Shaykh Zayd ibn Muḥammad al-Madkhalī (d. 1435 AH/2014 CE) ؒ said:
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 ad-Dardāʾ (ʿUwaymir ibn Mālik al-Anṣārī, d. 32 AH/652 CE) ؓ said:
إنك لن تكون عالما حتى تكون متعلما، ولن تكون متعلما حتى تكون بما علمت عاملا
“Verily, you will not be a scholar until you are a learner, and you will not be a learner until you act upon what you know.” Iqtiḍāʾ al-ʿIlm al-ʿAmal, no. 16.
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, Abū Bakr Aḥmad ibn ʿAlī ibn Thābit al-Khaṭīb al-Baghdādī (d. 463 AH/1071 CE) said in his advice to the student of knowledge:
ثم إني موصيك يا طالب العلم بإخلاص النية في طلبه وإجهاد النفس على العمل بموجبه، فإن العلم شجرة والعمل ثمرة، وليس يعد عالما من لم يكن بعلمه عاملا
“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.” Iqtiḍāʾ al-ʿIlm al-ʿAmal, introduction, p. 14 in the electronic text.
This profound counsel clarifies that sincerity (ikhlāṣ) is the foundation of beneficial knowledge, and that striving against the soul (mujāhadat an-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 , 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 alone, and that his learning is accompanied by humility, righteous conduct, and consistent practice.
References
Abū Bakr Aḥmad ibn ʿAlī ibn Thābit al-Khaṭīb al-Baghdādī, Iqtiḍāʾ al-ʿIlm al-ʿAmal, introduction, p. 14 in the electronic text, and no. 16, report from Abū ad-Dardāʾ.
Zayd ibn Muḥammad al-Madkhalī, Al-Ajwibah as-Sadīdah ʿan al-Asʾilah ar-Rashīdah, p. 335.
