Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

1345 - بَرَكاتُ التَّعليمِ‏

1345. THE BLESSINGS OF TEACHING

4491. تنبيه الخواطر : أوحَى اللَّهُ تَعالى‏ إلى‏ موسى‏ : يا موسى‏ ، تَعَلَّمِ الخَيرَ وعَلِّمْهُ النّاسَ ؛ فإنّي مُنَوِّرٌ لِمُعَلِّمي الخَيرِ ومُتَعَلِّميهِ قُبورَهُم ؛ حَتّى‏ لا يَستَوحِشوا بِمَكانِهِم1

4491. It is narrated in Tanbih al-Khawatir: Allah, most High, revealed to Prophet Moses (AS) saying, ‘O Moses, learn good and teach it to people, for verily I enlighten the graves of the teachers and the learners of good, so that they never feel afraid in their resting place.’2

4492. عيسى عليه السلام : مَن عَلِمَ ، وعَمِلَ ، وعَلَّمَ ، عُدَّ فِي المَلَكوتِ الأعظمِ عَظيماً3

4492. Prophet Jesus (AS) said, ‘He who has knowledge, acts upon what he knows and teaches it to others is regarded as great in the greatest Kingdom [of the heavens].’4

4493. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : أفضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ أن يَعلَمَ المَرءُ عِلماً ثُمَّ يُعَلِّمَهُ أخاهُ5

4493. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The best form of charity is for a man to gain knowledge and then teach it to his fellow brother.’6

4494. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : أيُّما رَجُلٍ آتاهُ اللَّهُ عِلماً فكَتَمَهُ وهُوَ يَعلَمُهُ ، لَقِيَ اللَّهَ عَزَّوجلَّ يَومَ القِيامَةِ مُلجَماً بِلِجامٍ مِن نارٍ7

4494. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Any man who has been granted knowledge by Allah but who suppresses it, in spite of knowing it, will meet Allah, Mighty and Exalted, on the Day of Resurrection bridled with a rein of fire.’8

4495. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ما أخَذَ اللَّهُ عَلى‏ أهلِ الجَهلِ أن يَتَعَلَّموا حَتّى‏ أخَذَ عَلى‏ أهلِ العِلمِ أن يُعَلِّموا9

4495. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Allah does not obligate the ignorant to learn until He has obligated the knowledgeable to teach.’10

4496. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : كلُّ شَي‏ءٍ يَنقُصُ عَلَى الإنفاقِ إلّا العِلمَ11

4496. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Everything decreases with giving away except knowledge.’12

4497. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : مَن عَلَّمَ بابَ هُدىً فلَهُ مِثلُ أجرِ مَن عَمِلَ بِهِ ، ولا يُنقَصُ اُولئكَ مِن اُجورِهِم شَيئاً13

4497. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘He who teaches someone a matter of guidance receives the same reward as he who practices it, without any decrease in the latter’s reward thereof.’14

4498. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : مُعَلِّمُ الخَيرِ يَستَغفِرُ لَهُ دَوابُّ الأرضِ ، وحِيتانُ البُحورِ ، وكُلُّ صَغيرَةٍ وكَبيرَةٍ في أرضِ اللَّهِ وسَمائهِ15

4498. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘For the teacher of good, all the animals on the land and the fish in the sea seek forgiveness on his behalf, as do all creatures great and small in Allah’s earth and sky.’16

4499. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: إنَّ لِكُلِّ شَي‏ءٍ زَكاةً ، وزَكاةُ العِلمِ أن يُعَلِّمَهُ أهلَهُ17

4499. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily upon everything is its zakat, and the zakat of knowledge is to teach it to those who are worthy of it.’18

