Pursuit of Knowledge

1. Pursuit of Knowledge Mohammad ShayanHemani

2. Introduction • “Seek knowledge from the cradle till the grave.” • Forty Hadith Chapter 26: “One who proceeds on a path in the pursuit of knowledge, God makes him proceed therewith on a path to the Garden (Paradise). And, verily, the angels spread their wings for the seekers of knowledge out of delight. Verily, every creature of the heaven and the earth asks forgiveness for the seeker of knowledge, even the fish in the sea. The merit of the `alim (the learned) over the 'abid (the devout) is like the merit of the moon over the stars on a full-moon night. The learned are the heirs of the prophets, for the prophets did not leave behind a legacy of wealth but that of knowledge. So whoever partakes of it derives a plenteous benefit.” – Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.)

3. The Path of Knowledge and the Way to Paradise • “Acquisition of knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim” – Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) • "Islam's comprehensiveness and finality as a religion demands that every field of knowledge that is beneficial for an Islamic society be regarded as a part and parcel of the 'religious sciences'.” – ShaheedMutahhari (r.a.) • “The knowledge which remains on your tongue is very superficial, the intrinsic value of knowledge is that you act upon it.” – Imam Ali (a.s.)

4. Angels Spreading their Wing for the Seekers of Knowledge • “I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) say: ‘Verily, the angels spread out their wings for the seeker of knowledge out of their delight for him, so that he walks over them.’” – HazratMiqdad (a.s.) Inhabitants of Heavens and Earth Asking Forgiveness for the Seekers of Knowledge • “Knowledge in its entirety is power in its entirety.”

5. The Alim’s Superiority Over the Abid • “The ink of the learned will be weighed with the blood of the martyrs on the Resurrection Day; and then, the ink of the learned would be preferred to the blood of the martyrs.” – Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) • “Knowledge is better than Wealth.” – Imam Ali (a.s.) • "Knowledge is a light that God casts into the heart of anyone that He wishes." The Ulema being the Heir of the Prophet • “Are those who know and those who don’t equal.” Quran 39:9

6. Conclusion • “He who learns knowledge for other than God, and his aim be other than God, will abide in fire (hell).” • “One whose knowledge increases but his salvation does not keep pace with it, his remoteness from God increases.” • “Any knowledge not helping man on his way to Allah is similar to the load of books carried on the back of a donkey.”

7. Dua • Oh God, Oh God, until the revolution of Mehdi • Of the government of Khomeini • Protect Khomeini's Government • With your kindness, keep Khamenei the leader • Give the fighters of Islam victory • Make us destined to see the face of Mahdi) • Make us go to Karbala - allow it in our destiny. • Please accept our prayer, Lord of the Worlds. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad. O Allah, be, for Your representative, the Hujjat (proof), son of Al­Hasan, Your blessings be on him and his forefathers, in this hour and in every hour, a guardian, a protector, a leader, a helper, a proof, and an eye. until You make him live on the earth, in obedience (to You), and cause him to live in it for a long time.

8. Sources • Forty Hadith • Quran • NahjulBalagha • Rays of the Sun • The Model of the Gnostics • http://www.al-islam.org/nutshell/merits_soul/ • http://www.ezsoftech.com/Akram/knowledge.asp