Since knowledge of Islam is the key to true fear of Allah, genuine piety, sincere and accurate application of the religion, the best refinement of manners, and a truly blessed and happy life, it is the most important blessing He provides, more essential than food, drink, or basic shelter! He, the Benevolent Provider, supplies His entire creation with their basic needs to survive, yet religious guidance is a special blessing given exclusively to those whom He loves and wants good for. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) said [what means], "When Allah wants good for someone, He grants him understanding in the religion." (Al-Bukhaaree & Muslim)
This implies that when Allah wants evil and misguidance for a person, He deprives him of understanding in the religion. Considering how crucial this
hadeeth is, and how scary its reality is, we need regular reminders about it and deep awareness of it. So let us look to the words of one of the best of this era's great scholars,
al-'Allaamah Rabee' ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allah have Mercy on him) and how he fleshed out some of the important details of the
hadeeth above.
This book is a translation of a transcribed lecture delivered by the shaykh at Masjid al-Ameerah Hissah bint Su'ood in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in the year 1426 (2005), as part of the 8th annual
al-Imaam Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem Islamic Seminar. In this brief yet highly beneficial advice,
Shaykh Rabee' ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allah have Mercy on him) begins by mentioning the lofty status of Islamic knowledge, since Allah actually praises Himself because of Knowledge. He also praises the best of His worshippers, the noble prophets and messengers for their knowledge. He cites Quranic examples of the knowledge of Ibraaheem, Yoosuf, Moosaa, and Muhammad (may Allah raise their ranks and grant them peace). He reminds us about the status of the scholars of this
ummah, the importance of sincerity and following the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace), being balanced and middle coursed, and avoiding both negligence and extremism. He then introduces the meanings of
fiqh and how knowledge and understanding must be centered around
towheed and based on proofs and evidence.
The author (may Allah have Mercy on him) further speaks about the importance of traveling to the scholars for knowledge, with detailed stories about Prophet Moosaa and some of the noble companions. He provides a detailed analysis of the verse in
Soorah at-Towbah (9:122) about the duty to focus on knowledge, even during military battles. He also explains the authentic narration about the angels lowering their wings for seekers of knowledge, and the amazing parable about the three different types of soil. He then concludes with some key points of specific manners and good character needed by all seekers of knowledge.
The shaykh (may Allah reward him, have Mercy on him, and forgive him) was then asked seven questions after the lecture. We have included all of his answers, beginning on page 74.
By Allah's Permission, we have also included along with this translation a few helpful resources:
- A brief biography of the author (pp.11-14)
- A glossary of Arabic terms used (pp.93-95)
- Three quizzes with answer keys (pp.96-103)
We ask Allah to have Mercy on the author, who recently passed away in the city of al-Madeenah (Saudi Arabia), the eve of Thursday, the 15th of al-Muharram, 1447, at the age of 95. May Allah forgive him and enable the Muslims to continue benefitting from the grounded knowledge and tremendous insight he put forth.
