شَهِدَ اللّٰهُ اَنَّهٗ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّا هُوَۙ-وَ الْمَلٰٓىٕكَةُ وَ اُولُوا الْعِلْمِ قَآىٕمًۢا بِالْقِسْطِؕ    

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: Allah has testified that there is none worthy of worship but Him, and so did the angels and those of knowledge (Ulama), whilst maintaining justice. (Part 3, Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ayah 18)

The father of A’la Hadrat, Imam of Ahl-e-Sunnat, Maulana Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, ‘Allamah Maulana Mufti Naqi ‘Ali Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, states: ‘This Ayah proves three virtues of knowledge. First is that Allah Almighty has mentioned ‘Ulama with Himself and the angels. Second, ‘Ulama are also made the witness of His Oneness, just like the angels, and their witness has also been considered as the proof of Him being the Lord Almighty. Thirdly, Allah Almighty considered their (‘Ulama’s) witness to be authentic like that of the angels.’ (Faizan-e-‘Ilm-o-‘Ulama, pp. 9; summarised)

Similarly at another place in the Holy Quran, dignity and eminence of the people of knowledge has been mentioned in the following manner:

یَرْفَعِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْۙ-وَ الَّذِیْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجٰتٍؕ

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: Allah will raise the ranks of the (excellent) believers amongst you and those who have been given knowledge.

(Part 28, Surah Mujadalah, Ayah 11)

Sayyiduna Ibn-e-‘Abbas رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُما has stated: ‘The blessed scholars will be 700 times higher in rank than the ordinary believers. There is a distance of 500 years in between every two ranks.’

 (Qoot-ul-Quloob, vol. 1, pp. 241)

Virtues of ‘ilm-e-Deen [Islamic knowledge] in Ahadees

Dear Islamic sisters! Other than in the Holy Quran, numerous virtues of ‘ilm-e-Deen have also been mentioned in the blessed Ahadees. Let’s listen to three such Ahadees and try to realize the importance of ‘ilm-e-Deen in our hearts.