Hadith #5292

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

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of gratitude for knowledge. The word (shukr) "شُكْرُ" means gratitude or thankfulness, while (al-'alim) "العالِمِ" refers to the scholar or the one who possesses knowledge. The word (amaluhu) "عَمَلُهُ" means his actions or deeds, and (bihi) "بِهِ" means with it or through it. Lastly, (badluhu) "بَذْلُهُ" means his sharing or giving.

This Hadith highlights that the gratitude of a scholar for his knowledge is not merely confined to acknowledging it, but rather it is manifested through his actions and how he applies that knowledge in his life. It is not enough for a scholar to possess knowledge; rather, he must act upon it and implement it in his daily life. This implies that knowledge should not be kept stagnant, but rather it should be put into practice for the benefit of oneself and others.

The Hadith also emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge with those who deserve it. The scholar should not hoard knowledge or keep it to himself, but rather he should generously share it with those who are worthy of receiving it. This highlights the responsibility of the scholar to disseminate knowledge and guide others towards the truth.

This concept of gratitude for knowledge and its practical application is supported by various verses of the Quran. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran, verse 79:

It is not for a human [prophet] that Allah should give him the Scripture and authority and prophethood and then he would say to the people, 'Be servants to me rather than Allah,' but [instead, he would say], 'Be pious scholars of the Lord because of what you have taught of the Scripture and because of what you have studied.'

This verse emphasizes that those who are granted knowledge should not seek personal gain or authority from it, but rather they should encourage others to become scholars and guide them towards righteousness. The true gratitude for knowledge lies in using it to serve Allah and benefit humanity, rather than seeking personal gain or control over others.

Another verse that supports the concept of gratitude for knowledge is found in Surah Al-Zumar, verse 9:

Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?' Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

This verse highlights the distinction between those who possess knowledge and those who do not. It emphasizes that those who have knowledge are in a superior position, as they have the ability to remember and understand the truth. Gratitude for knowledge lies in recognizing its value and using it to gain a deeper understanding of the world and the teachings of Islam.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for all Muslims, both Shia and Sunni, that knowledge is a blessing from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) and should be cherished and utilized for the betterment of oneself and others. It highlights the importance of not only acquiring knowledge but also acting upon it and sharing it with those who deserve it. May we all strive to be grateful for the knowledge we have been blessed with and use it to bring about positive change in our lives and the lives of others.