A Road to Paradise - The Path of Knowledge
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
The Authentic Hadith
Arabic Text
عَنْ أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
«مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ، وَإِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَتَضَعُ أَجْنِحَتَهَا رِضًا لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ، وَإِنَّ الْعَالِمَ لَيَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى الْحِيتَانُ فِي الْمَاءِ، وَفَضْلُ الْعَالِمِ عَلَى الْعَابِدِ كَفَضْلِ الْقَمَرِ عَلَى سَائِرِ الْكَوَاكِبِ، وَإِنَّ الْعُلَمَاءَ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ، وَإِنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ لَمْ يُوَرِّثُوا دِينَارًا وَلَا دِرْهَمًا، وَإِنَّمَا وَرَّثُوا الْعِلْمَ، فَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ أَخَذَ بِحَظٍّ وَافِرٍ»
Transliteration
‘An Abī ad-Dardā’ (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhu) qāla: Sami‘tu Rasūlallāh ﷺ yaqūl:
“Man salaka ṭarīqan yaltamisu fīhi ‘ilman sahhala-llāhu lahu ṭarīqan ilā al-jannah.
Wa inna al-malā’ikata lataḍa‘u ajniḥatahā riḍan liṭālib al-‘ilm.
Wa inna al-‘ālim layastaghfiru lahu man fis-samāwāti wa man fil-arḍ, ḥattā al-ḥītān fī al-mā’.
Wa faḍlu al-‘ālim ‘alā al-‘ābid ka faḍli al-qamar ‘alā sā’ir al-kawākib.
Wa inna al-‘ulamā’ warathatu al-anbiyā’.
Wa inna al-anbiyā’ lam yuwarrithū dīnārā wa lā dirhamā, wa innamā warrathū al-‘ilm.
Fa man akhadhahu akhadha biḥaẓẓin wāfir.”
English Translation
Abu Darda (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever follows a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.
The angels lower their wings out of pleasure for the seeker of knowledge.
The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the fish in the water, ask forgiveness for the scholar.
The superiority of the learned person over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over the stars.
The scholars are the heirs of the Prophets.
The Prophets did not leave behind dinars or dirhams; rather they left behind knowledge.
Whoever takes it has taken a great share.”
Authenticity of the Hadith
This hadith is authentic (Ṣaḥīḥ).
References
Sunan Abu Dawud (Hadith 3641)
Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2682) – graded Hasan Sahih
Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 223)
Sahih Ibn Hibban
Al-Bayhaqi
Scholars such as Imam al-Albani and other hadith scholars have graded it Sahih.
Simple Explanation of the Hadith
This hadith highlights the great honor and reward of seeking Islamic knowledge.
It explains five powerful truths:
1. Knowledge Leads to Paradise
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever sincerely seeks knowledge, Allah will make the path to Jannah easier.
This includes:
learning the Qur’an
studying hadith
understanding Islam
learning how to worship Allah correctly.
2. Angels Honor the Seeker of Knowledge
The hadith says:
“The angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge.”
Scholars explain this means:
respect
honor
support from the angels.
3. All Creation Prays for the Scholar
Even the creatures in the sea ask Allah to forgive the people of knowledge.
Why?
Because scholars guide people toward:
justice
worship
good conduct.
4. Knowledge is Greater than Worship Alone
The Prophet ﷺ compared the scholar and the worshipper:
Scholar = Moon
Worshipper = Stars
Both are good, but the moon gives greater light and guidance.
A knowledgeable believer benefits:
himself
his family
society.
5. Scholars Are the Heirs of the Prophets
Prophets did not leave wealth.
They left knowledge of the religion.
So whoever learns and spreads authentic knowledge inherits the legacy of the Prophets.
What This Hadith Teaches Us
This hadith encourages Muslims to:
Seek Islamic knowledge regularly
Study the Qur’an and Sunnah
Learn correct worship
Teach others what we learn
Respect scholars and teachers.
How We Can Practice This Hadith
Here are simple ways to act upon it:
1. Study the Qur’an Daily
Even a few verses with understanding.
2. Learn Authentic Hadith
Read hadith books or attend lessons.
3. Attend Islamic Classes
Physical or online learning.
4. Share Beneficial Knowledge
Teaching even one authentic hadith can be rewardable.
5. Make Intention for Allah
Knowledge should be sought for Allah’s pleasure, not fame.
Key Takeaway
The Prophet ﷺ teaches us that the path of knowledge is the path of the Prophets.
Every step taken to learn Islam is a step toward Paradise.
So the believer should never stop learning.
✔ Seeking knowledge brings Allah’s mercy
✔ Angels honor the learner
✔ Creation prays for the scholar
✔ Knowledge is the inheritance of the Prophets.