Never Abandon Seeking Islamic Knowledge Altogether
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بِسۡمِ اللهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.ⓘ
This article emphasizes never abandoning the pursuit of Islamic knowledge, even with limited time. It highlights the importance of seeking knowledge gradually, acting upon it sincerely, and remaining connected to scholars. True knowledge gives life meaning and serves as a guide for righteous action in both this world and the Hereafter.
Published: March 21, 2026
Last Update: March 21, 2026
Category: muhammadur-rasulullah
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Never Abandon Seeking Islamic Knowledge Altogether
Shaykh 'Abdul-Rahman Kooni (Arabic Teacher in Madinah) said: I advise and encourage all of you to seek knowledge and strive to study.
A Muslim’s foundation lies in being either a learner, a teacher, or a student of knowledge.
Studying occurs at various levels, and if you are not completely free to dedicate yourself to seeking knowledge, then do not abandon studying altogether.
Strive to acquire however much knowledge you can. This is my advice to you.
Knowledge is essential, because the life of a Muslim without knowledge is meaningless. As ash-Shāfi‘ī said:
“The life of a person, by Allah, is only through knowledge and piety. If they do not exist, then there is no significance to his existence.”
End of speech
Source: With This, Your Life Is Significant! | Shaykh Abdurrahman Kooni
Direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UW56JqvHMg
Based on this, I advise myself and encourage all of you to continue striving to seek beneficial Islamic knowledge until death comes to each one of us. Avoid completely non-beneficial knowledge. For example, politics. Your politics should begin from your own house first.
Examples of beneficial knowledge include: Shahada (understanding shirk, kufr, bid‘ah, worship and tawheed), Salah, the five pillars of Islam, the six pillars of Iman, and Ihsan.
The Beginner Student of Knowledge is Like a Child
Shaykh Salih Al-Fawzan said: Whoever wants to take all the knowledge at once will miss out on all the knowledge. He will not attain anything.
But whoever takes it gradually will reach the goal. Just like a road is travelled step by step until the destination is reached, seeking knowledge is also done in stages.
Everything has a path and a method. If a person ignores the method, he will not reach what he wants.
Allah said:
“Be you Rabbaniyyun (learned men of religion who practise what they know and also teach others), because you are teaching the Book and studying it.” (Qur’an 3:79)
A beginner student of knowledge is like a child. A child is first nourished with milk. He cannot digest heavy food. Then he is gradually given food.
Likewise, the student of knowledge should be taught gradually. Give him a little grammar, a little Fiqh, a little Aqidah, and a little Tawheed, step by step, until his knowledge grows.
End of speech
It was also said:
“Whoever does not protect the foundation will be prevented from reaching his goal in knowledge.”
“Whoever wants to take knowledge all at once will lose it all at once.”
“Overcrowding knowledge in the ear misguides the understanding.”
Knowledge is a Weapon
Knowledge is a weapon. It is either in your favor or against you. If you act upon it, it will benefit you in this world and the Hereafter. If you do not act upon it, it will be against you in this world and the Hereafter.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The Qur’an is a proof for you or against you.”
Knowledge is only a means to action. The goal is that we act upon it.
We learn it, recite it, and reflect upon it, and all of this is so that we act upon it. It is not enough to only memorize the Qur’an or only understand the tafsir. A person must act upon it sincerely for the sake of Allah.
Islamic knowledge is a means, not an end. Its true purpose is righteous action. Knowledge without righteous action does not benefit in this world or the Hereafter.
Knowledge is Sought for Action
Allamah Imam Sufyan Ath-Thawri said:
“Knowledge is only sought for action. So do not abandon knowledge for action, and do not abandon action for knowledge.”
Shaykh Salih Al-Fawzan also said:
“Knowledge is not knowing a lot of information, reading a great deal, or owning many books. Rather, knowledge is understanding, following, and acting upon what a person has learned, even if his knowledge is small.”
The Job of a Student of Knowledge
A student of knowledge should call to Islam according to the level of knowledge he has. He should guide people toward the scholars and those who are upon the truth so that they may benefit from them.
End of speech
The Qur’an Can Be a Means of Destruction for the Ummah
Shaykh Abdu-Razzaq al-Badr said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“I fear two things for my nation: the Qur’an and milk.”
The companions asked: What is meant by the Qur’an and milk?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: A people will learn the Qur’an and interpret it differently from how Allah revealed it, and they will love comfort so much that they will abandon the congregational and Friday prayers.
This shows that the Qur’an can become a means of destruction if a person interprets it with his own opinion and away from the true meaning.
So how can a person protect himself from this path?
Listen to the full speech from the link below to understand how a person can protect himself:
Link: The Destruction of My Nation! | Shaykh Abdu-Razzaq al-Badr