Giving Priority to the Qur'an

Shaykh Abu Anas Hamad al-`Uthmaan

From An-Nubadh fee Aadaabit-Talabil-'ilm (pp.61-66), slightly abridged.
Al-Ibaanah, vol.1, no. 3.

In the Name of Allaah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful

Bismillaahi wa Salaatu wa Salaamu 'ala nabiyyinaa Muhammad, wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi

'ajma'een, amma ba'du.
As Salaamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatu Allaahi wa Barakaatuhu

Knowing One's Priority

Hudhayfah said:The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) related matters to
us. I have seen one of them, and I am waiting for the other. He sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam)
informed us: "Trustworthiness was sent down in depths of the heart of the people, then they
learnt it from the Qur'aan, then they learnt it from the Sunnah" 2
Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar (852H) said: "His (`azza wa jall) saying: 'then they learnt it from the
Qur'aan, then they learnt it from the Sunnah' So it occurs in this narration with the repetition of
"then", which contains and indication that they would learn the Qur'aan before learning the
details of the sunnah. And what is meant by the details of the sunnah is anything that they
would learn from Prophet (saallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) whether it was obligatory or
recommended." 3
Al-Maymoonee said:I asked Abu 'Abdullaah Imaam Ahmed which is more beloved to you,
that I should I begin teaching my son the Qur'aan or the hadeeth He said: "No! The Qur'aan."
I said: Shall I teach him all of it? He replied: "Unless that is difficult, in which case teach him
some of it." Then. he said to me: "If he begins reciting first, then he will learn correct recitation
and will persevere in it." 4
Ibn Muflih said: "Upon this are the followers of Imaam Ahmad right up until our time." 5
Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 718H) said: "As for seeking to memorize the Qur'aan then this is to be
given preference over many of the things that the people consider to be knowledge, but are
-in reality - either totally useless, or having little benefit. It is also to be given precedence in
learning especially by those who wish to acquire knowledge of the Deen, its principles and its
particulars. Since what is prescribed for such a person at this time is that he should begin by
memorizing the Qur'aan, as it is the foundation of the branches of knowledge of the deen.
This is contrary to what is done by many of the people on innovation, in that one of them will
preoccupy himself with superfluous parts of knowledge; such as kalaam (rhetorical speech)
and argumentation; or very rare matters of differences;
and blind following, which there is no need for; or very strange and rare ahaadeeth which are
not established, nor of benefit; and many discussions do not establish proofs. And he
abandons memorizing the Qur'aan which is more important than all of this." 6
Muhammad ibn al-Fadl said: "I heard my grandfather say: I asked my father for permission
to study under Qutaybah, so he said: "First learn the Qur'aan
and then I will give you permission." So I memorized the Qur'aan by heart. Then he said to
me: "Remain until you have led the people in prayer with it (i.e. for taraweeh prayer)." So I did
so, and after the "eed prayer he gave me permission, so I left for Marw." 7
Ibn 'Abdul-Barr (d. 463H) said: "Seeking knowledge is of levels and is of different stages
which should not be skipped over. Whoever skips over them
altogether, then he has overstepped the path of the Companions and those that follow them.
Whoever deliberately takes a path other than this has
seriously deviated. However, whoever oversteps due to an ijtihaad (a knowledge-based
judgment that a qualified scholar makes, intending to reach
the truth), then such a person has erred So the first knowledge is memorization of the Book of
Allaah and seeking to understand it. And it-is obligatory to seek everything which will aid in
understanding it. However, I do not say that it is obligatory to memorize all of the Qur 'aan but
I do say that it is obligatory and essential for anyone who wishes to become a scholar - not
that it is something obligatory in itself." 8
Al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee (d. 463H) said: "It is fitting for a student that he begins with
memorization of the Book of Allaah -since it is the greatest
of the branches of knowledge and that which should be placed first and given precedence." 9
 Al-Haafidh an-Nawawee (d. 676H) said: "The first thing he should begin with-is
memorization of the mighty Qur'aan, which is the most important of the branches of
knowledge. And the Companions and those that follow them did not use to teach hadeeth or
fiqh except to one who had memorized the Qur'aan
When he has memorized it, let him beware of preoccupying himself from it with hadeeth, fiqh
or other things, to the extent that it leads him to forget anything of the Qur'aan, or makes that
likely." 10
Seeking knowledge in due proportions 11
Allaah (`azza wa jall) said: "And it is a Qur'aan which We have divided into parts, in order
that you may recite it to men at intervals. And We have sent it down in stages." 12
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam said to `Abdullaah ibn `Amr ibn al-`Aas: "Read
the Qur'aan in every month." I said: I find that I have more strength than that. He (sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) said: "Recite it in every twenty nights." I said: I find that I have more
strength than that. He (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Then recite it in every seven days
and do not increase upon that." 13
'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas also related from the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa
sallam) that he said: "He does not understand the Qur'aan who recites it in less than three
days " 14
Umar ibn 'Abdul-Waahid, a companion of al-Awzaa'ee said: We read in al- Muwattaa to
Maalik (d. 179H) in forty days, so he said: "A book that took me forty years to compile, you
take from me in forty days! How little you understand of it." 15
Al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee said: "It is fitting that he takes care in acquiring knowledge and
that he should not take too much in one go. Rather, he should take a little at a time, such that
he can bear it., memorize it and be able to understand it. Because Allaah says which means:
"And those who disbelieve say: Why is the Qur'aan not send down to him all at once? Thus
(is it sent down in parts) that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it
to you gradually, in stages."16" 17
Al-Khateeb also said: "And know that the heart in an organ from the organs. It is able to
bear somethings and unable to bear others-just like the rest of the body. Thus, some people
are able to carry one-hundred pounds, whereas others are unable to carry even twenty. Some
people are able to walk a number of miles in a day without tiring, whereas others are unable
to even walk a mile a day before they become tired... So let each person limit himself to what
he is able without expending all his energies, because that will better aid him in learning with
a good mind, from a firm and proficient teacher.'' 18
Supplicating for an Increase in Knowledge
Allaah (`azza wa jall) said which means: "Say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge." (Soorah
TaaHaa 20:114)
Umm Salamah said:Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate
in the morning prayer: "O Allaah! I ask you fur beneficial knowledge, righteous action and
pure sustenance."20Anas bin Maalik (be) said: I heard Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi
wa sallam) supplicate:"O Allaah! Benefit me with knowledge. Teach me that which will benefit
me, and provide me with knowledge from which I can derive benefit."21
Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ja'far said: I heard Ibn Khuzaymah (d. 311H) being asked: From
where did you acquire this knowledge? So he said: "Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu `alayhi
wa sallam) said: "Zam-zam water is that for which it is drunk." 22 So when I drunk zam-zam
water, I supplicate to Allaah for beneficial knowledge." 23
Shaykhul-lslaarn Ibn Taymiyyah said: 24 "The reality of this matter that the servant differs
in what he asks of knowledge and guidance, and of what he seeks to ask. So with
remembrance of Allaah and turning towards Him, Allaah guides such a person-as He said
which means: "O My servants! All of you are misguided, except whomsoever I guide. So seek
your guidance from me."25 And as the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to say:
"O Allaah! Lord of Jibreel, Meekaa 'eel and Israafeel. The Originator of the heavens and the
earth. Knower of the Unseen and the apparent. You judge between Your servant in that which
he differs. So guide me in that which I differ from the truth-by Your permission. Indeed, You
guide whomsoever You please, to a Path that is straight." 26

