Chapter One
Chapter on the necessity to seek knowledge and the recommendations to learn
H 35, Ch. 1, h 1
Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub has narrated from Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim from his father from al-Hassan ibn abu al-Hassan al-Farisi from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Ziyad from his father from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.
“The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim. Let it be known that Allah loves those who seek knowledge.”
H 36, Ch. 1, h 2
Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from ‘Isa ibn ‘Abdallah al-‘Amri from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.
“Seeking knowledge is obligatory.”
H 37, Ch. 1, h 3
Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from certain persons of his people who has said the following.
“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) was asked, “Is it permissible for people not to seek what (religious knowledge) they need?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, (it is not permissible to ignore learning).”
H 38, Ch. 1, h 4
Ali ibn Muhammad and others have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa all from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Hamza from abu Ishaq al-Subay‘i from one who narrated to him who has said the following.
“I heard Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) say, ‘O people, you must know that religion becomes complete through seeking knowledge and acting accordingly. You must know that seeking knowledge is much more urgent for you than seeking wealth. In wealth every one’s share is guaranteed. A just person has already divided the wealth among you. He and my sword guarantee you to receive your share. Knowledge, however, is stored with those who possess it. You are commanded to seek knowledge from its sources (those who possess it). You must seek knowledge.’”
H 39, Ch. 1, h 5
A number of our people has narrated has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from abu ‘Abdallah, a man of our people narrated in a marfu‘ manner from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) from the Holy Prophet (s.a) who has said the following.
“Seeking knowledge is obligatory.”
In another Hadith Imam abu ‘Abdallah has narrated from the holy Prophet who said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim. Let it be known that Allah loves those who seek knowledge.”
H 40, Ch. 1, h 6
Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn abu Hamza who has said the following.
“I heard Imam abu ‘Abdallah saying, ‘Acquire good understand in religion because those of you who do not have good understand in religion are like the Bedouins. Allah has said in His book, ‘ Why do not some people from each group of believers seek to become specialists in religious learning and, after completing their studies, guide their group so that they will have fear of God. (9:122)’”
H 41, Ch. 1, h 7
Al-Hassan ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad from al-Qasim ibn al-Rabi‘ from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following.
“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘It is necessary for you to have good understanding of religion of Allah. Do not be like Bedouins because those who do not gain good understanding of religion, Allah will not look to then on the Day of Judgement and none of his deeds will be cleansed.’”
H 42, Ch. 1, h 8
Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Jamil ibn Durraj from Aban ibn Taghlib from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.
“I would like to teach my associates and followers to have good understanding of religion even if it would require to use my whip on their heads.”
H 43, Ch. 1, h 9
Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from one who narrated to him from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following.
“A man said asked, ‘May Allah take my soul in your service, a man believes in this fact, (Leadership of Ahlul Bayt with Divine Authority) but keeps himself at home and does not acquaint himself with his brethren.”
Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, “How he achieves good understanding of his religion?”