Holy Prophet on knowledge & education

One of the distinctive features of Islam is its emphasis on knowledge. The Holy Qur’an and the Islamic Tradition (Sunnah) invite Muslims to seek and acquire knowledge and wisdom and to hold men of knowledge in high esteem.
The first few verses of Holy Qur’an that were revealed to our Holy Prophet Mohammed (Sallallaho Alaihi Wa’Sallam) mention the importance of reading, pen, and teaching for human beings. Hence, it is a beautiful prayer for every Muslim to ask always:

“O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20:114)

The only limit set to the acquisition of knowledge in Islam is that Muslims should seek useful knowledge. Our great Prophet (S.A.W.W) is reported as having said: “My Lord, save me from the useless knowledge.” 
Useless here means that is not helpful towards anything or is simply wasted.
Example of useless knowledge: Abul Hikam (Father of Wisdom) was the title of Amr Ibn Hesam, one of the bitterest enemies of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). Holy Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.W) nicknamed him Abu Jahl (Father of Ignorance) because of his rigid attitude towards understanding the teachings, meaning of life and Islam.
From the above example we can see, how much our Holy Prophet (S.A.W.W) disliked ignorant and at the same time we can learn from the following example, how much our Holy Prophet (pbuh) liked to learn.
The mosque of Medina was not only a place of worship. The believers assembled here to learn.
When the Holy Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) was present they heard his words of wisdom, his elucidation on the verses of the Holy Qur’an and benefited from his counsel. And when he was not present, other faithful companions taught what they had heard from the Prophet of Almighty God.
Once our Holy Prophet (S.A.W) entered the Mosque before the prayer time. He found two groups in the Mosque. One group was busy with its own act of worship; some were reading the Holy Qur’an while the others were supplicating. The other group was in a corner busy learning. They learnt how to read and write and discussed the teachings of Islam and their application to their daily lives.
Looking at both, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “They are both engaged in useful pursuits. But I am a teacher. I shall join the group assembled to learn.” So he (S.A.W) sat with the group of students.

::SOME OF HIS WISE SAYINGS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF “KNOWLEDGE”::

1. It is an obligation for every Muslim to seek knowledge.
2.  To acquire knowledge is binding upon all Muslims, whether male or female.
3. Seek knowledge even if it be in China.
4. Seek knowledge from cradle to grave.
5. Scholars are the heirs of the prophets.
6. Anyone who pursues a course in search of knowledge, God will ease his way to paradise.
7. Acquire knowledge, it enables its possessor to distinguish right from wrong; it lights the way to heaven.
8. The most learned of men is the one who gathers knowledge from others on his own; the most worthy of men is the most knowing and the meanest is the most ignorant.
9. The loss of running after an affair without learning about it is more than its benefit.
10. The superiority of a learned man over a worshipper is like that of the full moon over other stars.
11. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) said: “The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.” – (Tirmidhi, Hadith 74).
12. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “One who treads a path in search of knowledge has his path to Paradise made easy by God…” – (Riyadh us-Saleheen, 245)
13. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “A servant of God will remain standing on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about his (time on earth) and how he used it; about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth and from where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent it; and about his body and how he used it.” – (Tirmidhi, Hadith 148)
14. The Prophet also said: “Knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which nothing is spent in the cause of God.” – (Tirmidhi, Hadith 108)
15. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “God, His angels and all those in Heavens and on Earth, even ants in their hills and fish in the water, call down blessings on those who instruct others in beneficial knowledge.” – Tirmidhi, Hadith 422
16. The Prophet also said: “Acquire knowledge and impart it to the people.” – (Tirmidhi, Hadith 107)
17. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him, S.A.W.W) said: “If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, God will cause him to travel on one of the roads of Paradise. The angels will lower their wings in their great pleasure with one who seeks knowledge. The inhabitants of the heavens and the Earth and (even) the fish in the deep waters will ask forgiveness for the learned man. The superiority of the learned over the devout is like that of the moon, on the night when it is full, over the rest of the stars. The learned are the heirs of the Prophets, and the Prophets leave (no monetary inheritance), they leave only knowledge, and he who takes it takes an abundant portion. – (Sunan of Abu-Dawood, Hadith 1631)
18. Muhammad bin Jubair bin Mut’im narrated that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah stood up at Khaif in Mina and said: ‘May Allah cause his face to shine, the man who hears what I say and conveys it (to others). (Sunan Ibn e Majah, Book of Sunnah, Hadith no 231)
19. ‘Abdulldh bin Abi Qatâdah narrated that his father said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘the best things that a man can leave behind are three: A righteous son who will pray for him, ongoing charity whose reward will reach him, and knowledge which is acted upon after his death.’”(Sunan Ibn e Majah, Book of Sunnah, Hadith no 241)
20. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 01, Book 03, Hadith Number 080).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Anas : Allah’s Apostle said, “From among the
    portents of the Hour are (the following):
    1. Religious knowledge will be taken away (by the death of
    Religious learned men).
    2. (Religious) ignorance will prevail.
    3. Drinking of Alcoholic drinks (will be very common).
    4. There will be prevalence of open illegal sexual  intercourse.
21.  (Sahih Bukhari Volume 01, Book 03, Hadith Number 085).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “(Religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious
    scholars) ignorance (in religion) and afflictions will
    appear; and Harj will increase.” It was asked, “What is
    Harj, O Allah’s Apostle?” He replied by beckoning with his
    hand indicating “killing.”
22. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 002, Book 017, Hadith Number 146).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Abu Huraira : The Prophet said, “The Hour (Last
    Day) will not be established until (religious) knowledge
    will be taken away (by the death of religious learned men),
    earthquakes will be very frequent, time will pass quickly,
    afflictions will appear, murders will increase and money
    will overflow amongst you.” (See Hadith No. 85 Vol 1).
23. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 02, Book 24, Hadith Number 490).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Ibn Masud : I heard the Prophet saying, “There
    is no envy except in two: a person whom Allah has given
    wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom
    Allah has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he
    gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to the others.”
24. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 05, Book 57, Hadith Number 030).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Hamza’s father : Allah’s Apostle said, “While I
    was sleeping, I saw myself drinking (i.e. milk), and I was
    so contented that I saw the milk flowing through my nails.
    Then I gave (the milk) to ‘Umar.” They (i.e. the companions
    of the Prophet) asked, “What do you interpret it?” He said,
    “Knowledge.”
25. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 01, Book 03, Hadith Number 079).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Abu Musa : The Prophet said, “The example of
    guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like
    abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was
    fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth
    vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of
    it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the
    people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making
    their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land
    for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which
    could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation
    (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example
    of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion and gets
    benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed
    through me (the Prophets and learns and then teaches
    others. The last example is that of a person who does not
    care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance revealed
    through me (He is like that barren land.)”
26. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 01, Book 03, Hadith Number 098).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Abu Huraira : I said: “O Allah’s Apostle! Who
    will be the luckiest person, who will gain your intercession on the Day of Resurrection?” Allah’s Apostle said: O Abu Huraira! “I have thought that none will ask me about it before you as I know your longing for the (learning of) Hadiths. The luckiest person who will have my intercession on the Day of Resurrection will be the one who said sincerely from the bottom of his heart “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”
    And ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz wrote to Abu Bakr bin Hazm,
    “Look for the knowledge of Hadith and get it written, as I
    am afraid that religious knowledge will vanish and the
    religious learned men will pass away (die). Do not accept
    anything save the Hadiths of the Prophet. Circulate
    knowledge and teach the ignorant, for knowledge does not
    vanish except when it is kept secretly (to oneself).”
27. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 06, Book 61, Hadith Number 543).
    —————————————–
    Narated By ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar : Allah’s Apostle said, “Not
    to wish to be the like except of two men. A man whom Allah
    has given the knowledge of the Book and he recites it
    during the hours of the night, and a man whom Allah has
    given wealth, and he spends it in charity during the night
    and the hours of the day.”
28. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 09, Book 89, Hadith Number 255.
    —————————————–
    Narated By ‘Abdullah : Allah’s Apostle said, “Do not wish