Notes:
1. From An-Nubadh fee Aadaabit-Talabil-'ilm (pp.61-66), slightly abridged.
2. Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 7086)
3. Fathul-Baaree (13/39)
4. Related by Ibn Muflih in Al-Aadaabush-Shar'iyyah.
5. Related by Ibn Abee Ya'laa in Tabaqaatul-Hanaabilah (1/41).
6. Fataawaa al-Kubra (2/54-55).
7. Related by adh-Dhahabee in Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (2/722).
8. Jaami' Bayaanul-'llm wa fadlihi (pp. 526-528)
9. Al-Jaami' li-Akhlaaqir-Raawee wa Aadaabis-Saami'(1/106).
10. From the introduction to Al-Majmoo' Sharhul-Muhadhhab (1/38)
11. From An-Nubadh (pp.67-69)
12. Soorah al-lsraa 17:106.
13. Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5052) and Muslim (no. 1159) and the wording is from
Muslim).
14. Saheeh: related by Abu Daawood in his Sunan (no. 1394) and it was authenticated by al-
Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Abee Daawood (no. 1294).
15. Related by Ibn 'Abdul-Barr in at-Tawheed (1/77)
16.Soorah al-Furqaan 25:32.
17. Al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/101).
18. Al-Fapeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (2/107).
19. An-Nubadh (pp. 97-99).
20. Hasan: related by Ahmad (6/305) and atTiyaalasee (p.224). It was authenticated by al-
Haafidh Ibn Hair in Nataa'ijul Aflkaar (2/313).
21. Related by Haakim (1/510) and he said: "It is authentic upon the condition of Muslim."
Adh-Dhahabee also agreed.
22. Related by adh-Dhahabee in Tadhkiratul-Huffaadh (2/721).
23. Hasan: It has been narrated by many different ways. Refer to al-MaqaasidulHasanah (no.
928) of as-Sakhaawee for its authentication and sources.
24. Majmoo`ul fataawaa (4/39)
25. Related by Muslim (no. 2577) form Abu Dharr.
26. Related by Muslim (no. 770) from `Aaishah.