Chapter I: Acquisition of Knowledge
those who are well acquainted with the commands of God but not punishment of God. They are examined by lawful and unlawful things. Such kind of learning is God-fear which cannot be inherited. (2) Another class are those who have got knowledge of the commands of God and His punishments and they are the ordinary believers. (3) Another class are those who have knowledge of God, His commands and punishments. They are siddiqs, and God-fear and humility become strong in their minds. Hazrat Omar said: Acquire knowledge and therefor acquire tranquillity, gravity and patience. Humble yourselves before your teacher and let your students do the same before you.
Be not among the proud learned men lest your knowledge encourages ignorance. There is in a tradition: There are such good man among my followers who rejoice getting the mercy of God and weep secretly for fear of His punishment. Their soul is in the earth but their wisdom is in the hereafter. They walk with modesty and come close to God through the means of His grave.
Hazrat Hasan Basari said: Patience is the vizier of knowledge, kindness'its father and humility its garment. Bashr-b-Hares said:
If a man seeks to rule by knowledge, the nearness of God keeps enmity with him, as he is detested both in heaven and earth.
There is a story that a certain wise man of Banu Israil composed 360 books on wisdom for which he was called Hakim (wise). God then revealed to his Prophet: Tell so and so, the earth has become full of your hypocrisy and you have not sought My pleasure therein. So I accept nothing of it. The man became repentant and gave it up. He began to mix with the people and roamed in the streets befriending all the children of Israil and he humiliated himself. God then revealed to their Prophet: Tell him: You have now earned My pleasure.
It has been narrated that the Prophet was asked: O Prophet of God, which actionls best? He replied: To avoid evil and to make your tongue wet with the remembrance of God. He was asked:
Which companion is best? He replied: The companion who helps you when you remember God and reminds you when you forget.
He was asked: Which companion is worst? He replied: The companion who does not remind you when you forget. If you remember, he does not help you. He was asked: Who is the most learned man among the people? He replied: The most learned man among them is he who fears God most. He was asked:
Inform us about the best men among us, so that we may keep
86 THE BOOK OF WORSHIP Vol-I