times by witnessing the state of a pious man and receiving the emanation of his light as a result of his companionship and presence; and then there are times when faith comes by the concurrence of circumstance.

Indeed, a bedouin came to the prophet (s) denying and disavowing him. But when his eyes fell upon his radiant aspect – may God increase its dignity and nobility – he saw in it the light of prophethood and exclaimed, ‘By God! This is not the face of a liar!’ He then implored the Prophet (s) to explain Islam to him and immediately embraced it.”

(IMAM ABU HAMID AL-GHAZZALI)

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And so, we say Alhamdulillah.

Unceasingly.

Life as a Muslim Medic

Life as a Muslim Medic

 

A Transcript of a Lecture Delivered by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam Al-Kawthari:

 
http://daruliftaa.com/Life%20as%20a%20Muslim%20Medic.html