The Intention behind Seeking Knowledge

Posted by islamic web  |  at  9:56 PM

By Allah’s permission we should already have some idea of how important it is to seek knowledge of our religion, and feel motivated into doing so because of the many excellent rewards and virtues attached to this deed. But before actually seeking and acquiring this knowledge we must find out the intentions behind it, the reasons why a Muslim must gain knowledge of his religion.

Every deed and saying has behind it an intention, but for the Muslim, every intention must be correct, since the Messenger of Allah, informed us: "Actions are judged by intentions and every man shall have that which he intended"

(1) The correct intention is as important as the action itself. It is certainly more difficult to achieve as the scholars of the past - our Pious Predecessors - used to say: "Nothing is harder for me to handle than the intention, for it overwhelms me."

(2) One of them also said: "Learn the intention, for it is more serious than the action."

(3) The Correct Intentions the intention behind all our actions should be to earn the pleasure of Allah, and seeking knowledge is no exception. We know that this noble action has attached to it many rewards as the Messenger of Allah informed us that for the seeker of knowledge "...angels accord welcome and whatever is in the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the water seek forgiveness... and that Allah - the Most High - directs him to tread a path from the paths of paradise."

(4) This, then, should be at least one reason for gaining knowledge, to acquire for oneself these great blessings, both in this world and the Hereafter.

Another benefit of seeking knowledge of Islam is that it will, by the permission of Allah, remove ignorance about the religion from amongst our selves. A Muslim cannot remain in a state of doubt and confusion about how to worship Allah, because this will prevent him from worshipping Allah correctly. However, acquiring knowledge of this will eradicate the ignorance.

Imam al-Aajurree (d. 360H)said:

"worship is not possible without knowledge, so seeking knowledge is compulsory and ignorance is not a good state for the believer to be in, so he seeks knowledge to remove ignorance from himself and to be able to worship Allah in the way Allah has commanded".

And it is only when one has removed ignorance from oneself that one can help lift the veil of ignorance that also prevents others from the true worship of their Lord.

Also acquiring sound knowledge of Islam enables one to counter the attacks upon it from disbelievers and innovators and all others whose wish is to either destroy or corrupt it. So equipped with certain knowledge one can be in a better position to defend the religion.

There are then, certain reasons behind seeking and acquiring knowledge: wanting the rewards and excellence attached to it, wanting to remove ignorance from oneself and others about Islam in order to worship. Allah properly and being able to defend the religion.

Warnings from the Prophet (S.A.W)

Many actions can be and are done for the purely worldly gains, to seek personal gain or benefit. As we know, this should not be the reason behind the actions and sayings of a Muslim. To seek the pleasure and reward of Allah should be our sole aim. To make this is easier for us, the Messenger of Allah, (S.A.W), warned us against doing actions for other than the sake of Allah and specifically against seeking and acquiring knowledge for the wrong reasons, with incorrect intentions.

He, (S.A.W), said: "Whosoever learns knowledge by which is to be sought the Face of Allah, but he does not do so except to goal of this world, he will not smell the odor of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection."
In another narration the Prophet warned us by saying: "Do not learn the knowledge to amaze/stupefy by it the scholars, nor to delight against the foolish by it, nor to possess the gatherings by it. Whosoever does so, then the Fire, the Fire?"

These two Hadith are extremely clear in their warnings against acquiring knowledge with other than the correct intention. Knowledge of Islam is sought to teach our selves and others, but most importantly to act upon as Allah, the Highest, revealed:

"It is only those who have knowledge amongst His slaves that fear Allah." [35:28].

And as some of the scholars of the past used to say: "Knowledge is not narrating much, but knowledge is fear of Allah."

It should not be sought for reasons of fame or status, which are goals of this world. We should be fearful of not falling into this category, since as the Hadith state the consequences are severe - Hellfire.

We must therefore constantly check our intentions to ensure sincerity and purity of action, especially those in the forefront of da’wah, calling people to Islam; since it is easier for intentions to become tainted whilst standing in front of an audience or group of people. Shaitaan is also constantly at work trying to ruin our good deeds in whichever way he can.

So let us be careful and anxious about why we are seeking knowledge of Islam and ask Allah to save us from being included with the likes of the first to be judged by Him on the Day of Judgment, about whom the Prophet, (S.A.W), warned us: "...So the first to be summoned will be a man who learned knowledge and taught it and read the Qur’an. He will come with it and favors to him will be made known to him and he will recognize it. It will be said: What have you done by it? ‘He will say: ‘I studied the knowledge and taught it and recited for You the Qur’an. It will be said:

‘You have lied. Rather you studied the knowledge so that it would be said of you: ‘a scholar’ and you recited the Qur’an so it would be said of you: ‘a recite.’ And that was said. Then he will be commanded and would be dragged on his face until he is thrown into the Fire..."

May Allah - the One free from all imperfections - protect us from this.