Knowledge – the axis

Dear Islamic brothers! Islamic knowledge bears steep significance, such that on the Day of Judgement, scholars will be granted ranks far above ordinary people. The Proof of Islam, Imām Ghazālī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states: "Knowledge is the foundation of success and the axis of the religion."

Knowledge is life whilst ignorance is death

Shaykh Naqī ꜤAlī Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه writes, "No excellence in this world or the Hereafter can be attained without sacred knowledge, and even faith remains incomplete without it."

That is why scholars say:

اَلْعِلْمُ بَابُ اللہِ الْاَقْرَب

Knowledge is the closest door leading to Allah.

وَالْجَہْلُ اَعْظَمُ حِجَابٌ بَیْنَکَ وَ بَیْنَ اللہ

Ignorance is the greatest barrier between you and Allah.

The shaykh further mentions, "Knowledge is life and ignorance is death."^[1]

May Allah bless us all with passion for seeking Islamic knowledge.

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ

Let us now look at some Aḥādīth discussing sacred knowledge.

Action and knowledge

Ḥakīm b. Ḥizām رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ narrates that the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: