Thursday, March 15, 2012
Knowledge is the Imaam of actions
by
Ibn Qayyim (Rahimahullah)
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (RA) said:
“The salaf did not generalize the word “fiqh” except on knowledge which is associated with action.” He further added: “al-’ilm imaamul-'amaal (Knowledge is the Imaam of actions) and its leader, and al-’amal is adherent to knowledge and is led by it. Every action, which is not led by knowledge, is of no benefit for the one who initiates it. On the contrary, it inflicts harm upon him, just as some of the salaf said “Whoever worships Allaah without knowledge, the mischief he causes is more than the goodness he may bring about.” He also stressed that: “Deeds vary with respect to their acceptance or rejection respectively depending upon their adherence or opposition to knowledge. Action, which is in accordance with knowledge, is approved of, and what opposes knowledge is repudiated. Knowledge, therefore, is the measure and the test. Allaah the Most High said:
[Blessed be Allaah] Who has created death that He may test you as to which of you is best in deeds, and He is al-’Azeez [Who subdues everything by His Might; the Mighty in His Revenge; the Unapproachable, none will prevail against Him; none is like unto Him], al-Ghafoor [The One Who is Oft-Forgiving]. [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-Mulk (67:2)].
Al-Fudail bin ‘Iyaad (RA) explained that, “The best of deeds are those which are done with sincerity [seeking Allaah’s Face] and are upright.” They said, “What is considered sincere and right of the deeds?” He replied, “Deeds which are sincere but not correct are not accepted, and if they are correct but not sincere then they are also not accepted, until they are sincere and right. In order to be sincere, they must be done for Allaah alone, and for them to be correct, they must comply with the [authentic] sunnah. Indeed Allaah, Most High, says:
Whoever hopes for the meeting of his Rabb let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Rabb [Allaah]. [Qur’aan, Soorat Al-Kahf (18:110)].
One will not be able to act in a way comprising both the qualities of sincerity and rightness, except by way of knowledge. For if he does not know what the Messenger (sallahu alyhi wa sallam) brought, he will not be able to follow him on the straight way. On the other hand, if he does not know of the One Who deserves to worshipped alone [Allaah], he will be unable to seek Him solely.”
Reference: Imaam Ibnul Qayyim in his book Muftaahu Daaris-Sa’aadah [al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia: Daar Ibn ‘Affaan (1st. ed; checked by Shaykh ‘Ali Hasan ‘Abdul Hameed al-Halabi al-Athari), 1416/1966], vol. 1, pp. 301-303.
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