Shaykh Abdul Hameed Al Hajooree was asked,

Question:

“The questioner says I am a student of knowledge and have not ceased to love knowledge. If I intend to go seek knowledge, my father threatens me with the Dunya and that he will stop giving me money [so what do you advise me with]?”

Answer:

“If you fear from this threat and fear from losing this wealth which your father gives you or similar to that, then you are weak in your Eeman, weak in determination, and weak in ambitions for the knowledge which you attain is more valuable than the treasures of the Dunya. This is since it is that which the prophet peace and blessings be upon him left behind to be inherited, and that which he peace and blessings be upon him left behind is the greatest of that which can be inherited as comes in the narration,

‘Indeed the scholars are the heirs of the prophets, and the prophets do not leave behind Dinar or Dirham. The only legacy of the scholars is knowledge, so whoever takes from it, then he has indeed taken the most able share.’

Also oh my brother [it is mentioned in the Qur’aan],

‘Verily, Allah is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong.’ [51:58]

Not your father or so and so.

From the means of attaining provisions is devoting oneself to seek knowledge. Also, from the means to a pleasant life is devoting oneself to the obedience of Allah [as mentioned in the Qur’aan],

‘Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest’ [13:28]

It is permissible for you to go seek knowledge without his permission for As Suyooti relates in his book the ruling of the one who clings on to the earth. He relays more than eleven Imams’ verdicts on the permissibility of seeking recommended knowledge without the permission of his parents let alone knowledge which is obligatory upon an individual to learn. Whoever is pleased with that, then he is pleased and whoever is displeased with that, then let him be displeased.

Thus seek aid with Allah Aza Wa Jal and do not become weak. As it is said, ‘get on the ride before the train leaves you’. One’s life continues to pass and the days go by. The prophet peace and blessings be upon him said,

‘Be prompt in doing good deeds [before you are overtaken] by turbulence which would be like a part of the dark night. A man would be a believer in the morning and turn to disbelief in the evening, or he would be a believer in the evening and turn disbeliever in the morning, and would sell his faith for worldly goods.’

There is no safety from these trials except through seeking knowledge. For that reason, the people of knowledge say the one who travels to a land of disbelief, it is befitting that he has knowledge so that he will be able to guard by way of it from the different doubts. Also, that he should be a person of religion to guard by way of it from desires. Allah says reminding the prophet peace and blessings be upon him of his favours,

‘And taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you’ [4:113]

It is rare that you find a student of knowledge seeking knowledge while his father is the one who drives him to seek knowledge. The people differ in regards to this. From them are those who love knowledge while his father loves knowledge [too]. From them are those who love knowledge while his father hates it. And from them are those who’s father loves knowledge while he hates it.

It is upon us to fear Allah, and [by doing this] you will feel the greatness of this great bounty (i.e. seeking knowledge). By Allah, nothing is equal to it, not high positions, dollars, high status or having many businesses.

If you do not know the value of knowledge, then know that you do not know the value of the religion for knowledge is the religion. Knowledge of the book and the Sunnah is the religion of Islam which Allah sent upon Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him” End translation. [Religious verdicts of Shaykh Abdul Hameed from Sunday/28 of Safar/1441 Question number 3]

Translated by

Majid Jawed Al-Afghanee
Abu Aisha