Central Khutbah: “Sincere Knowledge Is the Greatest Value”

There is no good whose foundation and source is not knowledge, nor any evil whose source is not ignorance. Allah has made knowledge the highest dignity and the very first blessing granted to humankind after their creation, when He brought them out of the darkness of non-existence into the light of existence.

In the very first verses of the final Revelation, the Exalted ordered His Messenger — sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam: “Read, in the name of your Lord who created — created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, who taught man what he did not know.” (Al-‘Alaq, 1–5)
Notice that Allah — glorified is He — began His first revelation to Muhammad — sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam — by mentioning first the blessing of creation, and then the blessing of knowledge.

Commenting on these verses, Fakhr al-Dîn al-Râzî wrote in Mafâtîh al-Ghayb: “The Exalted mentioned the first stage of man — the state of a clinging clot — even though it is the simplest and humblest state; then He mentioned his ultimate state, the peak of distinction. This is only possible if knowledge is the most noble and greatest blessing; for if anything else were nobler, it would have been more appropriate to mention it here.” (Mafâtîh al-Ghayb)

It is rare to find a chapter of the Qur’an that does not deal, directly or indirectly, with knowledge. And in the Qur’an, Allah commands His Prophet to ask for an increase in only one thing: “My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Tâ-Hâ, 114)

The Messenger of Allah — sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam — followed this Qur’anic emphasis and said:
“Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah makes easy for him a path to Paradise. The angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge, pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth seek forgiveness for him, even the fish in the water. The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over the stars. The scholars are the heirs of the prophets. The prophets did not leave behind dinars or dirhams, but knowledge; and whoever takes hold of it has taken a great share.” (Abû Dâwûd and al-Tirmidhî)

Today, Muslims have no need more urgent than knowledge and learning — first of their religion, and then of all beneficial sciences — and to act in accordance with this knowledge.
“We have revealed to you the Book as a clarification of all things, and as guidance, mercy, and glad tidings for the believers.” (An-Nahl, 89)

It is reported from Mu‘âdh ibn Jabal — may Allah be pleased with him: “Learn knowledge: learning it is piety; seeking it is worship; studying it is glorification; researching it is striving in Allah’s cause; teaching it to others is charity. Knowledge is a companion and a friend in solitude; it is the life of the heart, the light of the eyes, the strength by which one attains the favor of rulers and reaches high ranks in this world and the Hereafter.” (reported from Mu‘âdh ibn Jabal)

Imâm Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: “People are in greater need of religious knowledge than of food and drink: one needs food and drink a few times a day; but knowledge at every breath.” (reported from Ahmad ibn Hanbal)

It is reported that the Umayyad caliph ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwân said to his sons: “Acquire knowledge: if you are rich, it will perfect your life; if you are poor, it will be your best capital.” (reported)

“It is religion — whoever learns it becomes a guide”

Because of the high rank of knowledge, Islam commands honoring scholars, the guides of the community. It is reported that al-Zuhrî once met Caliph ‘Abd al-Malik. Asked about “the leading scholars” of Makkah, Yemen, Egypt, al-Shâm and Basra, he mentioned ‘Atâ’ ibn Abî Rabâh, Tâwûs ibn Kaysân, Yazîd ibn Abî Habîb, Hasan al-Basrî — most of whom were not Arabs. The caliph sighed: “How is it that the leaders of the great Islamic centers are freed slaves, not Arabs?” Al-Zuhrî replied: “O Commander of the Believers, it is religion: whoever learns it becomes a guide.” (reported)

In Islam, responsibilities are given to those who combine competence and integrity, regardless of who they are. Recall the words of Yûsuf — ‘alayhi s-salâm: “Entrust me with the storehouses of the land; indeed, I am a knowing and trustworthy guardian.” (Yûsuf, 55)

It is reported from ‘Uthmân — may Allah be pleased with him: “On the Day of Judgment the prophets, the scholars, and the martyrs will intercede.” (reported)

And ‘Umar — may Allah be pleased with him — said: “The death of a thousand worshippers is lighter than the death of a single scholar!” (Musnad al-Hârith; Zawâ’id al-Haythamî)

The Messenger of Allah — sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam — warned: “Allah does not remove knowledge by snatching it away from the hearts of the people; rather He removes it by taking away the scholars. When there are no scholars left, people will take ignorant leaders; they will give rulings without knowledge, go astray and lead others astray.” (al-Bukhârî and Muslim)

Why do we learn?

All of this calls us to continuous learning: as long as we learn, knowledge remains; when we abandon it, it disappears — and this is one of the signs of the Last Day. But we must always ask ourselves: why do we learn?

Islam does not ask us to learn for a diploma, prestige, or popularity, but for Allah — just as Revelation began: “Read — in the name of your Lord!” (Al-‘Alaq, 1)

Imâm Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: “Nothing equals knowledge — if the intention is right.” He was asked: “What is the proper intention in acquiring knowledge?” He replied: “To remove ignorance from oneself and from others.” (reported from Ahmad ibn Hanbal)

Knowledge is a responsibility: everyone will be questioned about what they did with their knowledge. Hasan al-Basrî said: “The true scholar is the one who fears Allah in private and refrains from what displeases Him,” then recited: “Only those of His servants who have knowledge truly fear Allah.” (Fâtir, 28)

Al-Dârimî reports from ‘Alî — may Allah be pleased with him: “O people of knowledge, act upon what you know; the scholar is the one whose deeds are in harmony with his knowledge. There will come people whose knowledge will not go beyond their throats; their hidden deeds will contradict their outward actions; they will boast of knowledge in gatherings and become angry if others sit with a different teacher; the deeds that arise from such gatherings will not rise to Allah.” (al-Dârimî, al-Musnad)

In al-Adab al-Mufrad, Imâm al-Bukhârî reports from ‘Abd Allah ibn Mas‘ûd: “You live in a time when jurists (true scholars) are many and speakers are few; when those who ask are few and those who give are many; when deeds are preferred over desires. But a time will come when jurists are few and speakers are many; when those who ask are many and those who give are few; when desire will prevail over good deeds.” (al-Bukhârî, al-Adab al-Mufrad)

This is why we must constantly read and live by the Book of Allah, so as not to resemble those upon whom Scripture was imposed but who did not live by it: “The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then failed to uphold it is like that of a donkey carrying books…” (Al-Jumu‘ah, 5)

(Central khutbah by the religious leader Hafiz Hilmija Redžić on September 19, 2025, at the “Centre Islamique et Culturel Berat” in Esch-sur-Alzette)