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.
