The Example of Guidance and Knowledge Hadith

 Abu Musa (RA) said, "Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass abundance.  (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rainwater and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animal drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation.  (And) another portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits).  The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophets and learns and teaches others.  The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land).' " (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

So look, may Allah have mercy upon you, at how realistic this Hadith is in regards to the creation.  For the fuqaha who have understanding are like the piece of land that receives water and sprouts vegetation as they learned, understood and spread out and taught.  And the highest level of scholars of Hadith who were not given knowledge of fiqh and understanding are like the arid land that gathers the water so that people benefit from that which is with them.  As for those who heard and did not memorize:  they are the ignorant masses.

Al-Hasan said, "If it were not for the Ulama, people would have become like animals."  And Mu'adh ibn Jabal said, "Learn knowledge, for truly, learning it for Allah's sake (causes one to) fear (Allah), and searching for it is a worship, and studying it is an act of glorification, and searching for it is a form of jihad, teaching it to the one who does not know it is (a form of) charity, and offering it to its people is a means of drawing near to (Allah), and it is the companion during isolation and the friend during solitude."

And Ka'ab said, "Allah revealed to Musa (AS), ' Learn the good, O Musa, and teach it to the people, for truly, it will lighten the graves of the teacher of good and its student so that they will not feel lonely in their place."

It has been reported from Anas (RA) from the Prophet (Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) that he said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim."  (Ibn Majah)

The knowledge of interactions between servant and his Lord, and the interactions with which he has been burdened are of three types: beliefs, actions, and things to be avoided.

Also Abu Hurayrah (May Allah have mercy on his soul) reported  (that the Prophet (Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said), "Whoever treads a path in order to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him because of it the path to Paradise."  Reported by Muslim.

"Treading the path to attain knowledge" refers to following the means by which knowledge is attained; such as sitting with the Ulama and students of knowledge and reading and memorizing and so forth.  "Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise" Means that He makes acting upon what he has learned easy, or He makes it easy for him to teach that which will benefit him and so forth.  

                                  

Source:
METHODOLOGY OF THE SEEKERS OF THE HEREAFTER Adly Publications