In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The great scholar, Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhlee (may Allah have Mercy on him) said:

The Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) provided a comparison about the knowledge he came with: “The likeness of what Allah sent me with of guidance and knowledge is like abundant rain which falls upon the land. Some areas have pure soil which absorbs the water and produces grass and much vegetation. Other areas have hard surfaces which hold the water and provide benefit to people; they drink it, give some to their animals, and irrigate [their crops] with it. The rain also falls on other areas which are merely barren lands which do not hold any water nor produce any vegetation. This is the likeness of someone who has understanding in the religion of Allah and benefits from what Allah has sent me with, as he learns and teaches, compared to someone who does not raise his head to heed any of that, nor does he accept any of Allah’s guidance which I have been sent with.” [1]

So people are of different types as it relates to benefitting from [Islamic] knowledge:

One type is like the pure soil, his heart accepts this goodness, and so it produces yields like when the soil absorbs rain, producing vegetation and harvests. It provides people with food for their animals and food for themselves, of fruits and other harvests. Such soil benefits [itself] from that rain and also provides benefit to others. This is like the one who gains understanding by memorizing knowledge and learning how to understand it and derive rulings, beliefs, and principles from it. Such a person presents these matters to the people so they could [also] benefit from them.

Another category is people who memorize, yet they do not have that same level of understanding. This is like the areas of land that hold water [as reservoirs], for people to access water [for themselves and their flocks], irrigate with it, and take some of it with them on their way. This is similar to what he said, “Perhaps one who is taught something has more understanding than the one who [first] heard it (i.e., his teacher).” He gathers it and conveys it to someone else. The person he conveys it to might have better understanding than him, and so he can derive rulings and deduce other issues from it. The one who conveys it has his share of [the hadeeth]: “Convey [teachings] from me, even if it is just a single verse.” [2] He has [at least] conveyed it.

A third category is someone without any texts or any understanding. He does not memorize anything, nor does he understand anything. He pays no attention to knowledge. Quite regrettably, this one could be a disbeliever, or he could be an ignorant Muslim who gives no consideration to knowledge or religiosity. This is the third [category in this] parable.

The first one is the most virtuous. The second one is close to that. The third one is far removed from this goodness. Try to be one of the first two categories, the one likened to pure soil or the area of land which holds the water. This means that you memorize knowledge, grasp its meanings, convey it, and teach the people its meanings, or at least you memorize it and convey it to the people, saying, “Allah says [such-and-such]…” and, “The Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) said [such-and-such]…” You memorize the Quran and teach it to a group of people, helping them memorize the Quran. You memorize a number of narrations and convey them to the people. In doing so, you put forth some good, and you are without doubt deserving of praise, since you are among those who learned and taught.

Yet there are a variety of levels and ranks in knowledge and understanding. If you are not that person of fiqh who can derive and deduce rulings, principles, and foundations [from the texts], then at least be a person who memorizes. Perhaps someone else might help you understand. Transmit this good [knowledge] that you have with you to others. Work hard and roll up your sleeves [to get very serious] in the way of acquiring knowledge.

SOURCE: From a lecture delivered in Jeddah in 1426 entitled, When Allah Wants Good for Someone He Grants Him Fiqh (Understanding) in the Religion, as found in the book, Marhaban Yaa Taalib al-‘Ilm (pp.254-256), translated by Moosaa Richardson. (PDF with Arabic original)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Collected by al-Bukhaaree (79) and Muslim (2282), from the report of Aboo Moosaa, may Allah be pleased with him.

[2] Collected by al-Bukhaaree (3461), from the report of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Amr, may Allah be pleased with him and his father.