Notes

1. تنبيه الخواطر : 2 / 212

2. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 212

3. تنبيه الخواطر : 1 / 82

4. Ibid. p. 82

5. منية المريد : 105

6. Munyat al-Murid, p. 105

7. الأمالي للطوسي : 377 / 808

8. Amali al-Tusi, p. 377, no. 808

9. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 478

10. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 478

11. غرر الحكم : 6888

12. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6888

13. تحف العقول : 297

14. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 297

15. ثواب الأعمال : 159 / 1

16. Thawab al-Amal, p. 159, no. 1

17. تحف العقول : 364

18. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 364

1346 - صِفَةُ حَشْرِ المُعَلِّمِ‏

1346. THE WAY THE TEACHER WILL BE RESURRECTED

4500. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ألا اُخبِرُكُم عَنِ الأجوَدِ الأجوَدِ ؟ اللَّهُ الأجوَدُ الأجوَدُ ، وأنا أجوَدُ وُلدِ آدَمَ، وأجوَدُكُم مِن بَعدي رَجُلٌ عُلِّمَ عِلماً فنَشَرَ عِلمَهُ ، يُبعَثُ يَومَ القِيامَةِ اُمَّةً وَحدَهُ ، ورَجُلٌ جادَ بِنَفسِهِ للَّهِ‏ِ عَزَّوجلَّ حَتّى‏ يُقتَلَ1

4500. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Shall I inform you who the absolutely most generous one is? Allah is the Absolutely Most Generous One, and I am the most generous of Adam’s offspring, and the most generous from amongst you all after me is the man who has been taught knowledge and subsequently spreads his knowledge to others. He will be raised on the Day of Resurrection as a community in himself, and after him is the man who is generous in giving up his life for Allah, Mighty and Exalted, and is killed for Him.’2

Notes

1. الترغيب والترهيب : 1 / 119 / 5

2. al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib, v. 1, p. 119, no. 5

1347 - التَعَلُّمُ للَّهِ‏ِ ولِغَيرِ اللَّهِ‏

1347. GAINING KNOWLEDGE FOR ALLAH AND FOR OTHER THAN ALLAH

4501. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن طَلَبَ العِلمَ للَّهِ‏ِ لَم يُصِبْ مِنهُ باباً إلّا ازدادَ بِهِ في نَفسِهِ ذُلّاً ، وفِي النّاسِ تَواضُعاً ، وللَّهِ‏ِ خَوفاً ، وفِي الدِّينِ اجتِهاداً ، وذلكَ الّذي يَنتَفِعُ بِالعِلمِ فَليَتَعَلَّمْهُ ، ومَن طَلَبَ العِلمَ لِلدّنيا والمَنزِلَةِ عِندَ النّاسِ والحَظوَةِ عِندَ السُّلطانِ لَم يُصِبْ مِنهُ باباً إلّا ازدادَ في نَفسِهِ عَظَمَةً ، وعَلى النّاسِ استِطالَةً ، وبِاللَّهِ اغتِراراً ، ومِنَ الدِّينِ جَفاءً ، فذلكَ الّذي لا يَنتَفِعُ بِالعِلمِ ، فَلْيَكُفَّ وَليُمسِكْ عَنِ الحُجَّةِ عَلى‏ نَفسِهِ ، والنَّدامَةِ والخِزيِ يَومَ القِيامَةِ1

4501. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who seeks knowledge for Allah, no sooner does he learn even a chapter of it than it increases him in humility within himself, in humbleness in front of people, it increases his fear of Allah and his striving in religion, and that is the one who benefits from the knowledge, so he should acquire. And he who seeks knowledge for this world and for status amongst people and for a favoured position with the ruler, no sooner does he learn even a chapter of it than it only increases his arrogance within himself, his presumptuousness with people, his self-delusion about Allah and his estrangement from religion. That is the one who does not benefit from his knowledge, and must subsequently refrain from it and stop furnishing proof for the case against himself in order not to feel regret and shame on the Day of Resurrection.’2

4502. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَنِ ابتَغى العِلمَ لِيَخدَعَ بِهِ النّاسَ لَم يَجِدْ رِيحَ الجَنَّةِ3

4502. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who desires knowledge in order that he may beguile people will never even smell the fragrance of Paradise.’4

4503. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن تَعَلَّمَ العِلمَ لِغَيرِ اللَّهِ تَعالى‏ فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقعَدَهُ مِن نارٍ5

4503. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Whoever gains knowledge for the sake of anything other than Allah, most High, should take himself a seat in the Fire.’6

4504. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : خُذوا مِنَ العِلمِ ما بَدا لَكُم ، وإيّاكُم أن تَطلُبوهُ لِخِصالٍ أربَعٍ : لِتُباهوا بِهِ العُلَماءَ ، أو تُماروا بِهِ السُّفَهاءَ ، أو تُراؤوا بِهِ فِي المَجالِسِ ، أوتَصرِفوا وُجوهَ النّاسِ إلَيكُم لِلتَّرَؤّسِ7

