Knowledge Is From The Ways To Achieve Happiness

 

 

Al-‘Allamah Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said,

“From the ways to achieve happiness is knowledge.”

 

The definite article in the word (knowledge) is referring to something particular, which is that well-known, renowned knowledge. And this is the beneficial knowledge that has been inherited from the (صل الله عليه وسلم) Messenger of Allah Verily, this brings happiness to the heart and expands it, until it is more expansive than the world itself, because the servant is upon knowledge in his religion and upon knowledge in his journey to Allah.

He is not unmethodical in his journey to Allah, in his worship of Him, his obedience to Him and in his dealings with his Muslim brothers and the non-Muslims.That is why he said,

“Until it is vaster than the world itself.”

 

This is because he knows how to live in this world, how to conduct himself with his Lord, how to deal with His allies and how to deal with Hist enemies. He knows everything that he is required to know. Knowledge That It Is Not Allowed For Any Muslim To Be Ignorant Of

 

Knowledge is of two types:

 

Essential knowledge which it is not allowed for any Muslim to be ignorant of. That is why when Shaykh al-Islām, the reviver, the rectifier commenced his call he authored a concise treatise for the people, which they would make the people memorize – even the common folk.

They would make them memorize this in the Masajid and they would make the children memorize it in the homes. The reason for this is because this treatise, which is called the ‘The Three Fundamental Principles’, comprises of essential knowledge, which no Muslim can be ignorant of.

¹ [TN] Shaykh al-Allamah Muhammad Aman al-Jami (may Allah have mercy upon him) was asked:

 

Question:

 

“A student of knowledge asks how should he seek knowledge, how should he study the books that he is studying and how should he stick to the scholars?”

 

Answer:

 

“In summary, the smaller students of knowledge in this era have unfortunately been preoccupied; they have been preoccupied with siyasah (politics) and they do not know the meaning of siyasah. On many occasions the students approach me at my chair when I get ready to leave, here, in Riyadh and in Kharj, and I expect them to ask me knowledge related questions and surprisingly they ask me concerning political incitement (against the ruler), groups and ideologies. They have become preoccupied.

Whoever desires to seek knowledge should totally turn away from all manifestations of political incitement and they should start by memorizing the smaller books. They should begin with the three fundamental principles andthey should pay no attention to the rabble rousers who say: “Until when will we say: ‘Know may Allah have mercy upon you?’ Will you say this until you die?”

When you die and you are in the grave you will be asked about that which you once used to mock: Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet? You ridiculed this when you were living and you will be asked about that which you ridiculed when you are in your grave. The first thing that you will be asked about, the first thing is that which is contained within the three fundamental principles.

Pay no attention to this detrimental political incitement and memorize this small booklet because it contains Tawḥīd, (legislated) rulings, the actualization of the statement of Tawhid, the nullifiers of Islam and the four principles. Memorize them like you memorize Fatihah. Then review it with the students of knowledge so that they can explain it for you so that you can understand (what you have memorized).

I am certain that a student of knowledge who has understood the three fundamental principles, if he was sent as a caller to a non-Arab country with the three fundamental principles he would be become like Ibn Taymiyah (i.e. in the eyes of the people). This is something that has been noticed. If you memorized this text and understood it and you spent some time amongst the Africans and Asians, if you explained to them the three fundamental principles then there you would be like Ibn Taymiyah(رحمه الله).

But all praise is due to Allah, their children in those places are now memorizing but they need someone to explain it to them. Therefore, do not allow them (i.e. the revolutionaries) and those who do not sincerely advise to cause you to waste this opportunity.

Memorize Kitab al-Tawhid, al-Bayquniyah and forty ḥadīth, memorize these books. But here you have been preoccupied whereas the Muslim children in Therefore, it is upon the students of knowledge and the rectifiers, who are spread throughout the world to rectify the situation and to nurture the people on the basics of knowledge, teaching them who is the Lord of the creation, their religion, their Prophet, the conditions of the prayer, the obligations of the prayer, the pillars of the prayer, the meaning of La Ilaha Illa Allah and the nullifiers of Islam.

The Level Of Happiness Depends Upon The Depth Of A Person’s Knowledge

Al-‘Allämah Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said,

“The greater the servant’s knowledge the happier and more vast his heart will be with joy.”

 

Explanation

 

If a person surpasses the essential knowledge and they continue to study and their knowledge increases about issues of creed, the Shari’ah and the rulings and regulations, then they will be happy and their chest will expand [with joy].

Al-‘Allamah Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said,

“However, this is not true for all types of knowledge.”

 

Explanation

 

This is because knowledge is understood in the Arabic language to mean understanding, and this encompasses all types of knowledge. However, the knowledge that is the topic of our discussion is not centered on all types of knowledge.

Rather, it is concerning the knowledge that is inherited from the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), knowledge through which you know Allah, know the religion of Allah and know the Messenger of Allah and knowledge through which you know the hereafter and ,(صلى الله عليه وسلم) how to prepare for it.

This does not mean that it is impermissible to learn other types of knowledge. No. Learn this type of knowledge first and then learn any knowledge that will benefit you in this life and the hereafter, as long as it is not detrimental.

It is possible that certain types of knowledge of the world carry a specific benefit or a temporary limited benefit, but this knowledge is beneficial and valuable, which no one, ever, can do without.

Al-‘Allamah Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said,

“Those who possess this knowledge are the happiest of the people.”

 

Explanation

 

The people of knowledge are “the happiest of the people, they possess the most joyous hearts, they have the best of character and they have the most pleasant lives.”

The Constant Remembrance Of Allah Is A Way To Attain Happiness

Al-‘Allamah Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said,

“From the ways to achieve happiness is the constant remembrance of Allah, at all times and in every situation. The remembrance of Allah has amazing effects on the happiness and the delight of the heart, whereas heedlessness has serious effects that result in the misery, constriction and torment of the heart.”

 

Explanation

 

This is simple and easy for the one whom Allah makes it easy for. You mention Allah with the sayings of remembrance specified for when you sleep, when you awake from sleep, when you enter your home, when you enter the Masjid and when you leave the Masjid.

The sayings of remembrance legislated for particular situations are numerous: you remember Allah with the legislated remembrance when boarding your ride, you remember Allah with Tahlil, Tasbiḥ and asking for forgiveness, and you remember Allah when you frequently send peace (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and blessings upon the Prophet

The best remembrance is the recitation of the Speech of Allah. This is the best form of remembrance except in certain cases where the Legislator has stipulated specific remembrance to occupy yourself with.

However, at all other times the best form of remembrance is reading the Qur’an, understanding it and contemplating upon it, and then endeavoring to act upon it and call to it.

In every situation the remembrance of Allah has an amazing effect upon happiness. Try it and constantly remember Allah  so that you can see the solace with Allah.

 

 

REFERENCE:

Book Name: “The keys to Happiness”

Author: Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim Zad al-Ma’ād Explanation by :Shaykh al-‘Allamah Muḥammad Aman al-Jami

Translated by: Hassan Somali