Dangers of Seeking knowledge for other than Allah(SWT)

[InToTheRain]

Greetings,

This kind of thinking confuses me.

Imagine a research scientist looking for a cure for cancer. Is that an example of seeking knowledge for the sake of Allah or not? Is it an example of seeking knowledge for worldly gain? Should the scientist go to hell according to the hadith or not?

Peace

Peace Cg,

If they were doing research to help people knowing that Allah is Pleased with one who helps others and seeking nearness to Him through this His pleasure then it would be for the sake of Allah Most High.

If he were to do research purely for fame and glory and to help the people not caring about Gods Pleasure then he would be rewarded for the good he has done in this life.

However I think whats confusing you most is the context. Seeking knowledge here is referring to religious knowledge (Qur'an and Hadith etc) which should be used for improving ones relation with Allah Most High and not worldly gains which completely goes against their intended use.


For example a person who uses Islam to make excuses to devide Muslims and kill innocents in order to gain political power or usurp the land of Muslims would fall into the category of those who seek knowledge for other then Allah Most High.

 

['abd al-hakeem]

[PIE]Abu Hurayrah (RA) said, the Messenger of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, "Whoever seeks knowledge (which should only be sought only for the sake of Allah (SWT)) but seeks it purely for some worldly gain, he will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection". It was reported by Abu Dawud and Ibn Maajah, by Ibn Hibban in his Saheeh and by Hakim who said, "It is saheeh according to the conditions of Bukhaari and Muslim".

Jaabir said, The Messenger of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)said, "Do not seek knowledge in order to compete with the knowledgeable, or to win arguments with the ignorant, or to show off in gatherings. Whoever does any of that will be in Hell." It was reported by Ibn Maajah (ra), by Ibn Hibban in his Saheeh and Bayhaqi.

Ibn 'Umar (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)said, "Whoever seeks knowledge for a reason other than for the sake of Allah (SWT), then let him take his place in Hell." It was reported by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maajah from Ibn 'Umar via Khaalid ibn Durayk who did not hear it directly from him; the men in their isnaads are thiqaah." (at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb by al-Mundhiri)[/PIE]

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