The Excellence Of The People Of Hadeeth
Aboo 'Abdillaah al-Haakim an-Naysabooree (d. 405H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"The companions of Hadeeth are the best of the people, and how can they not be when they have totally cast the worldly life behind their backs. They have made writing their nourishment, critical examination....
Aboo 'Abdillaah al-Haakim an-Naysabooree (d. 405H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"The companions of Hadeeth are the best of the people, and how can they not be when they have totally cast the worldly life behind their backs. They have made writing their nourishment, critical examination....
The Excellence Of The People Of Hadeeth
Aboo 'Abdillaah al-Haakim an-Naysabooree (d. 405H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"The companions of Hadeeth are the best of the people, and how can they not be when they have totally cast the worldly life behind their backs. They have made writing their nourishment, critical examination their nightly conversation companion, revision as their repose, al-Midaad (ink) as [a measure of] their steadfastness, staying awake as their sleep, lamplight as their (source of) warmth and small pebble stones as their pillows. So difficulties and hardships with the finding of Asaaneed al-'Aaliyah [i.e. short chains to the Prophet (ﷺ)] is comfort for them, and finding comfort with the loss of what they seek after is misery for them; so their minds overflow with the sweet taste of the Sunnah and their hearts are well content under all circumstances. Happiness for them is learning the Sunnah, joy for them are gatherings of knowledge, all of Ahlus-Sunnah are their brothers, and all the people of deviation (Ilhaad) and innovation (al-Bid'ah) are their enemies."
Reference: Ma'rifatu 'Uloomil-Hadeeth of al-Haakim an-Naysaabooree] (p.3).
Translation by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Aboo 'Abdillaah al-Haakim an-Naysabooree (d. 405H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"The companions of Hadeeth are the best of the people, and how can they not be when they have totally cast the worldly life behind their backs. They have made writing their nourishment, critical examination their nightly conversation companion, revision as their repose, al-Midaad (ink) as [a measure of] their steadfastness, staying awake as their sleep, lamplight as their (source of) warmth and small pebble stones as their pillows. So difficulties and hardships with the finding of Asaaneed al-'Aaliyah [i.e. short chains to the Prophet (ﷺ)] is comfort for them, and finding comfort with the loss of what they seek after is misery for them; so their minds overflow with the sweet taste of the Sunnah and their hearts are well content under all circumstances. Happiness for them is learning the Sunnah, joy for them are gatherings of knowledge, all of Ahlus-Sunnah are their brothers, and all the people of deviation (Ilhaad) and innovation (al-Bid'ah) are their enemies."
Reference: Ma'rifatu 'Uloomil-Hadeeth of al-Haakim an-Naysaabooree] (p.3).
Translation by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
The Four Stages Of Knowledge
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) - rahimahullaah - also said:
"It used to be said that the first part of knowledge is silence, and the second is listening to and memorising it, and the third is acting according to it and the forth is spreading and teaching it."
Reference: Al-Hilyah (6/362, 368), it comes as a statement of Aboo ‘Amr b. al-'Alaa b ‘Ammaar as is reported in Shadharaat adh-Dhahab (1/238) and as a statement of Muhammad b. an-Nadhar al-Haarithee in al-Hilyah (8/218).
Translation by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) - rahimahullaah - also said:
"It used to be said that the first part of knowledge is silence, and the second is listening to and memorising it, and the third is acting according to it and the forth is spreading and teaching it."
Reference: Al-Hilyah (6/362, 368), it comes as a statement of Aboo ‘Amr b. al-'Alaa b ‘Ammaar as is reported in Shadharaat adh-Dhahab (1/238) and as a statement of Muhammad b. an-Nadhar al-Haarithee in al-Hilyah (8/218).
Translation by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Humbleness Towards Your Teachers & Students
'Umar b. al-Khattaab (d. 23H) - radiallaahu 'anhu - said:
"Be humble towards the one who has taught you, and be humble towards those whom you teach."
Reference: Al-Aadab ash-Shar'iyyah (2/224).