    to be like anyone, except in two cases: (1) A man whom
    Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously. (2) A
    man whom Allah has given wisdom (knowledge of the Qur’an
    and the Hadith) and he acts according to it and teaches it
    to others.”
29. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 09, Book 92, Hadith Number 419).
    —————————————–
    Narated By ‘Abdullah : Allah’s Apostle said, “Do not wish
    to be like anybody except in two cases: The case of a man
    whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right
    way, and that of a man whom Allah has given religious
    wisdom (i.e., Qur’an and Sunna) and he gives his verdicts
    according to it and teaches it.” (to others i.e., religious
    knowledge of Qur’an and Sunna (Prophet’s Traditions)).”
30. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 08, Book 73, Hadith Number 037).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Abu Sulaiman and Malik bin Huwairith : We came
    to the Prophet and we were (a few) young men of
    approximately equal age and stayed with him for twenty
    nights. Then he thought that we were anxious for our
    families, and he asked us whom we had left behind to look
    after our families, and we told him. He was kind-hearted
    and merciful, so he said, “Return to your families and
    teach them (religious knowledge) and order them (to do good
    deeds) and offer your prayers in the way you saw me
    offering my prayers, and when the stated time for the
    prayer becomes due, then one of you should pronounce its
    call (i.e. the Adhan), and the eldest of you should lead
    you in prayer.
31. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 07, Book 62, Hadith Number 158).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Anas : I will narrate to you a Habith I heard
    from Allah’s Apostle and none other than I will tell you of
    it. I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “From among the
    portents of the Hour are the following: Religious knowledge
    will be taken away; General ignorance (in religious matters) will increase; illegal Sexual intercourse will prevail: Drinking of alcoholic drinks will prevail. Men will decrease in number, and women will increase in number, so much so that fifty women will be looked after by one man.”
32. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 04, Book 55, Hadith Number 572).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Abu Huraira : The people said, “O Allah’s
    Apostle! Who is the most honourable amongst the people (in
    Allah’s Sight)?” He said, “The most righteous amongst
    them.” They said, “We do not ask you, about this. ” He
    said, “Then Joseph, Allah’s Prophet, the son of Allah’s
    Prophet, The son of Allah’s Prophet the son of Allah’s
    Khalil (i.e. Abraham).” They said, “We do not want to ask
    about this,” He said’ “Then you want to ask about the
    descent of the Arabs. Those who were the best in the
    Pre-Islamic period of ignorance will be the best in Islam
    provided they comprehend the religious knowledge.”
33. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 09, Book 092, Hadith Number 461).
    —————————————–
    Narated By Ubaidullah : Ibn ‘Abbas said, “Why do you ask
    the people of the scripture about anything while your Book
    (Qur’an) which has been revealed to Allah’s Apostle is
    newer and the latest? You read it pure, undistorted and
    unchanged, and Allah has told you that the people of the
    scripture (Jews and Christians) changed their scripture and
    distorted it, and wrote the scripture with their own hands
    and said, ‘It is from Allah,’ to sell it for a little gain.
    Does not the knowledge which has come to you prevent you
    from asking them about anything? No, by Allah, we have
    never seen any man from them asking you regarding what has
    been revealed to you!”
34. (Sahih Muslim Book 04, Hadith Number 1725).
    ——————————
    Chapter : Concerning dozing off in prayer, or faltering of
    one’s tongue in the recitation of the Qur’an, or in
    mentioning of Allah, one should sleep, or stop it till one
    becomes lively.
    ‘Abdullah is reported to have said: Keep refreshing your
    knowledge of the sacred books (or always renew your
    knowledge of these sacred books) and sometimes he would
    mention the Qur’an for it is more apt to escape from men’s
    minds than animals which are hobbled, and the Messenger of
    Allah (may peace be upon him) said: None of you should say:
    I forgot such and such a verse, but he has been made to
    forget.
35. (Sahih Muslim Book 34, Hadith Number 6451).
    ——————————
    Chapter : Knowledge would be taken away and ignorance would prevail upon people and the turmoil at the end of the
    world.Anas b. Malik reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: It is from the conditions of the Last Hour
    that knowledge would be taken away and ignorance would
    prevail (upon the world), the liquor would be drunk, and
    adultery would become rampant.
36. (Sahih Muslim Book 34, Hadith Number 6458).
    ——————————
    Chapter : Knowledge would be taken away and ignorance would prevail upon people and the turmoil at the end of the
    world.Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: (When) the time would draw close to the
    Last Hour, knowledge would be snatched away, turmoil would
    be rampant, miserliness would be put (in the hearts of the
    people) and there would be much bloodshed. They said: What
    is al-harj? Thereupon he said: It is bloodshed.
37. (Sahih Muslim Book 34, Hadith Number 6442).
    ——————————
    Chapter : Prohibition of making a hot pursuit of the
    allegories contained in the Qur’an and avoiding those who
    do it, and of disputation in the Qur’an.
    ‘Aisha reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon
    him) recited (these verses of the Qur’an): “He it is Who
    revealed to thee (Muhammad) the Book (the Qur’an) wherein
    there are clear revelations-these are the substance of the
    Book and others are allegorical (verses). And as for those
    who have a yearning for error they go after the allegorical
    verses seeking (to cause) dissension, by seeking to explain
    them. And none knows their implications but Allah, and
    those who are sound in knowledge say: We affirm our faith
    in everything which is from our Lord. It is only the
    persons of understanding who really heed” (iii. 6). ‘Aisha
    (further) reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be
    upon him) said (in connection with these verses): When you
    see such verses, avoid them, for it is they whom Allah has
    pointed out (in the mentioned verses).
38. (Sahih Muslim Book 30, Hadith Number 5668).
    ——————————
    Chapter : Pertaining to the similitude with which Allah’s
    Apostle (may peace be upon him) has been sent with guidance
    and knowledge.
    Abu Musa reported Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him)
    as saying: The similitude of that guidance and knowledge
    with which Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, has sent me is
    that of rain falling upon the earth. There is a good piece
    of land which receives the rainfall (eagerly) and as a
    result of it there is grown in it herbage and grass
    abundantly. Then there is a land hard and barren which
    retains water and the people derive benefit from it and
    they drink it and make the animals drink. Then there is
    another land which is barren. Neither water is retained in
    it, nor is the grass grown in it. And that is the similitude of the first one who develops the understanding of the religion of Allah and it becomes a source of benefit to him with which Allah sent me. (The second one is that) who acquires the knowledge of religion and imparts it to others. (Then the other type is) one who does not pay attention to (the revealed knowledge) and thus does not accept guidance of Allah with which I have been sent.

Holy Quran:

Read in the name of your Lord Who created. He created man from a clot. Read and your Lord is Most Honorable, Who taught (to write) with the pen. Taught man what he knew not.

(Surah Al Alaq 96:1-5)

Allah will raise in rank those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge,” (58:11) and “Say: ‘Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (20:114)

رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا    (Also a dua)

O my Lord! Increase me in knowledge

(Surah Taha 20:114)

—————————————-

..::Take care of yourself be you of any re