If a teacher of Islamic subjects seeks a livelihood and sustenance, does he fall under the category of one who seeks the world with his knowledge?
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The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : If a teacher of Islamic subjects seeks a livelihood and sustenance, does he fall under the category of one who seeks the world with his knowledge?
The Shaykh : There is no doubt that this intention is deficient if one enters the field for the sake of money. However, it is better to enter with the intention of seeking knowledge, for money will come anyway, as it is obtained in any case. The reward is diminished if a person seeks the world with his work. Therefore, in answering the objection raised by some of the brothers, who say: "All those who study in regular schools have invalid intentions and receive no reward"—I say: I seek refuge in Allah! This is a mistake, a great mistake. For these students in regular schools intend to obtain a qualification that enables them to guide the community, to secure a position in which they teach, or a leadership position in which they direct an administration or the like. This is a valid intention for which the servant is rewarded.
Therefore, I say: It is incumbent upon those who study to direct them to this intention: that they seek knowledge in order to reach ranks that they cannot attain unless they obtain the degree. And they intend to use these ranks to benefit people through teaching, guidance, administration, and the like. This is undoubtedly a sound intention. It is not the intention of one who seeks the world; rather, he seeks the public benefit. Yes.
The Shaykh : There is no doubt that this intention is deficient if one enters the field for the sake of money. However, it is better to enter with the intention of seeking knowledge, for money will come anyway, as it is obtained in any case. The reward is diminished if a person seeks the world with his work. Therefore, in answering the objection raised by some of the brothers, who say: "All those who study in regular schools have invalid intentions and receive no reward"—I say: I seek refuge in Allah! This is a mistake, a great mistake. For these students in regular schools intend to obtain a qualification that enables them to guide the community, to secure a position in which they teach, or a leadership position in which they direct an administration or the like. This is a valid intention for which the servant is rewarded.
Therefore, I say: It is incumbent upon those who study to direct them to this intention: that they seek knowledge in order to reach ranks that they cannot attain unless they obtain the degree. And they intend to use these ranks to benefit people through teaching, guidance, administration, and the like. This is undoubtedly a sound intention. It is not the intention of one who seeks the world; rather, he seeks the public benefit. Yes.