WOMEN MUST SEEK KNOWLEDGE

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEEKING KNOWLEDGE FOR WOMEN

And the statement of the Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم: ‘Women are the twin halves of men.’

Section: The obligation of seeking knowledge.

(Qur’an, Ta-Ha 20:114):“And say: My Lord increase me in knowledge.”

(Qur’an, Muhammad 47:19): ‘So know that there is no god save Allah, ask forgiveness for your sins and for the believing men and the believing women. Allah knows well your moving and your place of rest.’

On the authority of Anas Ibn Malik the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim.

Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab At Tamimi said:

Know, may Allah have mercy upon you that it is compulsory upon every Muslim to know these four issues.

1. العلم Al ‘Ilm: “Firstly, the Knowledge.”

2. العمل به Al ‘Amalu Bihi: “and the actions (working) by it.”

3. الدعوة إليه Ad Da’watu Ilaihi: “Calling to it.”

4. الصبرعلى الأذى فيه As Sabru ‘Alaal Adhaa Feehi: “and to have patience with the hardships that come along that path (in the way of da’wah)."

THE VIRTUES OF SEEKING KNOWLEDGE

(Qur’an, Al-’Imran 3:18): ‘There is no one worthy of worship but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels and those endowed with knowledge, Standing firm in Justice (or maintaining His Creation in Justice). There is no god but He, the Exalted in power, the Wise.’

(Qur’an, Al Zumar 39:9): ‘Are those who have knowledge the same as those who don’t have knowledge’.

(Qur’an, Al-Mujadilah 58:11):’Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks and (degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is well-acquainted with all you do.’

(Qur’an, Fatir 35:28):“It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah.”

Meaning: Those who have knowledge of the Book and the Sunnah and act upon this seeking the face of Allah.

It is reported in Saheeh Al Bukhari on the Authority of Mu’aawyah that he heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم say: ‘Whomsoever Allah wants good for he makes him understand the religion …’.

And narrated in Saheeh Muslim on the Authority of Abi Hurairah, the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: ‘Whomsoever proceeds upon the road to seek knowledge Allah will make it easy upon him the road to enter Jannah.’

And Tirmidhi narrated in the Authority of Abi ‘Umamah that the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: ‘The preference of a scholar over a worshipper is like the preference of myself over all of you.’

It is clear from these verses of the Qur’an and these Ahadeeth of the Messenger صلى الله عليه و سلم that a woman does not become one preferred by Allah because she has beauty, wealth or status. Rather, the sign that Allah prefers her over others is the understanding and implementation of the religion of Islam. And knowledge of Islam is that which cleanses the heart, makes a person thread upon the road of guidance, raises the person in levels and has the person die upon a state which Allah is pleased with. However, ignorance of the religion with all the beauty, wealth and status one craves and desires, only leads to a road of destruction where one walks upon darkness until one dies in a state that Allah is displeased with. For how many women are amazed with their wealth, status and beauty yet these things do not quench their thirst for happiness and contentment?