It is not [the expert knowledge of hadith and fiqh] you are seeking. Seeking knowledge is an obligation when a man comes to something concerning his religion (dīn): he is to ask about it until he knows it.
Al-Khatīb Al-Baghdādī, Al-Faqīh wa Al-Mutafaqqih article 162.
The believer mixes with others in order to learn, keeps quiet to keep safe (from sinning), speaks in order to understand, and secludes himself for the attainment (of good).
Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā, Al-‘Uzlah article 99.
One who acts without knowledge is like one who travels off the path; and the one who acts without knowledge corrupts more than he rectifies. So seek knowledge in a way that does not harm your worship, and seek to worship [Allāh] in a way that does not harm [your seeking of] knowledge. For verily, there were people (the Khawārij extremists) who sought to worship [Allāh] but abandoned knowledge until they attacked the Ummah of Muḥammad – Allāh’s praise and peace be upon him – with their swords. But if they had sought knowledge, it would not have directed them to do what they did. Quoted by Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr, Jāmi’ Bayān Al-‘Ilm wa Faḍlihi article 905.
Quoted by Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr, Jāmi’ Bayān Al-‘Ilm wa Faḍlihi article 905.
Those who strive and exert themselves (al-mujtahid) amongst you today are like those who used to play around amongst those before you. Wakī’ b. Al-Jarrāh, Al-Zuhd article 221.
Wakī’ b. Al-Jarrāh, Al-Zuhd article 221.
Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā` Vol.4 p105. It is reported that Abū Al-‘Āliyah said, “I learned writing and the Qur`ān without my family noticing, and not a drop of ink was ever seen on my garment.” Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyatu Al-Awliyā` Vol. 2 p217. It is reported that when Ibn Abī Laylā prayed [at night], if someone entered [his house], he would lie down on his bed [as if he was sleeping]. Ibid. Vol. 4 p351. It is reported that Ayyūb Al-Sakhtiyānī used to pray all night and hide it. In the morning, he would raise his voice as if he had just woken up. Al-Dhahabī, op. cit. Vol. 6 p17. It is reported that Dāwūd b. Abī Hind fasted for forty years without his family knowing, he would take his lunch out with him and donate it in the street. Ibid. Vol. 6 p378.
Ibid. Vol. 6 p378.
Ibn Ḥibbān Al-Bustī, Rawḍatu Al-‘Uqalā` wa Nuzhatu Al-Fuḍalā` Vol.1 p9.
Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-‘Ilm, article 723.
Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.4 p44.
Ibrāhīm b. Maysurah reports that Ṭāwūs said to him, “You better get married or I will say to you what ʿUmar b. Al-Khattāb said to Abū Al-Zawā`id: ‘Nothing but incapability or sinfulness is preventing you from getting married!’” Al-Dhahabī, Siyar A’lām Al-Nubalā`, in his biography of Ṭāwūs. Ṭāwūs b. Kaysān was a great scholar and ascetic. He was the most renowned scholar of Yemen during his time. He is regarded as one of the senior companions and students of Ibn ‘Abbās, and reports narrations from a number of other Companions.
Ṭāwūs b. Kaysān was a great scholar and ascetic. He was the most renowned scholar of Yemen during his time. He is regarded as one of the senior companions and students of Ibn ‘Abbās, and reports narrations from a number of other Companions.
Allāh chose from the months the month of Ramaḍān, from all the lands He chose Makkah, from the nights He chose Laylatu Al-Qadr (The Night of Decree), and chose the times for prayers; so a believer is always between two good deeds: one he has done and the other he is waiting to do. Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.2 p458.
Abū Nu’aym, Ḥilyah Al-Awliyā` Vol.2 p458.