In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
“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)
The Splendor of Knowledge and Wisdom.
By Dr. Hamzah Ibn Fayi' Al Fathi.
May Allah preserve him: Distancing oneself from the ways of the common folk.
The Hafiz Al Khatib Al Baghdadi said,
The author of *Al Tarikh* and *Al Jami'*, may Allah have mercy upon him,
Who passed away in the year 463 AH.
It is incumbent upon the student of knowledge
To distinguish himself in all his affairs from the ways of the common folk,
By employing the traditions of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, as much as he is able,
And by applying the Sunnah to his own self.
For Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, says:
“Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much.” (33:21)
The student of knowledge is among the elite whom Allah has singled out with knowledge,
And favored with various branches of understanding.
Therefore, his character is refined and his morals are elevated;
He does not resemble the common folk in appearance, ignorance, or coarseness.
He reveres knowledge and bears the hallmarks of its people,
Adopting their virtues,
And abandoning the ways, habits, and traits of the common folk.
The reason is that knowledge is a craft and a molding process,
An ordering and a refinement;
It purifies the soul and nurtures the body,
It shapes character and elevates the intellect.
Whoever is not transformed by knowledge, there is no good in him.
The Almighty says:
“Enjoin ye righteousness upon mankind while ye yourselves forget (to practise it)? And ye are readers of the Scripture! Have ye then no sense?” (2:44)
The first duty of this exclusivity
Is to apply the Prophetic traditions to one's own self and embody them,
To carry them everywhere,
And to take pride in them.
It is to hasten toward his Sunnah in practice, reverence, and implementation.
Whenever one is guided to a new Sunnah or a virtuous trait,
One should hasten toward it and be swift in complying with it.
For knowledge consists of Sunnahs and transmitted traditions,
And of devotion and practical application.
And Allah says:
“Verily in the messenger of Allah ye have a good example for him who looketh unto Allah and the Last Day, and remembereth Allah much.” (33:21)
No one will enter Paradise except through the gateway of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
The Almighty says:
“Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (3:31)
“Say, (O Muhammad, to mankind): If ye love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.” (3:31)
This signifies excellence in deeds and sincerity in following,
Revering the religious laws and loving the Sunnahs,
And hastening toward good deeds.
Peace.