. I.ii . <': / f·g< "1// (cont.)

One should use one's physical and material means as well as other means, such as reputation and authority, to help one's brother.' "Whoever follows a path in order to seek knowledge thereby, Allah will make easy for him, due to it, a path to Paradise." According to most of the commentators, what is meant by knowledge here is the knowledge of the religion.2 This is the most important type of knowledge that one can attain. This interpretation seems to be correct as it is that knowledge that most seemingly will lead one to the Path to Paradise. Secular knowledge may not necessarily lead to that path as can be seen from the many scientists and scholars who have no fear of Allah or knowledge of the path to Paradise. The meaning of the Prophet's statement, as ibn Rajah mentioned, includes both the actual physical following of a path in order to seek knowledge as well as the non-physical means by which one attains knowledge. The first category would include walking or riding to the lectures or places of the scholars to meet with them and learn from them. The latter category would include actions like reading, studying, memorizing, researching, pondering and so forth. All of these are part of the "paths" by which one attains knowledge.3 The words, "Allah will make easy for him, due to it, the path to Paradise," could imply, as ibn Rajab states, that Allah will make the attaining and seeking of knowledge easy upon him and it is that knowledge that is the path to take him to Paradise. In this way, it is similar to Allah's statement in the Quran, {:=͹ ½ थ ͷ͸ 01;pjl u; /! :Lilj "And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember, is there then anyone who will remember [and receive admonition]?" (al-Qamar 1 7).4 Another interpretation, also given by ibn Rajah, is that Allah will make it easy for the seeker of knowledge, who has a sincere intention to please Allah, 1 Al-Bugha and Mistu, p. 297. 2 Cf., ibn Daqeeq al-Eid, Sharh, p. 95; al-Haitami, Fath, p. 259; Sultaan, p. 3 1 6. Taataay (p. 355) argues that semantically the word "knowledge" in this hadith is in the nakirah (indefinite noun) and, therefore, applies to any type of knowledge. He says that secular knowledge or science also leads to certainty in the belief in the one God and Creator. Hence, that type of knowledge must also be included here. Allah knows best, but it seems that the stronger interpretation is that it is in reference to religious knowledge and the knowledge regarding Allah. Al-Qaari (vol. I, p. 270) gives a different interpretation of why the word "knowledge" is in the indefinite: In this way, it comprises all religious knowledge, including a large portion or a minor portion, as long as it is sought with the correct intention of getting closer to Allah. 3 Ibn Rajab, Jaami, vol. 2, p, 297. 4 Ibn Rajah, Jaami, vol. 2, p. 297. , Hadith #36: "Whoever Relieves a Believer . . . " to benefit from his knowledge and to act on the basis of his knowledge. In this way, it will be a type of "cause" for his guidance and it will lead him to Paradise.1 Furthermore, Allah may make other knowledge easy for the person to obtain and benefit from and this will lead him to Paradise. It is said that if a person acts on the basis of his knowledge, Allah will bestow upon him new knowledge that he did not possess. The evidence for this concept is in the following verses of the Quran: JI. ; ,J' J G_, ,,. ,,. ., "" / ";,J,.I J{ _,, J l>ā IJ"I L::ul Al.II ....\-:j-'..J "And Allah increases in guidance those who walk aright" (Maryam 76); 4.Jlj r Ă, ;fj l>ă Ą;1j \jzT ]{Tj "While as for those who accept guidance, He increases their guidance and bestows on them their piety" (Muhammad 17). The hadith may also be a reference to making the physical path to Paradise in the Hereafter easier for the person. Knowledge shows the straightest and shortest path to Allah and His pleasure. Whoever follows the path that is lit by the light of true knowledge is following a path that directs him to Allah's pleasure, without any curves to it. In the Hereafter, he will easily be able to follow the Path to Paradise or the bridge over the Hell-fire.2 In fact, the path of knowledge-- when that knowledge is truly applied-- is the only path that leads directly to Allah. It is the path of Allah's revelation, of the knowledge that He revealed to His messengers. In this life, it guides the person out of the darkness of ignorance and confusion. In fact, for this reason, the Book of Allah has been called "light," because it leads out of darkness into light. Allah says, ; };;, "1 # ; Q }} - }} ; ; }} } ,Y,"I ௼ --. "' ௾;T; (, ;: A).) - ......, ৵ ;; .....