1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,500 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,500 --> 00:00:10,769 “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) 3 00:00:10,769 --> 00:00:16,769 The Splendor of Knowledge and Wisdom. 4 00:00:16,769 --> 00:00:21,769 By Dr. Hamzah Ibn Fa'i' Al Fathi. 5 00:00:21,769 --> 00:00:28,910 May Allah preserve him: The superiority of knowledge over worship. 6 00:00:28,910 --> 00:00:35,500 The scholar ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said— 7 00:00:35,500 --> 00:00:39,570 who passed away in the year 68 AH— 8 00:00:39,570 --> 00:00:42,820 "Studying knowledge for an hour during the night 9 00:00:42,820 --> 00:00:45,820 is better than spending the whole night in worship." 10 00:00:45,820 --> 00:00:49,939 There is no comparison between knowledge and worship, 11 00:00:49,939 --> 00:00:51,939 for knowledge is higher and more sublime. 12 00:00:51,939 --> 00:00:56,939 This is because its benefit is far-reaching and its radiance is magnificent, 13 00:00:56,939 --> 00:00:59,039 unlike worship, 14 00:00:59,039 --> 00:01:02,039 which is limited and exclusive to the one performing it. 15 00:01:02,039 --> 00:01:04,069 It is for this reason that the salaf favored it, 16 00:01:04,069 --> 00:01:09,069 such as Ibn ‘Abbas, Al-Shafi‘i, and others, as has been narrated. 17 00:01:09,069 --> 00:01:12,069 They preferred it over one who wavered between the two. 18 00:01:12,069 --> 00:01:16,069 The reason is that knowledge brings life to the heart and the intellect, 19 00:01:16,069 --> 00:01:18,069 and provides zakat for the soul and understanding, 20 00:01:18,069 --> 00:01:21,069 benefiting both the self and the creation, 21 00:01:21,069 --> 00:01:23,069 dispelling ignorance and folly, 22 00:01:23,069 --> 00:01:25,069 and removing harm and corruption. 23 00:01:25,069 --> 00:01:30,140 Worship, by contrast, may offer nothing beyond the reward and the expansion of the soul. 24 00:01:30,140 --> 00:01:33,260 Al-Qurtubi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 25 00:01:33,260 --> 00:01:36,359 "If there were anything more noble than knowledge, 26 00:01:36,359 --> 00:01:40,359 Allah the Almighty would have commanded His Prophet, peace be upon him, 27 00:01:40,359 --> 00:01:42,359 to ask Him for an increase in it, 28 00:01:42,359 --> 00:01:46,359 just as He commanded him to seek an increase in knowledge." 29 00:01:46,359 --> 00:01:49,680 Sometimes, a worshiper may underestimate knowledge and fiqh, 30 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:52,680 and thus fall into error and extremism, 31 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:55,680 practicing religion based on ignorance and innovation, 32 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:57,680 without even realizing it. 33 00:01:57,680 --> 00:02:01,680 He may remain in error for ages without being aware of it. 34 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:04,680 Therefore, it is said to the student of knowledge: 35 00:02:04,680 --> 00:02:07,680 "Learn before you practice religion." 36 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:09,680 Strive for knowledge that elevates you, 37 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,680 not for worship that lets you down. 38 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:15,680 An ignorant worshiper is shackled by Satan, 39 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:18,680 and is a target for humiliation and manipulation. 40 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:21,939 The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said, 41 00:02:21,939 --> 00:02:23,939 in what has been authentically narrated from him: 42 00:02:23,939 --> 00:02:26,939 "The superiority of the scholar over the worshiper 43 00:02:26,939 --> 00:02:28,939 is like my superiority over the lowest among you." 44 00:02:28,939 --> 00:02:31,509 There is no harm in staying up late occasionally, 45 00:02:31,509 --> 00:02:34,509 with moderation, in pursuit of knowledge, 46 00:02:34,509 --> 00:02:37,509 unless one fears missing the dawn prayer. 47 00:02:37,509 --> 00:02:40,509 It is not disliked for one who is diligent and benefits from it, 48 00:02:40,509 --> 00:02:43,509 provided he does not neglect a mandatory duty or obligation. 49 00:02:43,509 --> 00:02:46,509 Al-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: 50 00:02:46,509 --> 00:02:48,509 "The scholars have stated 51 00:02:48,509 --> 00:02:51,509 that the hadith which is disliked after the night prayer (Isha') 52 00:02:51,509 --> 00:02:54,509 is that which concerns matters containing no benefit. 53 00:02:54,509 --> 00:02:57,509 As for that which contains benefit and goodness, 54 00:02:57,509 --> 00:02:59,509 there is no dislike in it." 55 00:02:59,509 --> 00:03:02,509 This includes studying knowledge, 56 00:03:02,509 --> 00:03:04,509 narrating the stories of the righteous, 57 00:03:04,509 --> 00:03:06,509 conversing with a guest, 58 00:03:06,509 --> 00:03:08,509 or with a bride to put her at ease, 59 00:03:08,509 --> 00:03:11,509 or a man conversing with his wife and children 60 00:03:11,509 --> 00:03:13,509 for the sake of kindness and necessity, 61 00:03:13,509 --> 00:03:15,509 or conversing with travelers 62 00:03:15,509 --> 00:03:18,509 to ensure the safety of their belongings or themselves, 63 00:03:18,509 --> 00:03:21,509 or speaking to reconcile between people.