An Illustration from the Sunnah Demonstrating the Scholar’s Generosity in Sharing Knowledge

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

In Madarij As-Salikin under the heading: [فصل : مراتب الجود ] Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim [may Allah have mercy upon him] discussed generosity and its various degrees, emphasising that to be generous with one’s knowledge is among the highest forms of generosity.

Being generous with knowledge is considered more virtuous than being generous with wealth, as knowledge is deemed more noble than wealth. Generosity with knowledge entails providing a detailed and comprehensive answer when someone inquires about religious matters, rather than just giving a sufficient response to meet their immediate needs. He then proceeded to discuss his observations on Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah concerning this matter, noting that when asked about a matter necessitating a ruling, he would, when possible, refer to the teachings of the four Imams, explain the reasons for their varying opinions, and highlight what carried more weight. Additionally, he would bring up other matters about the topic that could potentially provide even greater advantages for the individual posing the question than the specific issue they inquired about. Ibn Al-Qayyim then mentioned an example in the Sunnah concerning this issue that the companions once inquired from the prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] about performing ablution with seawater. In response, he stated, “Its water is purifying and its dead (animals) are lawful (to eat)”. (1) Therefore, the Prophet not only addressed their initial query but also generously provided them with something that they would be more in need of at certain times. [Madarij As-Salikin 2/43-44]

[1] [Bulooghul Maraam’ Hadeeth 1. Book of Purification].