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[2] Reminders From [Virtue of the Knowledge of the Salaf over the Knowledge of the Khalaf] -By Imaam Ibn Rajab [rahimahullaah]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Indeed, [we] have been told about a people who were given knowledge but their knowledge did not benefit them; for even though this [knowledge] is actually ‘Beneficial Knowledge’, however its possessor was not benefited by it. Allaah [The Most High] said:

[مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُواْ ٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمۡ يَحۡمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلۡحِمَارِ يَحۡمِلُ أَسۡفَارَۢا‌ۚ  – The likeness of those who were entrusted with the (obligation of the) Taurat (Torah) (i.e. to obey its commandments and to practise its legal laws), but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is as the likeness of a donkey who carries huge burdens of books (but understands nothing from them). [Surah Al-Jumu’ah Ayah 5]

Allaah [The Most High] said:

[وَٱتۡلُ عَلَيۡهِمۡ نَبَأَ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَيۡنَـٰهُ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فَٱنسَلَخَ مِنۡهَا فَأَتۡبَعَهُ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡغَاوِينَ  – And recite (O Muhammad ) to them the story of him to whom We gave Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), but he threw them away, so Shaitan (Satan) followed him up, and he became of those who went astray….up to the statement of Allaah: [وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَٮٰهُ‌ۚ   – and followed his own vain desire] [Surah Al-A’raaf Aayaat 175-176] [Ref 1]

And Allaah [The Most High] said:

[فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِمۡ خَلۡفٌ۬ وَرِثُواْ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ يَأۡخُذُونَ عَرَضَ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡأَدۡنَىٰ  – Then after them succeeded an (evil) generation, which inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the goods of this low life (evil pleasures of this world)…[up to the statement of Allaah]: وَدَرَسُواْ مَا فِيهِ‌ۗ And they have studied what is in it (the Book). [Surah Al-Araaf Aayaat 169-170]

[Source: Fadl Ilmis Salaf Alaa Ilmil Khalaf’ page43-44. Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

To be continued..InShaaAllaah


Ref 1: See more benefits by Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] here:

https://www.salaficentre.com/2017/03/part-1-one-likened-dog-abandoned-allaahs-aayaat-eager-dunyah/

https://www.salaficentre.com/2017/03/part-2-one-likened-dog-abandoned-allaahs-aayaat-eager-dunyah/

https://www.salaficentre.com/2017/03/part-3-one-likened-dog-abandoned-allaahs-aayaat-eager-dunyah/

knowledge, misguidance, scholars, softening the hearts