Part of Rawnaq Al-Ilm (series completed) · Lesson 18 of 50

The book of the elegance of knowledge among the wise | Episode (18) | Correcting scientific intent

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0:00 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

0:03 “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)

0:10 The Splendor of Knowledge according to the Sages.

0:16 By Dr. Hamza Ibn Fayi' Al Fathi.

0:21 May Allah preserve him.

0:27 Rectifying Academic Intent.

0:30 Hisham Al Dastawa'i, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

0:35 He who passed away in the year 154 AH.

0:39 "By Allah, I cannot say—"

0:42 "—that I ever went out one day—"

0:44 "—seeking hadith—"

0:46 "—intending by it the Face of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic."

0:50 The most difficult challenge for a student and seeker of knowledge—

0:54 —is refining his intention and directing it properly—

0:57 —so that his path remains sound—

1:00 —and his interactions remain wholesome—

1:02 —so that his efforts and journey are not corrupted for him.

1:06 Here, Hisham, may Allah have mercy on him, is being truthful with himself and with others—

1:11 —acknowledging that worldly inclinations compete with his intention and purpose.

1:16 Therefore, Imam Al Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, comments on the words of Al Dastawa'i, saying:

1:23 "By Allah, neither can I."

1:25 For the salaf used to seek knowledge for the sake of Allah—

1:28 —so they became noble and emerged as imams to be followed.

1:31 Others among them sought it initially for reasons other than Allah—

1:35 —and they acquired it—

1:37 —then they awakened and held themselves to account—

1:40 —so the knowledge drew them toward sincerity along the way.

1:44 As Mujahid and others said:

1:47 "We sought this knowledge—"

1:49 "—while we had no great intention in it—"

1:51 "—then Allah granted us the intention afterward."

1:54 And some of them say:

1:57 "We sought this knowledge for other than Allah—"

2:00 "—but it refused to be for anything but Allah."

2:03 This, too, is good.

2:05 Then they disseminated it with a righteous intention.

2:08 As for those who sought it with a corrupt intention—

2:11 —for the sake of the world—

2:13 —and to be praised—

2:15 —then they shall have what they intended.

2:17 These are the intentions of people regarding knowledge.

2:20 Al Dhahabi categorizes them—

2:22 —and clarifies the superiority of those who came before over those who came after—

2:25 —and that they were in a state of struggle and treatment—

2:28 —until their affairs were set straight—

2:30 —and their conditions were rectified.

2:32 The fact that some of them admitted to a weakness in their intention does not mean—

2:36 —that they were content with it—

2:38 —rather, they were in a state of diligence, perseverance, and rectification of it—

2:41 —until they triumphed over the desires of the self—

2:44 —and sincerity shone in their hearts.

2:47 Otherwise, Al Dastawa'i and Al Dhahabi—

2:50 —may Allah have mercy on them—

2:51 —are among the great imams of Islam—

2:54 —and among those whose legacies have benefited the people.

2:57 Perhaps this was a form of spiritual struggle—

3:01 —or a matter of humility.

3:03 And Allah is the Grantor of success.