Translation by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
'Umar b. al-Khattaab (d. 23H) - radiallaahu 'anhu - said:
"Be humble towards the one who has taught you, and be humble towards those whom you teach."
Reference: Al-Aadab ash-Shar'iyyah (2/224).
Translation by: Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Honour In Seeking Knowledge
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Woe to you! Seek knowledge, for indeed I fear that it may leave you and go to others besides you and so you will be humiliated. Seek knowledge, for indeed it is nobility - and honour - in this worldly life and nobility in the Hereafter."
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/368), Jaami' Bayaan al-'ilm (no.96).
Translation by: Aboo "Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Sufyaan ath-Thawree (d. 161H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"Woe to you! Seek knowledge, for indeed I fear that it may leave you and go to others besides you and so you will be humiliated. Seek knowledge, for indeed it is nobility - and honour - in this worldly life and nobility in the Hereafter."
Reference: Hilyatul-Awliyaa (6/368), Jaami' Bayaan al-'ilm (no.96).
Translation by: Aboo "Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
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With Knowledge Comes Honour
Eesaa b. Yunus (d. 187H) razhimahullaah said:
"Neither we nor the generation that came before us have seen the likes of al-A'mash. And I have not seen the rich or the leaders more humbled/debased in front of anyone as they were in front of al-A'mash; even with his poverty and need."
Reference: Tahdheebul-Kamaal (12/88), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (6/235), al-Ikmaal fee Asmaa ar-Rijaal (11/114), Hilyatul-Awliyaa (5/47-48).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Eesaa b. Yunus (d. 187H) razhimahullaah said:
"Neither we nor the generation that came before us have seen the likes of al-A'mash. And I have not seen the rich or the leaders more humbled/debased in front of anyone as they were in front of al-A'mash; even with his poverty and need."
Reference: Tahdheebul-Kamaal (12/88), Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa (6/235), al-Ikmaal fee Asmaa ar-Rijaal (11/114), Hilyatul-Awliyaa (5/47-48).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Worship Without Knowledge Leads To Destruction
Hasan al-Basree (d. 110H) rahimahullaah said:
"The one who acts without knowledge is like the person who travels without any path; the one who acts without knowledge corrupts more than what he rectifies. So, endeavour in seeking knowledge so long as it does not harm worship and endeavour in seeking after worship as long as it does not harm (seeking) knowledge. For indeed a people (i.e. the Khawaarij) sought worship and neglected knowledge until they went out (revolting) against the Ummah of Muhammad (ﷺ) with their swords. But had they sought knowledge then it would not have led them to what they fell into."
Reference: Miftaah Daar as-Sa'aadah (1/83), Mukhtasir Naseehah Ahlil-Hadeeth (no.155).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Hasan al-Basree (d. 110H) rahimahullaah said:
"The one who acts without knowledge is like the person who travels without any path; the one who acts without knowledge corrupts more than what he rectifies. So, endeavour in seeking knowledge so long as it does not harm worship and endeavour in seeking after worship as long as it does not harm (seeking) knowledge. For indeed a people (i.e. the Khawaarij) sought worship and neglected knowledge until they went out (revolting) against the Ummah of Muhammad (ﷺ) with their swords. But had they sought knowledge then it would not have led them to what they fell into."
Reference: Miftaah Daar as-Sa'aadah (1/83), Mukhtasir Naseehah Ahlil-Hadeeth (no.155).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Death Upon Islaam & The Sunnah
Aboo Bakr al-Marroodhee (d. 275H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"I said to Aboo Abdillaah: 'Whoever dies upon Islaam and the Sunnah has died upon good (Khair)’. So he said to me: ‘Silence! Rather whoever dies upon Islaam and the Sunnah has died upon all good.'"
Reference: Manaaqibul-Imaam Ahmad of Ibnul-Jawzee (no.180).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Aboo Bakr al-Marroodhee (d. 275H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"I said to Aboo Abdillaah: 'Whoever dies upon Islaam and the Sunnah has died upon good (Khair)’. So he said to me: ‘Silence! Rather whoever dies upon Islaam and the Sunnah has died upon all good.'"