4504. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Take of knowledge whatever seems good to you, but beware of seeking knowledge for four reasons: in order that you may contend with the scholars, or in order to wrangle with foolish people, or that you may show off with it in gatherings, or in order that people may look up to you to lead them.’8

4505. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن تَعَلَّمَ للَّهِ‏ِ وعَمِلَ للَّهِ‏ِ وعَلَّمَ‏للَّهِ‏ِدُعِيَ‏في‏مَلَكوتِ‏السَّماواتِ‏عَظيماً، فقيلَ : تَعَلَّمَ للَّهِ‏ِ ، وعَمِلَ للَّهِ‏ِ ، وعَلَّمَ للَّهِ‏ِ !9

4505. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘He who gains knowledge for the sake of Allah, acts upon it for the sake of Allah and teaches it for the sake of Allah is called great in the kingdom of the heavens, and it is exclaimed about him: ‘Indeed he gains knowledge for Allah, acts for Allah and teaches for Allah!’10

Notes

1. روضة الواعظين : 16

2. Rawdat al-Wai?in, p. 16

3. مكارم الأخلاق : 2 / 364 / 2661

4. Makarim al-Akhlaq, v. 2, p. 364, no. 2661

5. كنز العمّال : 29035

6. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 29035

7. الإرشاد : 1 / 230

8. al-Irshad, v. 1, p. 230

9. الأمالي للطوسي : 167 / 280

10. Amali al-Tusi, p. 167, no. 280

1348 - ما يَنبَغي في اختِيارِ المُعَلِّم‏

1348. WHAT IS NECESSARY IN CHOOSING A TEACHER

4506. عيسى عليه السلام : خُذوا الحَقَ‏مِن‏أهلِ‏الباطِلِ، ولا تأخُذوا الباطِلَ مِن أهلِ الحَقِّ ، كونوا نُقّادَ الكَلامِ1

4506. Prophet Jesus (AS) said, ‘Take the truth even if it be from wrongdoers, but do not take falsehood even if it be from the righteous – be critics of speech.’2

4507. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : العِلمُ دِينٌ ، الصَّلاةُ دِينٌ ، فَانظُروا عَمَّن تَأخُذونَ هذا العِلمَ3

4507. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Knowledge is a part of religion [just as] prayer is a part of religion, so be careful who you take this knowledge from.’4

4508. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : خُذِ الحِكمَةَ مِمَّن أتاكَ بِها ، وَانظُرْ إلى‏ ما قالَ ، ولا تَنظُرْ5 إلى‏ مَن قالَ‏6 7

4508. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Take wisdom from whoever brings it to you, and look at that which is being said and do not look at who is saying it.’8 ,9

4509. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : لا عِلمَ إلّا مِن عالِمٍ رَبّانِيٍّ ، ومَعرِفَةُ العالِمِ بِالعَقلِ10

4509. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘Knowledge can only be gained from a divine scholar, and recognition of that scholar is through the intellect.’11

(اُنظر) الحكمة : باب 562

(See also: WISDOM: section 562)

Notes

1. المحاسن : 1 / 359 / 769

2. al-Mahasin, v. 1, p. 359, no. 769

3. كنز العمّال : 28666

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 28666

5. في الطبعة المعتمدة : «تنظره»، والصحيح ما أثبتناه كما في الطبعات الاُخرى

6. غرر الحكم : 5048

7. يلاحَظُ أنّ هناك تعارضاً ظاهرياً بين أحاديث هذا الباب وأحاديث الباب السابق، وقد بحثنا هذا الأمر في كتاب العلم والحكمة راجع كتاب : العلم والحكمة فى الكتاب والسنة : آداب التَّعَلُم، قبولُ الحَقِّ مِمَّن أتى بِهِ

8. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5048

9. It can apparantely be seen that the traditions in this chapter contradict with that of the previous chapter. This issue has been explained in the book al-Ilm wa al-Hikmah. See (al-Ilm wa al-Hikmah fi al-Kitab wa al-Sunnah: section: The Etiquettes of Learning)

