Student of knowledge and his duties

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

assalamwaleykum wa rehmatullahi wa barkatu .., Its very important for a student of knowledge to gain knowledge and impart it to others.. Allah swt has said in quran that the person who goes ahead to get knowledge allah swt will remove all problems in his way and lift his grade in this world and hereafter.. i have two questions to ask you .. Does knowledge relates to the aspect of Islamic knowledge or the knowledge which get through studies like management or etc but with an intention to help other through it.. the other question is my friends come up to me for help for and only during times of exams just because i help them i expect nothing in return from them and i know allah will reward me for this inshallah one day or the other.. i want to know should i stop talking to them? or should i continue helping them cause at times. i dont get and understand what should i do ? on the other hand its narrated in hadith a Muslim who doesn't talks to his brother for certain period of time his namaz are not accepted neither his records are presented by angels to allah on Mondays and Fridays .. jazakallah khair.

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Answer:

Student of knowledge and his duties

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

In general terms,  ‘ilm’ or knowledge can be divided into two parts:

Knowledge of the deen

Knowledge of the world (duniya).

Ref:  Knowledge of the deen

Knowledge of the deen can be further divided into two parts:

a. Basic Knowledge of the deen

The basic knowledge of the deen is the ‘ilm’ that is absolutely obligatory on every human being.   Basic knowledge would be the recognition of one’s Creator through His Attributes, the Oneness of the Creator,  the acceptance of His Prophets, the purpose of one’s creation, the obligatory duties of a believer,  the concept of the Hereafter, and the basic knowledge of the Divine Message, etc.   To learn the basic knowledge of the deen,  one need not attend fancy classes,  schools,  or universities;  but what is rather needed is the earnest search for the Truth and one’s true application of one’s common sense and intelligence devoid of any bias or prejudice.

b. Detailed Knowledge of the deen

The detailed knowledge of the deen is voluntary.  This would mean the intricacies and legalities of the Islamic Law or Jurisprudence,  the detailed study and learning of the Quran and Ahaadiths,  the Fiqh,  the detailed study of the Seerah,  etc.

Ref:  Knowledge of the duniya (worldly knowledge)

The worldly knowledge is indeed obligatory and is known as ‘fard-kifaayaa’ in Shariah.    If no muslim strives to gain worldly knowledge,  then the whole muslim community will be in sin;  but if some muslims strive and attain this knowledge,  then it would suffice for the whole community.   This knowledge is not obligatory for every believer,  if some believers attain this knowledge,  it would suffice.   The worldly knowledge can be the study of sciences,  medicine, engineering,  modern technology,  finance, etc.

The Glorious Quran is full of Aayahs,  whereby Allah Subhanah guides mankind to use their intelligence and basic common sense to determine, recognize,  and accept the Truth.    The importance of the gaining of this basic knowledge of the deen can be determined by the number of times the term ‘ilm’ (and all its manifestations) are mentioned in the Quran.   The only term that is mentioned more times in the Glorious Quran than the term ‘ilm’,  is the blessed name of Allah Subhanah!

Now to answer your specific question:

The reward for imparting knowledge to others is only when one strives to make Allah's swt word supreme over all. Therefore if one imparts Quranic/Islamic knowledge, then definitely he will earn ajr from his Lord Creator. If for any reason one willfully/intentionally does not pass on Islamic knowledge he will be severely accountable in the just court of his Majestic Lord.

If you help your classmates in their studies etc., it will only increase your friendship and maybe help in your own revision of the subjects. You are at liberty to help or not to help as there will not be any sin if you don't.

You can talk to your classmates without helping them in their studies. The two have no relevance with each other. It does not behove of a believer not to talk politely with his mates at all times.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

 

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