A hadith from Abi Abdullah (a.s.) to Mu’men u Tagh in the hadith book of Tuhaf al-Uqul (the masterpieces of the mind) reads as follows: Do not seek knowledge for three motivations: first, to show off with it, i.e. to boast about your knowledge to others. Do not seek knowledge for pretentiousness. Second, do not seek it for exhibitionism. The first motivation referred to showing off among ordinary people. The second line refers to being pretentious among the elite: It means when you join the elite do not use your knowledge to show that you also know some fact, for instance. Third, do not seek knowledge for winning disputes and arguments. Indeed, here it refers to stubbornness and hardness involving debates. The meaning of this type of argument is clarified by an example from Quran: “So will you dispute with him over what he saw [with his eyes during the night journey]?” So according to this hadith, knowledge is not to be sought for these three motivations. In fact, the motivation for seeking knowledge should be learning and acting accordingly, not for the sake of pretentiousness, exhibitionism, or disputing.
In addition, do not quit seeking out knowledge for the following three reasons: First, desire for ignorance; some want to remain ignorant, as if they resist knowledge. It is not surprising. There exist people who do not listen to certain lessons; or they invite others not to listen, because they do not want knowledge to enter their minds. Some people do not listen themselves. Some prevent others from listening: They avoid acquiring that knowledge because of their adamancy. Now, by using the word “knowledge” does the hadith refer to the same knowledge reflected by the words of Imams (pbut), for example knowledge of religion, jurisprudence of religion? This is possible. Accordingly, desire for ignorance, is ignorance in the same area: ignorance about knowledge of religion. Some, however, might not agree, saying that it refers to knowledge in general.
Never abandon knowledge because you prefer to be ignorant. Sometimes there is no supporter or not enough time for seeking knowledge, this is different. We should not leave knowledge because of our adamancy toward it. Second, we should not leave knowledge because we lack desire and motivation in pursuing knowledge. It is not acceptable that you accord little importance to something to the point that you lack desire in knowing about it. Third, do not leave knowledge because of shyness. For some people, acquiring knowledge appears to be against dignity, whereas, if they listen and learn, knowledge will bring them respect and dignity. Nevertheless, they resist, because they feel ashamed for seeking knowledge; as if they deem themselves more exalted than wanting to seek knowledge.
Never leave knowledge for these three motivations. Sometimes we do not have the time for learning something, or sometimes we do not have the money, or the right teacher, this is acceptable. But avoiding knowledge should not be because of lack of desire, or desire for ignorance or shyness. The hadith continues: knowledge which is covered, and not used for spreading, teaching, and acting accordingly, is like a covered lamp. It is ineffective and its light doesn’t benefit anyone.
This is a hadith from Abi Abdullah (a.s.) to Mu’men u Tagh in the hadith book of Tuhaf al-Uqul (the masterpieces of the mind), p. 313.
September 10, 2000
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