10. تحف العقول : 387

11. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 387

1349 - حُقوقُ المُتَعَلِّمِ عَلَى المُعَلِّمِ‏

1349. THE RIGHTS OF THE STUDENT TO BE OBSERVED BY THE TEACHER

4510. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لِينُوا لِمَن تُعلِّمونَ ، ولِمَن تَتَعَلَّمونَ مِنهُ1

4510. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Be gentle towards those whom you teach as well to those whom you learn from.’2

4511. الإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام : أمّا حَقُّ رَعِيَّتِكَ بِالعِلمِ : فأن تَعلَمَ أنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّوجلَّ إنَّما جَعَلَكَ قَيِّماً لَهُم فيما آتاكَ مِنَ العِلمِ ، وفَتَحَ لَكَ مِن خَزائنِهِ ، فإذا أحسَنتَ في تَعليمِ النّاسِ ولَم تَخرُقْ بِهِم ولَم تَضجَرْ عَلَيهِم زادَكَ اللَّهُ مِن فَضلِهِ ، وإن أنتَ مَنَعتَ النّاسَ عِلمَكَ أو خَرَقتَ بِهِم عِندَ طَلَبِهِمِ العِلمَ كانَ حَقّاً عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّوجلَّ أن يَسلُبَكَ العِلمَ وبَهاءَهُ ، ويُسقِطَ مِنَ القُلوبِ مَحَلَّكَ3

4511. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, ‘The right of your subjects through the knowledge you possess is to know that Allah has made you a custodian over them on account of the knowledge He has bestowed on you and the storehouses [of wisdom] which He has opened up for you. If you teach people well, and do not mistreat them, and do not get bored of [teaching] them, then Allah will increase His grace upon you. But if you withhold your knowledge from people or treat them harshly when they seek knowledge from you, then it will be Allah’s right to deprive you of knowledge and its magnificence, and to make you fall from your place in the people’s hearts.’4

4512. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : عَلَى العالِمِ إذا عَلَّمَ أن لا يَعنُفَ ، وإذا عُلِّمَ أن لا يَأنَفَ5

4512. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The knowledgeable man must not be harsh when he teaches, and he must not be disdainful when he learns.’6

4513. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في قولهِ تعالى‏ : (وَلا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنّاسِ)7 - : لِيَكُنِ النّاسُ عِندَكَ فِي العِلمِ سَواءً8

4513. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) with regards to Allah’s verse in the Qur’an:“Do not turn your cheek disdainfully from the people” 9 , said, ‘That people should be equal in your eyes when it comes to [sharing] knowledge.’10

Notes

1. منية المريد : 193

2. Munyat al-Murid, p. 193

3. عوالي اللآلي : 4 / 74 / 54

4. Awali al-La’ali, v. 4, p. 74, no. 54

5. تنبيه الخواطر : 1 / 85

6. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 1, p. 85

7. لقمان : 18

8. منية المريد : 185

9. Qur’an 31 :18

10. Munyat al-Murid, p. 185

1350 - حُقوقُ المُعَلِّمِ عَلَى المُتَعَلِّمِ‏

1350. THE RIGHTS OF THE TEACHER TO BE OBSERVED BY THE STUDENT

4514. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله: ثَلاثَةٌ لا يَستَخِفُّ بِحَقِّهِم إلّا مُنافِقٌ : ذو شَيبَةٍ فِي الإسلامِ ، وإمامٌ مُقسِطٌ ، ومُعَلِّمُ الخَيرِ1

4514. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘There are three types of people whose right none will deem lightly apart from the hypocrite whose hypocrisy is obvious: the old person in Islam, the just leader, and the teacher of good.’2

4515. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مِن حَقِّ العالِمِ عَلَيكَ أن تُسَلِّمَ عَلَى القَومِ عامَّةً وتَخُصَّهُ دونَهُم بِالتَّحِيَّةِ ، وأن تَجلِسَ أمامَهُ ، ولا تُشيرَنَّ عِندَهُ بِيَدِكَ ، ولا تَغمِزَنَّ بِعَينَيكَ ، ولا تَقولَنَّ : «قالَ فُلانٌ» خِلافاً لِقَولِهِ ، ولا تَغتابَنَّ عِندَهُ أحَداً ، ولا تُسارَّ في مَجلِسِهِ ، ولا تَأخُذَ بِثَوبِهِ ، ولا تَلِجَ‏3 عَلَيهِ إذا مَلَّ ، ولا تُعرِضَ مِن طُولِ صُحبَتِهِ ، فإنَّما هِيَ بِمَنزِلَةِ النَّخلَةِ تَنتَظِرُ مَتى‏ يَسقُطُ عَلَيكَ مِنها شَي‏ءٌ4

