WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.459 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.459 --> 00:00:10.000 “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 --> 00:00:23.440 May Allah preserve him. 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:32.159 The Perpetuity of Learning. 00:00:32.359 --> 00:00:37.359 The Imam and exegete Sa'id Ibn Jubayr, may Allah the Exalted have mercy upon him, said: 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:41.399 Who passed away in the year 95 AH: 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:44.399 "A man remains knowledgeable as long as he continues to learn. 00:00:44.399 --> 00:00:46.399 But if he abandons learning, 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:50.399 and assumes that he has become self-sufficient and content with what he possesses, 00:00:50.399 --> 00:00:54.390 then he is at his most ignorant." 00:00:54.390 --> 00:00:57.390 Knowledge is a sustainable process, 00:00:57.390 --> 00:00:59.390 a continuous effort, 00:00:59.390 --> 00:01:01.390 and a lifelong immersion; 00:01:01.590 --> 00:01:04.590 it has no limit in time, stage, 00:01:04.590 --> 00:01:06.590 degree, or position. 00:01:06.590 --> 00:01:08.590 The reason for this 00:01:08.590 --> 00:01:10.590 is its vastness and the immensity of its ocean, 00:01:10.590 --> 00:01:12.590 and that it cannot be fully encompassed, 00:01:12.590 --> 00:01:15.590 nor can all its chapters be attained. 00:01:15.590 --> 00:01:18.590 Therefore, the wise person continues to draw from it, 00:01:18.590 --> 00:01:20.590 sipping its pure waters, 00:01:20.590 --> 00:01:22.590 gathering its springs, 00:01:22.590 --> 00:01:25.590 and finding delight in its collection and acquisition. 00:01:25.590 --> 00:01:27.590 Whoever believes they have reached sufficiency 00:01:27.590 --> 00:01:30.590 will find themselves bound by the shackles of ignorance, 00:01:30.790 --> 00:01:33.790 which will surround them from every side. 00:01:33.790 --> 00:01:35.790 And whoever signals that they are self-sufficient 00:01:35.790 --> 00:01:37.790 is counted among the ignorant, 00:01:37.790 --> 00:01:40.790 just as Sa'id said here, may Allah have mercy upon him. 00:01:40.790 --> 00:01:43.790 A similar sentiment is reported from Ibn Al Mubarak: 00:01:43.790 --> 00:01:45.790 "And if he is content with what he has, 00:01:45.790 --> 00:01:47.790 he is at his most ignorant." 00:01:47.790 --> 00:01:51.109 This is because the one who claims sufficiency and self-reliance 00:01:51.109 --> 00:01:53.109 has blocked the door to learning. 00:01:53.109 --> 00:01:55.109 He claims understanding and fluency, 00:01:55.109 --> 00:01:58.109 believing that what he gathered at the beginning, 00:01:58.109 --> 00:02:00.109 or during his university stage, 00:02:00.310 --> 00:02:02.310 or in that high position he holds, 00:02:02.310 --> 00:02:06.310 is sufficient for providing benefit, answering questions, and issuing fatwas. 00:02:06.310 --> 00:02:07.310 Nay, not so. 00:02:07.310 --> 00:02:09.310 We must continue to learn, 00:02:09.310 --> 00:02:11.310 we shall continue to read, 00:02:11.310 --> 00:02:14.310 and we shall remain lovers of knowledge and benefits, 00:02:14.310 --> 00:02:17.310 from whichever door they may come and be obtained. 00:02:17.310 --> 00:02:20.599 Self-sufficiency may lead to arrogance, 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:23.599 and the wearing of a haughty disdain for knowledge, 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:26.599 and for drawing inspiration from lessons and benefits, 00:02:26.599 --> 00:02:29.599 which results in the rejection of truth, 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:31.800 the denial of sources, 00:02:31.800 --> 00:02:33.800 the refusal of proofs, 00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:35.800 and the belittling of those who provide benefit. 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:37.800 This is because he has closed the door, 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:39.800 fastened its lock securely, 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:43.800 and summoned his cavalry and infantry and his army, 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:45.800 such that no window remains for a solution, 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:47.800 no door for mutual understanding, 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:50.800 and no channel for enlightenment. 00:02:50.800 --> 00:02:52.800 And Allah is the One whose help is sought. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:55.310 The fact that scholars continue to learn, 00:02:55.310 --> 00:02:57.310 and that sheikhs ask those who are younger than them, 00:02:57.310 --> 00:02:59.310 despite their high standing, 00:02:59.509 --> 00:03:03.509 is a testament to their humility and their love for knowledge. 00:03:03.509 --> 00:03:06.509 I recall some of our sheikhs consulting me 00:03:06.509 --> 00:03:08.509 at the university 00:03:08.509 --> 00:03:10.509 regarding issues of hadith and authorship 00:03:10.509 --> 00:03:12.509 after we had graduated. 00:03:12.509 --> 00:03:15.509 They thought well of this poor servant, 00:03:15.509 --> 00:03:17.509 and I answered according to what I understood, 00:03:17.509 --> 00:03:20.509 but it taught me a lesson 00:03:20.509 --> 00:03:22.509 in humility, good companionship, 00:03:22.509 --> 00:03:25.509 and continuous scholarly discourse. 00:03:25.509 --> 00:03:27.509 So I followed their path, 00:03:27.710 --> 00:03:29.710 and followed those who walked it. 00:03:29.710 --> 00:03:31.710 To Allah belongs all praise and grace.