Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali Possessing scholarly knowledge of Islam brings you closer to your lord, Most Exalted. He is the Possessor of all knowledge and out of His Mercy, has granted some knowledge to His Creation so that they can learn about Him and love Him and Worship Him alone. Such sacred knowledge provides a direct route to whomever toils for it, to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him); and what an excellent inheritance it is. no honour could be greater and sublime than taking from the fountains of Prophets and Messengers. Abu Darda' (Allah be pleased with him) said, "Indeed I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) say: 'Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, then Allah makes easy a path for him towards Paradise.
The angels lower their wings approvingly for the seeker of knowledge. Indeed everything in the Heavens and on Earth seeks forgiveness for the scholar, even the fish in the sea. The virtue of the scholar over the worshipper is like the full moon over all the other planets. The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. The Prophets do not leave gold or silver to be inherited, rather they leave knowledge, so whoever takes from that has taken an abundant share." Muslim communities around the world are suffering from a general absence of traditional Islamic learning and scholarship. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Whomever Allah wishes well for, He gives deep understanding in religion." Thus overcoming chaotic curriculum in a confused world, we need to reconnect to the fundamentals of learning knowledge and revive our intellectual heritage for the purpose of wholly embracing Islam and seeking thereby, the pleasure of our lord and a hope of companionship with the Prophets in the Hereafter.
In this eighth instalment of the Ibn Rajab series, the illustrious Imam, may Allah have mercy upon him, penned a truly inspiring work highlighting the merits of knowledge, its types and the role it plays in transforming an individual. Indeed the cure for ignorance is to embark on a noble journey in search of knowledge, with its path leading to Paradise. This gripping classical masterpiece will remain a referral guide for everyone intent on joining the ranks of the elite of the Muslim Ummah
