Seeking Knowledge But Fears Not To Act Upon It
Fatwa No: 384508

Question

Asalam Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatahu. Could provide me with evidences how important is that we should implement or act what we learn? As i really like to seek knowledge but it think i'm going far as i can't implement much. For example i read that Allah will reward those who spend on their family, every deeds depend by their intention so i could help my mother at home with the tasks but I become lazy , i just end up most of the days sitting and watching videos (islamic). How i can get rid of this laziness? How can i become more active? What are the rewards?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Firstly, we should say that seeking Islamic knowledge is one of the best and greatest acts of worship, and Islam urged us to this effect; Allah Says (what means): {Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.} [Quran 58:11]

Besides, Mu'awiyah said: “I heard the Prophet saying: ‘When Allah wills good for anyone, He enriches him in (Islamic) knowledge’.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Action is the fruit of knowledge, this is more confirmed with regards to fulfilling the obligations and refraining from prohibitions; it is Islamically required to hasten to comply with this.

As-Si’di said in his Tafseer (interpretation of the Quran): “The one who enjoins good should be the first one to take the initiative to do it, and the one who forbids evil should be the farthest from it. Allah Says (what means): {Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?} [Quran 2:44]

Besides, Shu'ayb said to his people (what means): {And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you.} [Quran 11:88]” [End of quote]

It is Islamically established that fulfilling religious obligations depends on ability. Allah Says (what means): {Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.} [Quran 2:286] Therefore, a Muslim should follow a middle course (in worship)

A Muslim should not abandon seeking knowledge out of fear that he will be blamed if his sayings differ from his actions; this fear is from the deception of the devil.

The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas was asked about the person who stopped seeking knowledge on the grounds that he is negligent in acting upon his knowledge, and they replied:

Abandoning seeking knowledge out of fear of being negligent in acting according to it is a deception from Satan to mislead the children of Aadam. A Muslim is obliged to seek Islamic knowledge and do good deeds. [...] it is obligatory not to pay attention to this deception and take the initiative to seek Islamic knowledge.” [End of quote]

We did not understand what you meant by what have read that Allah will reward those who spend a long time with their family. However, a Muslim is reward for every good deed he does and it will be recorded for him, Allah willing, especially if this is related to being kind and dutiful to the parents; Allah Says (what means): {and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah.} [Quran 2:110]

Remembering the reward (from Allah) is one of the greatest reasons to repel laziness, in addition to supplicating Allah to enable one to do good. Additionally, one should seek refuge in Allah from laziness, as confirmed in the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet .

Allah knows best.

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