Author: Sayyed Musleh Uddin
The Fate of Scientific Arrogance (Part 6)
The Honor of Knowledge
When Harun al-Rashid, the Abbasid Caliph, traveled to the city of Madinah to visit the grave of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), he entered the Prophet’s Mosque and saw Imam Malik (MABH) teaching there.
Harun al-Rashid said to Imam Malik, “O Imam Malik, what harm would there be if you came to Baghdad and taught my children at our home?”
Imam Malik (MABH) replied, “O Harun, knowledge does not come to anyone; rather, you must go to knowledge to acquire it.” Harun agreed and said, “You are right, O Imam of the City of the Prophet!” Then he added, “I will come back to the mosque and visit you again.” Imam Malik said, “O Harun, I hope that when you return to the mosque, if you are late, it will not be permissible for you to break through the rows of people to reach the front.” Harun said, “I have heard, and I will obey.”
The next time Imam Malik (MABH) was teaching a large group of people who had come from near and far, Harun al-Rashid entered the mosque during the lesson. A man with him placed a chair for him, and Harun sat on it. When Imam Malik saw this, he changed the topic of the lesson and said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said in a hadith: “مَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ اللهُ، وَمَنْ تَكَبَّرَ وَضَعَهُ اللَّهُ؛” Translation: “Whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him. And whoever acts arrogantly, Allah will bring him down.” [1]
Harun al-Rashid understood that the Imam was referring to him. He immediately ordered the chair to be removed, sat on the ground, and made himself equal to the rest of the people. He then approached Imam Malik and offered him gifts worth four thousand dirhams for his personal use. When he said, “Please accept these gifts,” Imam Malik calmly replied, “O Amir al-Momineen! I am not entitled to charity, nor do I accept gifts.” Harun asked, “O Malik, why would not you accept the gift, when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) accepted gifts?” Imam Malik replied, “But I am not a prophet who can accept such things.” Then he said, “Take your wealth and put your trust in Allah.” Later, Harun al-Rashid invited Imam Malik to visit Baghdad as his guest, but Imam Malik refused and said, “By Allah, I am not willing to give up living near the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) for anything else.” [2]
Beneficial Knowledge
Beneficial knowledge is the kind that reforms a person. If it brings about piety, fear of Allah, trust in Him, eagerness for good deeds, and attention to the afterlife, then it is truly beneficial. But if it does not stop a person from arrogance, pride, sin, or selfishness, it’s a sign that the knowledge is not beneficial.
To gain beneficial knowledge, the following are essential:
1. Pure intention: The goal of learning should be to revive Islam.
2. Piety during study: Being Allah-conscious is key to making knowledge beneficial.
3. Respecting the manners and etiquette of learning is also very important.
The Rank of the Scholar
Knowledge holds a status higher than all other ranks. After death, it continues to be remembered—both in this world and in the next. But ignorance is buried and forgotten after death. Even the greatest king or military commander cannot match the rank of a true scholar.
A person is saved through knowledge when others are lost in heedlessness. Through knowledge, there is hope for salvation. Through knowledge, scholars may intercede for those who are in the worst parts of Hell. Knowledge is the highest of all positions. When you reach it, do not be sad if you haven’t reached worldly ranks. If you do not gain the pleasures and comforts of this world, do not be upset—for knowledge is the greatest blessing of all.
Continues…
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[1] ـ Al-Tadhkirah fi al-Wa’z, vol. 1, p. 203.
[2] ـ The Status of Knowledge and Scholars, p. 123.
