Is it true that knowledge has a zakah, which is giving it to people and teaching it to them?
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The questioner : Is it true that knowledge has a zakah, which is giving it to people and teaching it to them?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is obligatory for the scholar to make his knowledge clear to people when they need it, whether by answering their questions or by explaining the knowledge when people need it, even if they do not ask. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Ali 'Imran 3:187] This obligation is called by some of the common people a zakah: the zakah of knowledge is teaching, the zakah of wealth is charity, the zakah of status is intercession, and similar expressions used by the common people. But we say: whether you call it zakah or not, it is obligatory for the people of knowledge to make the knowledge clear to people so that they do not become among those who were given knowledge but concealed it.
We ask Allah to grant us all beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.
The questioner : O Allah, amen.
The Shaykh : And good, abundant provision that makes us independent of His creation.
The questioner : Amen.
The Shaykh : He is the Generous, the Bountiful. May Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
The questioner : O Allah, send prayers and peace upon our Prophet and our beloved Muhammad, and increase and bless him.
Thank you, O esteemed Shaykh Muhammad.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is obligatory for the scholar to make his knowledge clear to people when they need it, whether by answering their questions or by explaining the knowledge when people need it, even if they do not ask. This is based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.
وَإِذْ أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَتُبَيِّنُنَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلا تَكْتُمُونَهُ فَنَبَذُوهُ وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَاشْتَرَوْا بِهِ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا فَبِئْسَ مَا يَشْتَرُونَWe ask Allah to grant us all beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds.
The questioner : O Allah, amen.
The Shaykh : And good, abundant provision that makes us independent of His creation.
The questioner : Amen.
The Shaykh : He is the Generous, the Bountiful. May Allah send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
The questioner : O Allah, send prayers and peace upon our Prophet and our beloved Muhammad, and increase and bless him.
Thank you, O esteemed Shaykh Muhammad.