Al Kafi (part 2)

Chapter 13 : Chapter On Utilization of Knowledge H 107, Ch. 13, H 1

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Isa from Hammed from 'Umar ibn 'Udhayna from Aban ibn abu 'Ayyash from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali who has said the following.

"I heard Imam Ali (a.s.) narrate from the Holy Prophet (s.a.) who said, 'The scholars are of two kinds: One kind consists of those who uphold their knowledge and they gain their salvation. The other kind consists of those who disregard their knowledge and they face their destruction.

The people of hell will suffer from the bad odor of the scholars who do not act according to their knowledge. Of the people of hell the one who will regret most will be a man who teaches someone and shows him the way of Allah.

The student accepts and acts according to such teachings and consequently Allah takes him to paradise but the teacher is sent to hell because of ignoring his knowledge, following his desires and entertaining long hopes. Following ones' desires bars one from the truth. And cherishing long hopes causes one to forget the next life.'"

H 108, Ch. 13, h 2

Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from 'Isma'il ibn Jabir from abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

"Knowledge and work are closely related. One who has knowledge he works and one who works he learns. Knowledge invites work and if it is not accepted knowledge departs the deeds."

H 109, Ch. 13, h 3

A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani from one he mentioned from 'Abdallah ibn Qasim al-Ja'fari from abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

"If a scholar preaches and does not practice his words bounce away from the hearts of the audience like rains that bounce away off the rocks."

H 110, Ch. 13, h 4

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Minqari from Ali ibn Hashim ibn al-Burayd from his father who has said the following.

"A man came to (Imam) Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) and asked him certain questions and the Imam answered his questions. The man then wanted to ask similar questions but the Imam said, "It is written in the Gospel, 'Do not inquire to know what you do not know until you practice what you know because not practicing what one knows does not increase to one anything but disbelief and nor it increases anything to one's relation with Allah but alienation."

H 111, Ch. 13, h 5

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Mufaddal ibn 'Umar who has said the following.

"I asked Imam abu 'Abdallah (a.s.), 'What are the facts that help one know those who have gained their salvation?' The Imam replied, "One whose words agree with his deeds you must consider his testimony as valid and one whose words do not agree with his deeds (if he may have faith) it is temporarily.'"

H 112, Ch. 13, h 6

A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu' manner (rafa'ahu) from Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (a.s.) who has said the following. "Once Imam Ali (a.s.) said in one of his sermons, 'O people, if you learn and gain knowledge you must act accordingly so that you may have guidance.

A learned person who disregards his knowledge is like a lost and ignorant person who never comes to the right path due to his ignorance. In fact, you will find the case against such the learned that disregards his knowledge more sever and his regret more prolonged, compared to the ignorant person who wonders about in it. Both people stray and are devoid of goodness. Do not hesitate lest you will doubt and do not doubt lest you will disbelieve.

Do not be lenient to your souls to play lazy. Do not trivialize the truth lest you will lose badly. It is of the truth to learn Fiqh, proper understanding of religion.

It is of Fiqh, proper understanding of religion not to suffer deceit. The wisest for ones self among you is the one most obedient to his Lord. The most deceitful to himself among you is the disobedient one to his Lord. One who obeys Allah is safe and glad news awaits him but one who disobeys his Allah he loses and regrets.'"

H 113, Ch. 13, h 7

A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from the one mentioned from Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father who has said the following.

"Imam abu Ja'far (a.s.) has said, 'When you hear knowledge you must utilize it and your hearts must become more open. When knowledge increases in one's heart it becomes harder to bear and Satan may over power him.

If Satan would dispute with you move on him with whatever you know. The plots of Satan are weak." I asked the Imam (a.s.) "What is it that we know?'" The Imam replied, "Fight him with whatever of the power of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, has come to light before you."

Chapter 14 : Chapter on Those who use their Knowledge to Fill their Stomach and are Boastful for it H 114, Ch. 14, h 1

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Isa and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father, both of them from Hammad ibn 'Isa from 'Umar ibn 'Udhayna from Aban ibn abu 'Ayyash from Sulaym ibn Qays who has said the following.

"(Imam) Ali (a.s.) narrated from the holy Prophet who said, 'Two kinds of people with great appetites do not become satisfied. A person of great appetite for the worldly gains and a person with great appetite for knowledge.

In the matters of the worldly gains if one would limit himself to what Allah has made lawful form him he is saved and if one would accumulate such gains in unlawful ways he is destroyed unless he repents and changes his ways. In the matters of knowledge if one would acquire it from the people of knowledge and practice accordingly he is saved and if one would use it for the worldly gains then that is what one gets.'"

H 115, Ch. 14, h 2

Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad ibn 'Amir has narrated from Mu'alla ibn Muhammad from al- Hassan ibn Ali al-Washshi' from Ahmad ibn 'A'idh from abu Khadija from abu 'Abdallah (a. s.) who has said the following.

"If one would want al-Hadith for the worldly benefits he will have no share for it in the next life but if one would want al-Hadith for the good of the next life, Allah will give him the good of both this and the next life."

H 116, Ch. 14, h 3

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Isbahani from al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath from abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. "Whoever would want al-Hadith for the worldly gains he will have no share for it in the next life."

H 117, Ch. 14, h 4

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim from al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath from abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

"If you would find a learned person who loves the worldly gains you must not trust him in the matters of your religion because whoever would love something it will encompass and entangle him. The holy Prophet has said, 'Allah sent wahy, revelation to David (a.s.) and told him, "Do not set between Me and yourself a learned person who loves the worldly gains lest he will bar you from the way to My love.

Such people are bandits who ambush my servants who want Me. The least that I will do to such bandits is to take away from them the sweetness of their private conversations and prayers with Me."

H 118, Ch. 14, h 5

Ali from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu 'Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

"The holy Prophet has said, Al-Fuqaha, the scholars of the Fiqh, Islamic laws are the trustees of the prophets until they are not involved in the worldly matters." People asked, "What is their 'entering in the worldly matters, O the holy Prophet of Allah?" "Their following the kings is entering in the worldly matters. When they follow the kings then you must be very careful in involving them in your religion." Replied the holy Prophet (s.a.)

H 119, Ch. 14, h 6

Muhammad ibn 'Isma'il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammed ibn 'Isa from Ri'ab'i ibn 'Abdallah from one he narrated from abu Ja'far (a.s.) who has said the following.

"Whoever would seek knowledge to show off to the scholars or to engage in arguments with fools or to attract people to himself he should know that in so doing he has prepare his seat in the fire. Leadership does not suite anyone besides those qualified for it."