The question asks: What is the correct phrase among the following? "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit," and the second one says, "One who conveys disbelief is not a disbeliever." It is the truth that I understood from his question: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit." Is seeking refuge from knowledge permissible or not?
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The questioner : This message came to us from a person who did not mention his name, but he asks: What is the correct phrase among the following? "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit," and the second one says, "One who conveys disbelief is not a disbeliever." It is the truth that I understood from his question: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit." Is seeking refuge from knowledge permissible or not?
The Shaykh : This supplication is: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit."
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Knowledge is qualified by this.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : That it not be beneficial. This is because knowledge is either beneficial or harmful, as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan an-Nasa'i 2437Sahih (Darussalam).
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Therefore, knowledge of the Shari'ah cannot fall outside of these two matters: either it is beneficial to its possessor if he acts upon it, teaches it, and calls to it, or it is harmful to him if he does not carry out any of these three things.
So your saying, "I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit," is like saying, "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that harms."
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : This supplication is: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit."
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Knowledge is qualified by this.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : That it not be beneficial. This is because knowledge is either beneficial or harmful, as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
and the Qur'an is proof, either for you or against you
والقرأن حجة لك أو عليكThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Therefore, knowledge of the Shari'ah cannot fall outside of these two matters: either it is beneficial to its possessor if he acts upon it, teaches it, and calls to it, or it is harmful to him if he does not carry out any of these three things.
So your saying, "I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit," is like saying, "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that harms."
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.