A-2.7: Other Reasons

(Nawawi:) There are similar statements from whole groups of early Muslims I have not mentioned that are like those I have quoted, the upshot of which is that they concur that devoting one's time to Sacred Knowledge is better than devoting it to voluntary fasting or prayer, better than saying "Subhan Allah" (lit. "Exalted is Allah above any limitation"), or other supererogatory devotions.

Among the proofs for this, besides the foregoing, is that:

1- the benefit of Sacred Knowledge affects both its possessor and the Muslims, while the above mentioned supererogatory works are confined to oneself;

2- Sacred Knowledge validates, so other acts of worship require it, though not vice versa;

3- scholars are the heirs of the prophets, while devotees are not characterized as such;

4- the devote follows the scholar, being led by and imitating him in worship and other acts, obeying him being obligatory and not the other way around;

5- the benefit and effect of Sacred Knowledge remain after its possesser departs, while supererogatory works cease with the death of their doer;

6- knowledge is an attribute of Allah Most High;

7- Sacred Knowledge, meaning the knowledge we are discussing, is a communal obligation (def: c-3.2), and it is thus better than the supererogatory. The Imam of the Two Sanctuaries

(A: Juwayni) says in his book alGhiyathi that "the communal obligation is superior to the personal obligation in that the person performing it fulfills the need of the Islamic Nation (Umma) and lifts the obligation from it, while the obligation of the individual is restricted to himself." And success is through Allah (alMajmu' (y-108), 1.18-22).