4515. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘It is a scholar’s right upon you that you greet people in general as a whole but single him out with your greeting, that you sit in front of him, that you do not point to him with your hand, nor make hints against him with your eyes, nor say, ‘but x said’ in opposition to his statements, nor backbite anyone in his presence, nor whisper secrets to others in his gathering, nor pull on his robe, nor insist for him to continue if he is tired, nor show disinclination at the length of his speech, for verily it [i.e. his speech] is as a palm tree from which you [should] anxiously wait for something to fall from it for you.’5

4516. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لَيسَ مِن أخلاقِ المُؤمِنِ التَّمَلُّقُ وَلا الحَسَدُ إلّا في طَلَبِ العِلمِ6

4516. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘It is not part of the moral virtues of a believer that he should flatter or be jealous except in the quest for knowledge.’7

4517. الإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام : حَقُّ سائسِكَ بِالعِلمِ : التَّعظيمُ لَهُ ، والتَّوقيرُ لِمَجلِسِهِ ، وحُسنُ الاستِماعِ إلَيهِ ، والإقبالُ عَلَيهِ ، وأن لا تَرفَعَ عَلَيهِ صَوتَكَ ، وأن لا تُجيبَ أحَداً يَسألُهُ عَن شَي‏ءٍ حَتّى‏ يَكونَ هُوَ الّذي يُجيبُ ، ولا تُحَدِّثَ في مَجلسِهِ أحَداً ، ولا تَغتابَ عِندَهُ أحَداً ، وأن تَدفَعَ عَنهُ إذا ذُكِرَ عِندَكَ بِسُوءٍ ، وأن تَستُرَ عُيوبَهُ ، وتُظهِرَ مَناقِبَهُ ، ولا تُجالِسَ لَهُ عَدُوّاً ، ولا تُعادِيَ لَهُ وَلِيّاً ، فإذا فَعَلتَ ذلكَ شَهِدَ لَكَ مَلائكَةُ اللَّهِ بِأنَّكَ قَصَدتَهُ وتَعَلَّمتَ عِلْمَهُ للَّهِ‏ِ جَلَّ اسمُهُ لا لِلنّاسِ8

4517. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, ‘The right of the one who trains you in knowledge is to magnify him, to revere his sessions, to listen to him attentively, and to pay attention to him with devotion. You should not raise your voice to him, nor answer a question that someone has asked him about something, so that he will be the one to answer. You should not address anyone else in his session, nor backbite anyone in his presence. You must defend him if anyone ever speaks ill of him in your presence, conceal his faults and publicise his virtues. You should not sit in the company of his enemy, nor be hostile towards his friend. If you fulfil this right, Allah’s angels bear witness that you frequented him and learned from his knowledge for the sake of Allah, exalted be His Name, and not for the sake of people.’9

Notes

1. تنبيه الخواطر : 2 / 212

2. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 212

3. كذا في المصدر، و لعلّ الصحيح «تُلِحَّ »

4. كنز العمّال : 29363 ، 29520 نحوه

5. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 29363

6. كنز العمّال : 29364 و 28937 نحوه

7. Ibid. no. 29364

8. الخصال : 567 / 1

9. al-Khisal, p. 567, no. 1

1351 - تَكريمُ العالِمِ‏

1351. HONOURING THE SCHOLAR

4518. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَنِ استَقبَلَ العُلَماءَ فقَدِ استَقبَلَني ، ومَن زارَ العُلَماءَ فقَد زارَني ، ومَن جالَسَ العُلَماءَ فقَد جالَسَني ، ومَن جالَسَني فَكأنَّما جالَسَ رَبّي1

4518. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who goes forth to meet the scholars has indeed come forth to meet me, and he who visits the scholars has indeed visited me, and he who sits in the company of the scholars has indeed sat in my company, and whoever sits in my company is as if he has sat in the company of my Lord.’2

