Authentic hadith articleDo not seek knowledge in order to show off in front of the scholars, or to argue with the foolish;
AuthenticNarrated by Ibn MaajahHadeethEnc #65047
Arabic hadith textعَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رضي الله عنهما أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رضي الله عنهما أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لَا تَعَلَّمُوا الْعِلْمَ لِتُبَاهُوا بِهِ الْعُلَمَاءَ، وَلَا لِتُمَارُوا بِهِ السُّفَهَاءَ، وَلَا تَخَيَّرُوا بِهِ الْمَجَالِسَ، فَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ، فَالنَّارُ النَّارُ».
English translationJābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not seek knowledge in order to show off in front of the scholars, or to argue with the foolish; or to get the higher status in gatherings. Whoever does that, the Fire, the Fire."
ExplanationExplanation of the hadith
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) gave a warning to those who seek knowledge to show off in front of the scholars and demonstrate that they are also scholars like them; to argue with foolish and feeble-minded people; or to be given prominence and precedence over others in gatherings. Whoever does that becomes worthy of Hellfire due to his showing off and lack of sincerity in seeking knowledge for Allah's sake.