Sincerity in Seeking Knowledge and Acting Upon It – Shaykh Zayd ibn Muḥammad al-Madkhalī

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Shaykh Zayd ibn Muḥammad al-Madkhalī: Certainly, the matter most feared for the student of knowledge is riyāʾ (showing off), seeking to be heard, desiring leadership, authority, and fame, and other similar destructive and corrupt intentions.

Whenever this becomes the case, O people of intellect, then weep for the student of knowledge. Rather, replace your tears with tears of blood over the loss of the blessing of his knowledge, due to the corruption of his intention and its transformation from noble and pleasing objectives to disgraceful and ignoble goals. Therefore, it must be known with certainty that knowledge is only sought for the purpose of perfecting one’s deeds. Were it not for action, knowledge would not be sought, and were it not for knowledge, righteous actions would not be pursued. Knowledge and action are inseparable. Each completes and perfects the other. Knowledge without action is deficient, and action without knowledge is misguided.

Abū al-Dardāʾ (ʿUwaymir ibn Mālik al-Anṣārī, d. 32 AH / 652 CE), may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Verily, you will not be a scholar until you are learned, and you will not be learned until you act upon what you know.”

This statement establishes a clear principle: true scholarship is not attained merely by memorisation or transmission, but by learning accompanied by sincere practice and implementation. Likewise, al-Khaṭīb al-Baghdādī (Aḥmad ibn ʿAlī ibn Thābit, d. 463 AH / 1071 CE) said in his advice to the student of knowledge: “Surely, I advise you, O student of knowledge, to have sincere intention in seeking knowledge and to strive against the soul in fulfilling what it necessitates. For verily, knowledge is a tree and actions are its fruits, and one who does not act upon his knowledge is not considered a scholar.” This profound counsel clarifies that sincerity (ikhlāṣ) is the foundation of beneficial knowledge, and that striving against the soul (mujāhadat al-nafs) is essential in translating knowledge into righteous action. Just as a tree is only valued for its fruit, knowledge is only honoured through its practical manifestation.

Whoever seeks knowledge for reputation, status, leadership, or worldly recognition deprives himself of its blessing. Such intentions transform knowledge from a means of guidance into a cause of ruin. Conversely, whoever seeks knowledge sincerely for the sake of Allah ﷻ, intending to reform himself and benefit others, is granted success, rectification, and acceptance.

Thus, the student of knowledge must constantly examine his intention, purify his heart, and renew his sincerity, ensuring that his pursuit remains directed towards Allah ﷻ alone, and that his learning is accompanied by humility, righteous conduct, and consistent practice.