4519. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إذا رَأيتَ عالِماً فَكُن لَهُ خادِماً3

4519. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘When you see a scholar, be a servant to him.’4

4520. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن وَقَّرَ عالِماً فقَد وَقَّرَ رَبَّهُ5

4520. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who shows reverence to a scholar has revered his Lord.’6

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 28883

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 28883

3. غرر الحكم : 4044

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4044

5. غرر الحكم : 8704

6. Ibid. no. 8704

1352 - ما يَنبَغي عَلَى المُتَعَلِّمِ‏

1352. DUTIES INCUMBENT ON THE STUDENT

4521. الخضرُ عليه السلام - لِموسى‏ عليه السلام - : يا موسى‏ ، تَفَرَّغْ لِلعِلمِ إن كُنتَ تُريدُهُ، فإنَّ العِلمَ لِمَن تَفَرَّغَ1

4521. al-Khidr (AS) said to Prophet Moses (AS), ‘O Moses, devote yourself exclusively to knowledge if you want it, for verily knowledge is for the one who devotes himself exclusively to it.’2

4522. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لا يَتِمُّ عَقلُ المَرءِ حَتّى‏ يَتِمَّ فيهِ عَشرُ خِلالٍ لا يَسأمُ مِن طَلَبِ العِلمِ طُولَ عُمرِهِ3

4522. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘A person’s intellect is incomplete until ten qualities come together in him…that he must never tire of seeking knowledge his whole life.’4

4523. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : عَلى المُتَعَلِّمِ أن يُدئبَ نَفسَهُ في طَلَبِ العِلمِ ، ولا يَمَلَّ مِن تَعَلُّمِهِ ، ولا يَستَكثِرَ ما عَلِمَ5

4523. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The student must discipline himself in his quest for knowledge, and not become bored of learning, nor overestimate what he already knows.’6

4524. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا يُحرِزُ العِلمَ إلّا مَن يُطيلُ دَرسَهُ7

4524. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Only he who lengthens his study attains knowledge.’8

4525. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن أكثَرَ الفِكرَ فيما تَعَلَّمَ أتقَنَ عِلمَهُ ، وفَهِمَ ما لَم يَكُن يَفهَمُ9

4525. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who gives a great deal of thought to what he learns masters his knowledge, and comes to understand that which he could not understand before.’10

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 44176

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 44176

3. تنبيه الخواطر : 2 / 112

4. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 112

5. غرر الحكم : 6197

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6197

7. غرر الحكم : 10758

8. Ibid. no. 758

9. غرر الحكم : 8917

10. Ibid. no. 8917

1353 - فَضلُ العُلَماءِ

1353. THE VIRTUE OF THE SCHOLARS

4526. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : العُلَماءُ اُمَناءُ اللَّهِ عَلى‏ خَلقِهِ1

4526. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The scholars are Allah’s trustees over His creation.’2

4527. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : فَضلُ العالِمِ عَلى‏ غَيرِهِ كَفَضلِ النَّبِيِّ عَلى‏ اُمَّتِهِ3

4527. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The superiority of the scholar over others is as the superiority of the prophet over his community.’4

4528. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العُلَماءُ حُكّامٌ عَلَى النّاسِ5

4528. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The scholars are the governors over people.’6

4529. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : عُلَماءُ شيعَتِنا مُرابِطونَ فِي الثَّغرِ الّذي يَلي إبليسَ وعَفاريتَهُ ، يَمنَعونَهُم عَنِ الخُروجِ عَلى‏ ضُعَفاءِ شيعَتِنا ، وعَن أن يَتَسَلَّطَ عَلَيهِم إبليسُ وشيعَتُهُ7

4529. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The scholars from among our Shia are stationed at the forefront next to where Satan and his demons are, preventing them from coming out to the weak Shia and from letting Satan and his followers gain mastery over them.’8

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 28675

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 28675

3. كنز العمّال : 28798

4. Ibid. no. 28798

5. غرر الحكم : 507

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 507

7. الإحتجاج : 1 / 13 / 7

8. al-Ihtijaj, v. 1, p. 13, no. 7

1354 - ثَمَرَةُ العِلمِ‏

1354. THE FRUIT OF KNOWLEDGE

( وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوابِّ وَالْأنْعامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ ألْوانُهُ كَذلِكَ إنَّما يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبادِهِ الْعُلَماءُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ)1

