Four Types of People

Hadith - At-Tirmidhi 5287, Narrated Abu Kabshah al-Anmari
The world has only four types of people:

1. A man whom Allah provides with property and knowledge, in which he fears his Lord and joins ties of relationship, acting in it towards Allah as is due to Him, this man being in the most excellent station.

2. A man whom Allah provides with knowledge but not with property, who says with a sincere intention that if he had property he would act as so and so does, their reward being equal.

3. A man whom Allah provides with property but not with knowledge, in which he acts in a random manner ignorantly, not fearing his Lord respecting it, or using it to join ties of relationship, or dealing with it in a right way, this man being in the worst station.

4. A man whom Allah provides with neither property nor knowledge, who says that if he had property he would deal with it as so and so does and has this intention, the load they have to bear being equal."

Unacceptable Reasons to Gain Knowledge

Hadith - Reported by Ibn Maajah (254) and others. This hadeeth has a witness from the hadeeth of Ka'b bin Malik reported by at-Tirmidhee (2654) and others and also from the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah reported by Ahmad (2/338) and others.

From Jaabir (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who said that Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'aliahi wa'sallam) said: Do not acquire knowledge in order to compete with the scholars, nor to argue with the ignorant, nor to gain mastery over the gatherings. Since whoever does that, then: The Fire! The Fire!

Dawah Without Knowledge

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih Al‘Uthaymeen

Question: O noble Shaykh, Which is better: To spend ones time in giving da’wah (call to Allaah), or to spend it on gaining knowledge?

Answer: To gain knowledge is better and takes precedence [over giving da’wah]. And it is possible for the student of knowledge to give da’wah while he is gaining knowledge. And there is no way that one could give da’wah without knowledge; Allaah ta’aala said : { Say (O Muhammad): “This is my way, I invite to Allaah with sure knowledge.”} [Yousuf: 108]. So how could there be Da’wah without knowledge?! And no one has ever given Da’wah (before) without knowledge, never, and whoever gives Da’wah without knowledge will not be successful.

Kitaabul ‘Ilm: P.145. Translated by: Abu ‘Abdul Waahid, Nadir Ahmad

Action Items for the uttaqun:

• You must be of sure knowledge before teaching anything from Islam to another person. This means that you confirm your knowledge with scholars and are aware of the daleel (evidence) before spreading what you know.

• Purify your niyyah (intentions).

Remember... Allah, subhana watala, sees everything we do!