WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.459 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.459 --> 00:00:10.740 “Is he who payeth adoration in the watches of the night, prostrate and standing, bewaring of the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, (to be accounted equal with a disbeliever)? Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Are those who know equal with those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed.” (39:9) 00:00:10.740 --> 00:00:16.940 The Splendor of Knowledge according to the Sages. 00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:21.739 By Dr. Hamza Ibn Fayi' Al Fathi. 00:00:21.739 --> 00:00:27.100 May Allah preserve him. 00:00:27.100 --> 00:00:30.100 Rectifying Academic Intent. 00:00:30.100 --> 00:00:35.899 Hisham Al Dastawa'i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:39.899 He who passed away in the year 154 AH. 00:00:39.899 --> 00:00:42.899 "By Allah, I cannot say—" 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:44.899 "—that I ever went out one day—" 00:00:44.899 --> 00:00:46.899 "—seeking hadith—" 00:00:46.899 --> 00:00:50.799 "—intending by it the Face of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic." 00:00:50.799 --> 00:00:54.799 The most difficult challenge for a student and seeker of knowledge— 00:00:54.799 --> 00:00:57.799 —is refining his intention and directing it properly— 00:00:57.799 --> 00:01:00.799 —so that his path remains sound— 00:01:00.799 --> 00:01:02.799 —and his interactions remain wholesome— 00:01:02.799 --> 00:01:06.799 —so that his efforts and journey are not corrupted for him. 00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:11.799 Here, Hisham, may Allah have mercy on him, is being truthful with himself and with others— 00:01:11.799 --> 00:01:16.799 —acknowledging that worldly inclinations compete with his intention and purpose. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:23.799 Therefore, Imam Al Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, comments on the words of Al Dastawa'i, saying: 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:25.799 "By Allah, neither can I." 00:01:25.799 --> 00:01:28.799 For the salaf used to seek knowledge for the sake of Allah— 00:01:28.799 --> 00:01:31.799 —so they became noble and emerged as imams to be followed. 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:35.799 Others among them sought it initially for reasons other than Allah— 00:01:35.799 --> 00:01:37.799 —and they acquired it— 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:40.799 —then they awakened and held themselves to account— 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:44.799 —so the knowledge drew them toward sincerity along the way. 00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:47.799 As Mujahid and others said: 00:01:47.799 --> 00:01:49.799 "We sought this knowledge—" 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:51.799 "—while we had no great intention in it—" 00:01:51.799 --> 00:01:54.799 "—then Allah granted us the intention afterward." 00:01:54.799 --> 00:01:57.209 And some of them say: 00:01:57.209 --> 00:02:00.209 "We sought this knowledge for other than Allah—" 00:02:00.209 --> 00:02:03.209 "—but it refused to be for anything but Allah." 00:02:03.209 --> 00:02:05.209 This, too, is good. 00:02:05.209 --> 00:02:08.210 Then they disseminated it with a righteous intention. 00:02:08.210 --> 00:02:11.280 As for those who sought it with a corrupt intention— 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:13.280 —for the sake of the world— 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:15.280 —and to be praised— 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:17.280 —then they shall have what they intended. 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:20.280 These are the intentions of people regarding knowledge. 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:22.280 Al Dhahabi categorizes them— 00:02:22.280 --> 00:02:25.280 —and clarifies the superiority of those who came before over those who came after— 00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:28.280 —and that they were in a state of struggle and treatment— 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:30.280 —until their affairs were set straight— 00:02:30.280 --> 00:02:32.280 —and their conditions were rectified. 00:02:32.280 --> 00:02:36.560 The fact that some of them admitted to a weakness in their intention does not mean— 00:02:36.560 --> 00:02:38.560 —that they were content with it— 00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:41.560 —rather, they were in a state of diligence, perseverance, and rectification of it— 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:44.560 —until they triumphed over the desires of the self— 00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:47.560 —and sincerity shone in their hearts. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:50.560 Otherwise, Al Dastawa'i and Al Dhahabi— 00:02:50.560 --> 00:02:51.560 —may Allah have mercy on them— 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:54.560 —are among the great imams of Islam— 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:57.560 —and among those whose legacies have benefited the people. 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:01.560 Perhaps this was a form of spiritual struggle— 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:03.560 —or a matter of humility. 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:05.560 And Allah is the Grantor of success.