Reference: Manaaqibul-Imaam Ahmad of Ibnul-Jawzee (no.180).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
The Excellence Of Seeking Hadeeth
Al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (d. 463H) rahimahullaah said:
"Seeking Hadeeth in this time is more virtuous than all the different types of optional worship due to it being the study of the Sunan (actions and statements of the Prophet) and its details, and (due to) the emergence of innovations and the predominance of its people."
Reference: Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.171).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (d. 463H) rahimahullaah said:
"Seeking Hadeeth in this time is more virtuous than all the different types of optional worship due to it being the study of the Sunan (actions and statements of the Prophet) and its details, and (due to) the emergence of innovations and the predominance of its people."
Reference: Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (no.171).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Etiquettes Of Seeking Hadeeth
Khaalid b. Safwaan at-Tamimee (d. 135H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"If you see a Muhaddith (Hadeeth Scholar) narrate a Hadeeth which you have already heard, or he relates a narration which you already know, then do not participate with him in narrating it, in the desire to inform those present, that you already know of it. For indeed that is degrading and disdainful, and bad manners."
Reference: Al-Jaami' li-Akhlaaq ar-Raawee at-Tahhaan's checking (no.353) & 'Ajaaj's checking (no.356).
Translation by Aboo Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Khaalid b. Safwaan at-Tamimee (d. 135H) - rahimahullaah - said:
"If you see a Muhaddith (Hadeeth Scholar) narrate a Hadeeth which you have already heard, or he relates a narration which you already know, then do not participate with him in narrating it, in the desire to inform those present, that you already know of it. For indeed that is degrading and disdainful, and bad manners."
Reference: Al-Jaami' li-Akhlaaq ar-Raawee at-Tahhaan's checking (no.353) & 'Ajaaj's checking (no.356).
Translation by Aboo Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Knowledge Is Praiseworthy When Sought for Action
Az-Zubayr b. 'Arabee rahimahullaah said:
"A man asked Ibn 'Umar (radiallaahu 'anhumaa) concerning touching the Black Stone, so he said: 'I saw the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) touching it and kissing it.' He said: 'So I said: What do you see if it becomes crowded and what if I am overcome (by people)?’ He replied: 'Leave this 'what do you see' in Yemen, I saw the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) touching it and kissing it.'"
Al-Bukhaaree (no.1533) & at-Tirmidhee (no.861).
Explanation:
Ibn Rajab (d. 795H) rahimahullaah said:
"The intent of Ibn 'Umar was that you should have no desire except to adhere and follow the Prophet (ﷺ). There is no need for hypothetical assumptions of inability or the difficulty of it before it even occurs, because it leads to weakening the resolve in observance of adhering and following [the texts]. So gaining insight and understanding in the religion, and asking questions about knowledge is only praiseworthy if it is sought for action and not for the sake of argumentation and disputation."
Jaami' ul-'Uloom wal-Hikam, explanation of Hadeeth (no.9).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.
Az-Zubayr b. 'Arabee rahimahullaah said:
"A man asked Ibn 'Umar (radiallaahu 'anhumaa) concerning touching the Black Stone, so he said: 'I saw the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) touching it and kissing it.' He said: 'So I said: What do you see if it becomes crowded and what if I am overcome (by people)?’ He replied: 'Leave this 'what do you see' in Yemen, I saw the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) touching it and kissing it.'"
Al-Bukhaaree (no.1533) & at-Tirmidhee (no.861).
Explanation:
Ibn Rajab (d. 795H) rahimahullaah said:
"The intent of Ibn 'Umar was that you should have no desire except to adhere and follow the Prophet (ﷺ). There is no need for hypothetical assumptions of inability or the difficulty of it before it even occurs, because it leads to weakening the resolve in observance of adhering and following [the texts]. So gaining insight and understanding in the religion, and asking questions about knowledge is only praiseworthy if it is sought for action and not for the sake of argumentation and disputation."
Jaami' ul-'Uloom wal-Hikam, explanation of Hadeeth (no.9).
Translation by Aboo 'Abdillaah Bilaal Hussain al-Kashmiree.