Knowledge Without Righteous Action
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بِسۡمِ اللهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.ⓘ
Learn why knowledge without righteous action is incomplete in Islam. This article explains the importance of practicing what one learns, combining knowledge with sincere deeds, and following the path of the righteous for true guidance and success.
Published: March 21, 2026
Last Update: March 21, 2026
Category: muhammadur-rasulullah
You are reading link-25 online.
Knowledge Without Action
Shaykh Salih Al-Fawzan said: It has been reported in an authentic hadith that there will be from among the students of knowledge those who will be punished before the worshippers of idols.
And they will say: “Starting with us before the worshippers of idols?”
Then it will be said to them: “The one who knows is not like the one who does not know.”
So pay attention to this.
Allah blesses righteous actions even if they come from someone who has little knowledge.
But the one who has a lot of knowledge and does not act upon it, then his knowledge becomes like scattered dust, and such a person may be punished before the worshippers of idols.
End of Speech
Not Acting Upon Knowledge Leads to Forgetfulness
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin (rahimahullah) said regarding the student of knowledge acting upon what he knows:
It is a must that he acts upon the knowledge he has. If he does not act upon it, then he becomes from the first people who will be burned by the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.
The scholar who does not act upon his knowledge will be punished before the worshippers of idols.
This is one aspect. Another aspect is that if he does not act upon his knowledge, then the knowledge itself will lose its blessing, and he will begin to forget it.
It was reported from Imaam ‘Alee (radiyallahu ‘anhu) that he said:
“Knowledge calls out for action. If it is answered, it remains. If it is not answered, it departs.”
So what is it that departs? Knowledge itself. This is something clear. When a person acts upon what he learns, he keeps remembering it again and again.
For example, a person learns the correct description of the prayer from the Sunnah, and he begins to act upon it every time he prays. Will he forget what he has learned? No. Because he keeps repeating it constantly.
But if he stops acting upon it, then he will begin to forget it.
This shows clearly that acting upon knowledge strengthens it and prevents it from being forgotten.
End of Speech
Source
Beneficial Knowledge and Righteous Actions | Shaykh Saleh al-Fawzan حفظه الله
Direct link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1csOoc_NQU
(Sharh Hilyah Taalib il ‘Ilm, pages 24-25 by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen rahimahullah)