Words of wisdom

The best knowledge is that which benefits, and Allah only causes knowledge to benefit a person when he acts upon it once having learnt it and He does not cause it to benefit the person that leaves it after having learnt it.

Knowledge without action is like a tree without fruit.

You are now in the preliminary world, in front of you are two places of abode, out of which you must live in one of. You have not been given assurance of protection, causing you to feel safe. Nor have you been granted acquittal, causing you to slacken.

Ibn Mas’ood, radiallahu ‘anhu, said: “Learn, learn, and once you have learned, act.” [isnaad hasan]

Abu Hurairah, radiallahu ‘anhu, said: “The example of knowledge not acted upon is that of a treasure none of which is spent in the way of Allah the Mighty and Majestic.”

Az-Zuhree said: “The people will never be pleased with the statement of a scholar who does not act, nor of a person who acts but has no knowledge.” [hasan]

Whoever sought knowledge, intending the knowledge alone (i.e. without action) would not benefit by it. Yet whoever sought knowledge intending to act upon it, would benefit, even by a little knowledge.

Knowledge rests upon action, action rests upon sincerity, and sincerity to Allah brings about understanding of Allah the Mighty and Majestic.

Whoever seeks knowledge in order to act upon it will be humbled by his knowledge but whoever seeks it for other than that, will be increased by it in arrogance.

The time will soon come, if you live long, that knowledge will become a source of beautification, just as a person beautifies himself with a garment.”

If Allah grants you knowledge, in return worship Him and do not make your goal merely narrating to the people.

The scholar remains ignorant with regard to what he has learned until he acts according to it, and only then does he become a true scholar.

Act upon your knowledge O man, and you will profit, for knowledge does not benefit unless one is proficient in action. Knowledge is a beauty, the taqwaa of Allah being its ornation, and the pious are busy with the knowledge they possess. Learn, and then act, as much as you are able to, and do not let amusement nor arguing distract you. Teach the people and always intend to benefit them, and beware! Beware of weariness befalling you.

[From the book Iqtidaa-ul-’Ilmil’Amal (The Need Knowledge Has of Action) by al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee]