From `Abdul`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz to his dear students of the Islamic University, may Allah increase their Iman (Faith) and knowledge! Amen.
Assalamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
Because of your intention to issue the first issue of the magazine entitled "Sawt AlTalabah", it is a pleasure to write to you this speech so that you can publish it in the magazine.
One of the most important tasks is sincerity in seeking knowledge, seeking it for the sake of Allah alone, not for anything else, because this is the way to benefit from it and reach the highest levels in this world and in the afterlife. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, If anyone acquires knowledge of things by which Allah's good pleasure is sought, but acquires it only to get some worldly advantage, they will not smell the odor of Jannah (Paradise) on the Day of Resurrection. Related by Abu Dawud with a Sahih (authentic) Isnad (chain of narration).It is also related by A lTirmidhythat the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Whoever acquires knowledge in order to compete with the scholars, dispute with the ignorant, or attract the attention of people to themselves will enter Hellfire.
My advice to you and every Muslim who reads this magazine is to be sincere to Allah in all deeds, according to Allah's saying, So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord. It is reported in the Sahih Book of Muslimthat the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Allah (may He be Glorified and Exalted) says, "I am the One Who accepts no partnership; whoever does an act in which they associate anyone with Me, I shall abandon them with whom they associate with Me." I also advise you and every Muslim to fear Allah (Glorified be He)
and watch Him in all the affairs, according to Allah's saying, Verily,, those who fear their Lord unseen (i.e. they do not see Him, nor His punishment in the Hereafter), theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise). He (Glorified be He) also says, But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise). The Prophet (peace be upon him) told his Sahabah (Companions), I am more submissive to Allah and more afraid of Him than all of you. `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, The ultimate knowledge is to fear Allah and the ultimate ignorance is to be deceived in His Mercy.
Some of the Salaf (righteous predecessors) said, "The ultimate form of knowledge is fearing Allah." Others said, "The more a person knows Allah, the more they fear Him." The more a slave knows Allah, the more pious they become, and the more they avoid Allah's prohibitions. That is why Allah (Glorified be He) says, It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allâh. referring to piety. Scholars who know Allah and His religion are the ones who fear Allah most and stick to His religion best, on top of whom come the Messengers, Prophets, and their followers in righteousness. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) told us that one of the good signs is being wellinformed in religion. He (peace be upon him) said, If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes them comprehend religion. Related in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. AlBukhari and Muslim) as part of the Hadith of Mu`awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him).This is because good understanding of religion urges a person to apply Allah's orders, fear Him, do the acts of worship He obligated, beware of incurring His Wrath, and call them to adopt noble manners, do good deeds and offer advice for the people.
May Allah grant you, us and all the Muslims good understanding of religion and adherence to it! May He protect us all from the evil within ourselves and from our misdeeds! He is the One Who is Capable of doing so. May Allah's peace and blessings be upon His Messenger and Slave, our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!
Vice President of the Islamic University in AlMadinah AlMunawwarah