Hadith #7322

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge and acting upon it. Let us delve into the exegesis of this amazing Hadith in light of the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Seek knowledge and you will be known for it.

The word (knowledge) "عِلْمَ" refers to the understanding and awareness of facts and information. It encompasses both religious and worldly knowledge. Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) encourages Muslims to actively seek knowledge, as it is through this pursuit that one becomes recognized and distinguished among others. This recognition is not merely in the eyes of people, but also in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Allah honors those who seek knowledge and grants them a higher status in society.

The Quran supports this notion of seeking knowledge and being known for it. In Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11), Allah says,

Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.

This verse highlights that those who possess knowledge are elevated in rank by Allah. Similarly, in Surah Al-Zumar (39:9), Allah states,

Are those who know equal to those who do not know?

This rhetorical question emphasizes the superiority of those who possess knowledge over those who are ignorant.

The second part of the Hadith states,

Act upon it and you will become from those who are worthy of [possessing] it.

Here, Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of implementing the knowledge one acquires. Mere acquisition of knowledge is not sufficient; it must be put into practice. By acting upon knowledge, one becomes deserving of it and attains a higher level of understanding.

The Quran also emphasizes the significance of acting upon knowledge. In Surah Al-Imran (3:79), Allah says,

So woe to those who write the

scripture

with their own hands, then say, 'This is from Allah,' in order to exchange it for a small price. Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for what they earn.

This verse highlights the importance of not only acquiring knowledge but also ensuring that it is implemented correctly. Those who distort the teachings of Allah for personal gain are severely condemned.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:67), Allah commands Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to convey the knowledge he has received from Allah to the people, saying,

O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people.

This verse emphasizes the duty of the Prophet (ﷺ) to act upon the knowledge he has received and to convey it to others. It serves as a reminder to all Muslims that knowledge should not be kept to oneself but should be shared and acted upon for the betterment of society.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a powerful reminder for Muslims to seek knowledge and act upon it. By actively pursuing knowledge, one becomes recognized and distinguished. However, it is essential to remember that knowledge should not be acquired for personal gain or to deceive others. Rather, it should be sought sincerely for the sake of Allah and implemented in accordance with His teachings. May Allah grant us the wisdom and understanding to seek knowledge and act upon it, and may He elevate our status in this world and the Hereafter.