Allah created man and provided him the capabilities for acquiring knowledge which are the hearing ,the sight and wisdom. Allah says “And Allah has extracted you from the wombs of your mothers not knowing a thing, and He made for you hearing and vision and intellect that perhaps you would be grateful”. (Surah An Nahl 16:78 )
All knowledge originates from Allah as Allah is the All-knowing (Al-Alim) being one of the attributes of Allah. Islam is the religion of knowledge as the first Quran verse to be revealed enjoined reading which is a key to knowledge. Allah says “Read”, In the name of your Lord who has created (all that exist)”(Surah Al -Alaq 96:1). This informs us that knowledge is a sacred gift from Allah, a path to understanding truth, a means to worship Allah and elevation of people. Allah says” … And when you are told, “Arise,” then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do”. (Surah Mujadila 58:11). In Islam knowledge comes before actions as there cannot be action without knowledge. One needs to have the correct knowledge to be able to worship Allah the right way and sincerely. Also having proper knowledge guides one to tread on the right path in daily life affairs. Allah warns every Muslim against speaking without knowledge. Allah says,” And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart – about all those [one] will be questioned”.(Surah Al-Isra17:36).
There are many proofs in the Quran concerning the merits of knowledge and it’s transmission Allah says “Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know?” Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding”.(Surah Az- Zumar 39:9)
The Prophet (S.A.W) Says,” When Allah desires good for someone, He gives him understanding of the deen”.(Al- Bukhari & Muslim)
Prophet also said “Allah makes the way to the Garden easy for whoever treads a path in search of knowledge”. (Sahih Muslim 2699)
According to Ibn Rajab et al(1993) travelling on the path to knowledge refers both to walking along an actual pathway, such as going on foot to the assemblies of the Ulama, as well as following a meta-physical road, such as studying and memorizing .The above saying probably means that Allah makes learning the useful knowledge that is sought after, easier for the seeker, clearing the way for him and smoothing his journey. Some of our predecessors use to say” Is there anyone seeking knowledge, so that we can assist him in finding it” This hadith also allurdes to the road leading to the Garden on the day of judgement, which is the straight path and to what precedes it and what comes after it. Knowledge is also the shortest path to Allah. Whoever travels the road of knowledge reaches Allah and the Garden by the shortest route. Knowledge also clears the way out of darkness, ignorance,doubt and disbelief .It is why Allah called His Book “Light”.
The Prophet (S.A.W) Said,” Truly, Allah will not take away knowledge by snatching it away from people, but by taking away the lives of the people of knowledge one by one until none of them survive. Then the People will adopt ignorant one’s as their leaders. They will be asked to deliver judgement and they will give them without knowledge, with the result that they will go astray and lead others astray “(Bukhari&Muslims).
Regarding the transmission and spreading of knowledge. Sharing knowledge is a fundamental act of worship and is regarded an endless source of protection and goodness. It’s also a continuous charity and a prophetic calling and a great reward as it guides people to the straight path, strengthen faith and consequently can lead one attains Allah’s pleasure.
The Prophet said,” The best among you is he who learns and teaches the Quran.(At -Tirmidhi 2909) The Prophets also said, “When a man dies all his good deeds come to an end except Three, ongoing Charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him”.(Sunan an Nasa’i 3651).The Prophet also said “Whoever teaches some knowledge will have the reward of the one who acts upon it, without that distracting from his reward in the slightest “(Sunan Ibn Majah 240) There are many virtues and proofs of seeking, gaining and spreading the knowledge of the deen (Islam).It is one’s responsibility to share the knowledge one gains and whoever conceals knowledge is sinful and can lead to punishment. Especially, when one is asked about something of knowledge and he/she conceals it. The Prophet(S.A.W) said “He who is asked about knowledge (of religion) and conceals it, will be bridled with a bridle of fire on the day of resurrection “.(Riyad as-Salihin 1390)
Al-Hassan said, there are two kinds of knowledge. Knowledge of the tongue, which can be a case against the son Adam, and knowledge of the heart which is beneficial knowledge. The second kind ( knowledge of the heart) is the beneficial kind which raises people in rank, it is the inner knowledge which is absorbed by the heart and puts it right. (The Purification of the Soul p.13)
And Allah knows Best