The Hadith on Beneficial knowledge - Prophetic Narrations on Knowledge

حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْمُنْكَدِرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏‏ سَلُوا اللَّهَ عِلْمًا نَافِعًا وَتَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْ عِلْمٍ لاَ يَنْفَعُ ‏

Narrated by Jabir رضى الله تعالى عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge with Allah from knowledge that is of no benefit.”

Beneficial knowledge refers to that which humbles a person, increases sincerity and brings one closer to the Divine Proximity. It also refers to that knowledge which will benefit the creation in this world and the Hereafter. Ibn Rajab Hanbali [may Allah have mercy on him] has referred beneficial knowledge to all those branches of knowledge which is learned for the pleasure of Allah and any knowledge that is acquired for the sake of the creation, such as wealth, then it is considered non-beneficial. The question that arises is whether secular knowledge such as mathematics, physical sciences, geography and so forth – are these beneficial? Deducing from the words of Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali, we may categorise this knowledge to be beneficial if the pleasure of Allah is intended – for example, ‘O Allah, I am learning this knowledge so that it may benefit the religion of Islam’, or ‘O Allah, I am learning this knowledge of physical science so that it may benefit Islam in terms of Jihad’. Many such intentions are noble and noble intentions are rewardable in the sight of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ used to receive letters in the Hebrew language so he ordered Zayd bin Thabit رضى الله تعالى عنه to learn this language because knowing about it will bring benefit to Islam. Zayd bin Thabit رضى الله تعالى عنه learnt this language in seventeen days. Similarly, there is a narration in which the Prophet ﷺ ordered the Muslims to acquire knowledge of things that are known by the disbelievers so that Muslims may use this knowledge for their advantage. In modern times, we may deduce these narrations and allot secular education, along with religious education, to our children with the intention of pleasing Allah Ta’ala. May Allah grant us the ability – Aameen!

References

1. Sunan Ibn Ma’ajah 3843

2. Kitaab ad-Duaa 3843

3. Prophetic Narrations on Knowledge by Ajmeri Press - Tehseen Raza Hamdani Nuri