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 Fa'i' Al Fathi.
May Allah preserve him.
The Impact of Sincerity on Knowledge.
The devout Ibrahim Ibn Adham, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
He who passed away in the year 162 AH.
"Whoever seeks knowledge sincerely, intending to benefit the servants of Allah and himself,
will find obscurity more beloved to him than seeking prominence."
Such a person increases in humility within himself,
in diligence in worship,
in fear of Allah and longing for Him,
and in humbleness toward people.
He does not concern himself with the worldly state in which he wakes or sleeps.
The virtue of sincerity in knowledge is such that its splendor can hardly be described, nor its sweetness fully grasped,
due to the humility, reverence, and love for obscurity it instills in the soul of its possessor.
It feeds him the delight of true faith,
and the gentle character,
which compels him to prefer safety,
and to fear the daunting responsibility of knowledge.
Therefore, he prefers obscurity over fame,
dignity over agitation,
and tranquility over argumentation and disputes.
He strives in his own deeds, acting with sincerity through an abundance of acts of worship,
which nurture and refine the soul,
and remove the arrogance and vanity of the self,
especially through private worship and the night prayer,
which works its effect upon the scholar,
and ignites the flame of sincerity,
making him stand in awe of the greatness of knowledge,
and the risks and burdens that Allah has entrusted within it.
Allah the Exalted said:
“And of men and beasts and cattle, in like manner, divers hues? The erudite among His bondmen fear Allah alone. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.” (35:28)
His fear of Allah remains constant,
his reverence is ever-present,
and his vigilance is profound,
as a result of the knowledge he carries,
the Qur'an he has memorized,
the trust he has been charged with,
or the legal rulings through which he might falter,
or in which he might fall short.
Yet, his longing for Allah is intense,
stemming from his deep faith,
his sincerity to his Lord,
his adherence to the guidance,
and his illumination by revelation.
When he appears among people, he is humble and gentle,
such that he does not act arrogantly toward them,
nor does he exalt himself through his knowledge,
or boast of his eloquence,
or speak harshly to them.
Rather, you find him affectionate and merciful,
a kind brother and companion.
He does not display his superiority over them,
as Allah has said:
“The (faithful) slaves of the Beneficent are they who walk upon the earth modestly, and when the foolish ones address them answer: Peace;” (25:63)
He is adorned by his sincerity to Allah,
which makes him ascetic toward the world,
for he is unconcerned with what he wakes or sleeps to,
or what he has gathered or lost of it.
The world is no longer his greatest concern,
nor the limit of his knowledge,
because he has conditioned his soul
toward complete sincerity,
humble truthfulness,
and submission to the law of Allah.
Whoever neglects sincerity,
and does not strive to attain it,
will miss the blessings of knowledge,
and its beautiful fruits.
And Allah is the Grantor of success.