He was answering questions from five people at one time. Whilst acting upon medical advice, he still had four people writing his fatwas as he explained them.

Dear Islamic brothers! Look at how passionate the imam was when it came to learning and teaching Islamic knowledge. For the sake of the imam, may Allah grant us the same passion!

Obligation to gain Islamic knowledge

The Companion Anas b. Mālik رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُ relays how the final Prophet      صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said:

طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِیْضَةٌ عَلیٰ کُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ وَ اِنَّ طَالِبَ  الْعِلْمِ یَستَغْفِرُ لَہٗ کُلُّ شَیْءٍ حَتَّی الْحِیْتَانُ فِی الْبَحْرِ

It is obligatory upon every Muslim to seek religious knowledge. Everything, including the fish in the sea, pray for the forgiveness of a student of knowledge.^[1]

There are many blessings for a student of knowledge. When he is busy learning, reading, and memorising the Quran and hadith, everything in the world including the fish in the sea make dua for his forgiveness. 

Which knowledge is obligatory to seek?

O those who love Allah’s Messenger! Which knowledge is this hadith referring to? The Amir of Ahl al-Sunnah, Mawlana Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri clarifies:

This hadith is not referring to the sciences taught at school and college. It instead refers to religious knowledge that is necessary for us to acquire.