WHY LEARN KNOWLEDGE? Ibn Qutayba (d. 276 A.H.) -Rahimahullaah | Dr Zakir Naik

WHY LEARN KNOWLEDGE?

Ibn Qutayba (d. 276 A.H.) -Rahimahullaah-
describing why the Salaf used to seek knowledge,
he said:
كَانَ طَالِبُ الْعِلْمِ فِيمَا مَضَى
يَسْمَعُ لِيَعْلَمُ,
وَيَعْلَمُ لِيَعْمَلُ,
وَيَتَفَقَّهُ فِي دَيْنِ اللهِ لِيَنْتَفِعُ وَيَنْفَعُ,
وَقَدْ صَارَ الْآنَ:
يَسْمَعُ لِيَجْمَعُ,
وَيَجْمَعُ لِيُذْكَرُ,
وَيَحْفَظُ لِيَغْلِبُ وَيَفْخَرُ
‘A student in the past used to listen to learn and know to do good deeds and understand the Deen of Allaah so he could benefit himself and benefit others.

Now it has become: he listens to gather knowledge, he gathers knowledge so he can be mentioned amongst people, he memorizes so he can win an argument and can be proud.’

[Ikhtilaaf al-Laafth p.18]