Knowledge is Not the Goal Consider two examples

 *Knowledge is Not the Goal*

Consider two examples. 

First, a student of knowledge taking fiqh classes, having studied in detail the pillars of prayer, and the legal rulings of each and every aspect of the ṣalāt. He knows the positions of all the schools on these issues, and can quote from memory who says what about every posture, every dhikr, every detail. When this student himself stands to pray, he prays because he knows it's obligatory, and he fulfills all of its requirements 'to the t'. Still, during the prayer his mind wanders all over, and he finds very little khushū' in his own prayer. 

Second, consider a person with very little formal education, and completely oblivious to the controversies of the different opinions of the pillars and wājibs and sunnahs of ṣalāt. He is merely praying like his parents taught him how to (most likely with some 'mistakes' that the student of knowledge would be eager to point out). Yet, his heart is attached to Allah. He finds comfort in his prayer, eagerly looking forward to it, and while praying, has an immense sense of awe and humility as he realizes he is standing in front of Allah.

There is no question that the second person, despite his ignorance of the details of the Law, has prayed a better and more blessed prayer, and fulfilled the goal and aim of the prayer far better than the student of knowledge who knows the legal intricacies and fulfills the technical minutiae better. True, the student of knowledge might have other aspects of his life where he's better off than the second person, and yes the very act of learning Islam and of teaching it to others is a highly meritorious endeavor that is itself blessed. That's all valid.

Still, in terms of the actual prayer, the one who prays with more humility has done far better than the one who prays without. 

This isn't meant to discourage anyone from studying knowledge. Rather, it's meant to underscore that knowledge itself is not the goal, it is supposed to be the stepping stone to the goal. 

Do you know who will be rewarded the most? It is a third person, someone who studies the fiqh of ṣalat in detail, wanting to follow the Sunnah, desiring to make sure his prayer is valid, and then standing up in ṣalat with eagerness and humility, conscious of every move both from a legal aspect and a spiritual one. 

Be careful, dear Muslim, of being the first person, because frankly you might have been better off saving all that time studying and just remaining like the second! Rather, strive to be like the third person, who combines knowledge with spirituality, because that is the ultimate goal of studying Islam! 

May Allah make us of those who learn and then practice what we have learned!

Credit: Yasir Qadhi