41/6. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2655 — Knowledge for Allah Alone
About One Who Seeks The World With His Knowledge
Hadith About Learning Knowledge for Allah
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2655
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2655
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ نَصْرِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ الْهُنَائِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ السِّخْتِيَانِيِّ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ دُرَيْكٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ عِلْمًا لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ أَوْ أَرَادَ بِهِ غَيْرَ اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ " . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ مِنْ حَدِيثِ أَيُّوبَ إِلاَّ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) Said: "Whoever Learns Knowledge For Other Than (The Sake Of) Allah, Or Intends By It Other Than Allah, Then Let Him Take His Seat In The Fire."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2655In-book reference : Book 41, Hadith 11English translation : Vol. 5, Book 39, Hadith 2655
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2655
This hadith about learning knowledge for Allah focuses on sincerity. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that whoever learns knowledge for other than Allah, or intends by it other than Allah, should take his seat in the Fire. The wording is direct because sacred knowledge should not be turned into a tool for selfish goals. Learning religion should bring a person closer to Allah, not make him chase praise, power, or attention. The hadith also teaches that intention is not a side issue in learning. It is part of the act itself. A student of knowledge should renew the intention often and ask Allah to make learning sincere.
What we learn from this hadith
- Religious knowledge should be learned for Allah.
- Wrong intention in learning is strongly warned against.
- A learner should not seek sacred knowledge for selfish aims.
- Sincerity should be checked and renewed during study.