“And of humans and beasts and cattle there are likewise diverse hues. Only those of Allah’s servants having knowledge fear Him. Indeed Allah is all-mighty, all-forgiving.” 2

4530. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثَمَرَةُ العِلمِ العَمَلُ بِهِ3

4530. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The fruit of knowledge is action in accordance with it.’4

4531. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثَمَرَةُ العِلمِ العِبادَةُ5

4531. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The fruit of knowledge is worship.’6

4532. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثَمَرَةُ العِلمِ إخلاصُ العَمَلِ7

4532. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The fruit of knowledge is sincerity of action.’8

4533. مصباح الشريعة - فيما نسبه إلى الإمامِ الصّادقِ عليه السلام - : الخَشيَةُ مِيراثُ العِلمِ ، والعِلمُ شُعاعُ المَعرِفَةِ وقَلبُ الإيمانِ ، ومَن حُرِمَ الخَشيَةَ لا يَكونُ عالِماً وإن شَقَّ الشَّعرَ بِمُتَشابِهاتِ العِلمِ ، قالَ اللَّهُ تَعالى‏ : (إنَّما يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِن عِبادِهِ العُلَماءُ)9

4533. It is narrated in Misbah al-Sharia (The Lantern of the Path) that Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Fear [of Allah] is the legacy of knowledge, and knowledge is the ray of inner understanding and the heart of faith. So he who is devoid of fear cannot be knowledgeable, even if he is precise in obscure sciences.’ Allah, most High, has said,“Only those of Allah’s servants having knowledge fear Him.” 10

Notes

1. فاطر : 28

2. Qur’an 35 :28

3. غرر الحكم : 4624

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4624

5. غرر الحكم : 4600

6. Ibid. no. 4600

7. غرر الحكم : 4642

8. Ibid. no. 4642

9. بحارالأنوار : 2 / 52 / 18

10. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 52, no. 18

1355 - ما يَنبَغي عَلَى العالِمِ‏

1355. THE DUTIES INCUMBENT UPON A PERSON OF KNOWLEDGE

4534. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن قالَ : أنا عالِمٌ فَهُوَ جاهِلٌ1

4534. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Whoever says: ‘I am a knowledgeable man’ is indeed ignorant.’2

4535. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العالِمُ مَن لا يَشبَعُ مِنَ العِلمِ ، ولا يَتَشبَّعُ بِهِ3

4535. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The scholar is the one who is never satiated with knowledge, and never becomes full of it.’4

4536. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العالِمُ الّذي لايَمَلُّ مِن تَعَلُّمِ العِلمِ5

4536. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The scholar is the one who never gets bored of gaining knowledge.’6

Notes

1. منية المريد : 137

2. Munyat al-Murid, no. 137

3. غرر الحكم : 1740

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1740

5. غرر الحكم : 1303

6. Ibid. no. 1303

1356 - ذمّ العمل بلا علم‏

1356. REPREHENSION OF PRACTISING WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE

4537. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن عَمِلَ عَلى‏ غَيرِ عِلمٍ كانَ ما يُفسِدُ أكثَرَ مِمّا يُصلِحُ1

4537. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who acts contrary to what he knows, his immoral acts supercede his righteous acts.’2

4538. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المُتَعبِّدُ بِغَيرِ فِقهٍ كالحِمارِ في الطّاحونِ3

4538. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The one who worships without any knowledge [of his actions] is as a donkey in a mill.’4

4539. الإمامُ الصادقُ عليه السلام : العامِلُ عَلى‏ غَيرِ بَصيرَةٍ كَالسّائرِ عَلى‏ غَيرِ الطَّريقِ ، ولا يَزيدُهُ سُرعَةُ السَّيرِ مِنَ الطَّريقِ إلّا بُعداً5

4539. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘He who acts without any insight is as the one who travels off the path, whom walking faster only avails to take him further away from the path.’6

Notes

1. المحاسن : 1 / 314 / 621

2. al-Mahasin, v. 1, p. 314, no. 621

3. كنز العمّال : 28709

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 28709

5. الأمالي للصدوق : 507 / 705

6. Amali al-Saduq, p. 343, no. 18