There is no doubt that acquiring religious knowledge is no small task. Being away from parents, separated from home and relatives, despite all these sacrifices, this path is full of difficulties and troubles. But true success begins when a person attains maturity in knowledge. This stage is very important, so much so that if success is not achieved, all the hard work, sacrifices, and troubles go in vain.

Indeed, its reward in the afterlife is far greater than millions of properties in this world. If a person acquires religious knowledge and is also a scholar who acts upon it, then it is like icing on the cake. Allah Almighty has described its virtues in many hadiths and Quranic verses.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ

(Fatir: 28)

Only those of His servants who possess knowledge fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Almighty, Most Forgiving.

In this noble verse, Allah Almighty, while describing the status of a scholar, has also drawn attention to his important objectives.

Indeed, the person who is a religious scholar and is aware of the obedience to Allah and His Messenger, it is also his responsibility to take the reins of the Ummah into his hands and keep every decision and every matter based on obedience to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.

Allah Almighty says:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا

(Al-Nisa: 59)

O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.

Although there are many aspects of success and prosperity in acquiring religious knowledge, one of the most important aspects is that acquiring knowledge and acting upon it is a great success in this world and the hereafter. The scholars should try their best, work hard in their localities, use their intellect and wisdom, and practice enjoining good and forbidding evil, whether this service is through preaching or through pen and paper.

The most effective way to spread knowledge is for a person to first act upon his own knowledge and then encourage others to do so. This encouragement can be given through teaching, social media platforms, or community activities. It is very important to set a practical example and demonstrate high morals for the promotion of knowledge, so that people develop a passion for acquiring knowledge and promote awareness and progress in the society.

May Allah grant us the ability to act and grant us steadfastness in our knowledge. Amen.

✍🏻 From: Muhammad Rehan Zia-ul-Haq Afi Anhu

Servant of Teaching, Madrasa Riyaz-ul-Jannah, Dhulia (Maharashtra)

And Servant of the Quran, Majma Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him), for the circles of the Holy Quran remotely, in Madinah.