Dhul-Hijjah 26, 1447 (June 12, 2026)
Assalaamun Alaykum Warahmatullah Taallah Wabarakatuhu
Knowledge, Humility and the Four Types of People
All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, we seek His help, and we ask for His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and from the consequences of our bad deeds.
Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomsoever He leaves astray, none can guide. Peace and blessings be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad, his family, companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam,
Knowledge is one of the greatest gifts Allah gives to human beings. Wealth can disappear. Power can vanish. Beauty fades with time. But beneficial knowledge remains valuable in this world and in the Hereafter.
Allah honored knowledge so greatly that the very first revelation sent to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) began with the command to read:
“Read in the name of your Lord Who created.”
— Qur’an 96:1
Allah also says:
“Are those who know equal to those who do not know?”
— Qur’an 39:9
And Allah says:
“Allah will raise those who believe among you and those who have been given knowledge by degrees.”
— Qur’an 58:11
Knowledge is light. Ignorance is darkness. Knowledge saves communities while ignorance destroys them. Through knowledge people recognize Allah, distinguish truth from falsehood, and walk on the straight path.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) beautifully explained the condition of people concerning knowledge. Scholars often summarize humanity into four categories.
The First Category: Those Who Have Knowledge and Know They Have Knowledge
These are the outstanding scholars. Allah blessed them with understanding, wisdom, and awareness of their responsibility. They know what they know, yet they use that knowledge to guide people, solve problems, and spread goodness.
These are the people whom Allah praises in the Qur’an:
“Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.”
— Qur’an 35:28
True scholars are not arrogant. The more they know Allah, the humbler they become. They understand the weight of knowledge and the danger of misleading people.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever follows a path seeking knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise.”
— Sahih Muslim
These scholars are lamps in times of darkness. They protect society from confusion, extremism, and deception. They teach with sincerity, not for fame or applause. They speak the truth even when it is difficult.
Throughout Islamic history, great scholars carried this responsibility with humility. Men like Imam al-Bukhari, Imam Malik, and Imam al-Shafi’i spent their lives serving knowledge, preserving the Sunnah, and guiding humanity.
Today, the Muslim Ummah desperately needs this category of people — scholars who combine knowledge with wisdom, humility, sincerity, and fear of Allah.
The Second Category: Those Who Have Knowledge but Do Not Realize Their Greatness
These are the humble scholars. They possess knowledge, wisdom, and intelligence, but they underestimate themselves. They do not seek attention. They avoid praise and recognition.
Sometimes they think others are better than them, even though Allah has blessed them greatly.
This humility can be beautiful when balanced properly. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“No one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises him.”
— Sahih Muslim
However, such people should not hide beneficial knowledge from society. Many sincere and knowledgeable Muslims remain silent while ignorant voices dominate public discussions.
Allah warns against concealing beneficial knowledge:
“Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance… upon them is the curse of Allah.”
— Qur’an 2:159
My dear brothers and sisters, if Allah has blessed you with understanding of the Qur’an, Hadith, medicine, education, leadership, or any beneficial skill, use it to benefit humanity. Do not allow fear, shyness, or self-doubt to prevent you from helping others.
A teacher who teaches one child sincerely may change an entire generation. A scholar who gives one honest sermon may save thousands from misguidance.
The Third Category: Those Who Have No Knowledge but Pretend to Know
This is the most dangerous category.
These are the double ignorant. They are ignorant, yet they do not realize their ignorance.
Worse still, they present themselves as scholars and guides.
They speak without evidence. They issue rulings without knowledge. They mislead people while believing they are right.
Allah gives a serious warning:
“And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge.”
— Qur’an 17:36
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also warned:
“Whoever speaks about the Qur’an without knowledge, let him take his seat in the Fire.”
— Tirmidhi
In another Hadith, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Allah does not take away knowledge by removing it from the people, but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars, until when no scholar remains, people will take ignorant persons as leaders. They will be asked, and they will give verdicts without knowledge. They will go astray and lead others astray.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
This Hadith perfectly describes much of our modern world. Today, social media has given microphones to people who have never studied Islam properly. Some read a few translations or watch a few videos and suddenly become “experts.”
They confuse confidence with knowledge. They attack real scholars while spreading confusion among Muslims.
One of the signs of ignorance is speaking too much about matters one barely understands.
Ali ibn Abi Talib reportedly said:
“The value of a man is according to what he knows well.”
And another wise saying states:
“A person’s ignorance is enough when he thinks he knows everything.”
Brothers and sisters, not every speaker is a scholar. Not every viral preacher is qualified. Islam is a religion of knowledge, chains of learning, discipline, and humility.
Before taking religious guidance, ask:
Who taught this person?
What are their sources? Do respected scholars recognize them?
The Fourth Category: Those Who Do Not Have Knowledge and Know They Do Not Know
These are the humble ignorant. This category is actually safer than the third category because these people recognize their limitations.
When they do not know something, they say:
“Allah knows best.”
This honesty is beloved to Allah.
Even the greatest scholars used to say, “I do not know,” when uncertain. Imam Malik was once asked dozens of questions, and for many of them he simply answered, “I do not know.”
Saying “I do not know” is not weakness. It is sincerity.
Allah says:
“Ask the people of knowledge if you do not know.”
— Qur’an 16:43
The humble ignorant person has the potential to become knowledgeable because humility opens the door to learning. But arrogance blocks knowledge from entering the heart.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever has an atom’s weight of arrogance in his heart will not enter Paradise.”
— Sahih Muslim
Lessons We Should Imbibe
Dear believers, this Prophetic wisdom teaches us several important lessons.
First, seek beneficial knowledge throughout your life. Never stop learning your religion.
Second, combine knowledge with humility. The more knowledge you gain, the softer your heart should become.
Third, never speak about Islam without proper understanding. Ignorance can destroy lives and communities.
Fourth, respect genuine scholars who dedicate their lives to preserving Islam.
Finally, admit when you do not know something. There is honor in honesty.
Let us ask ourselves today:
Which category do we belong to?
Are we learning sincerely?
Are we humble?
Are we careful with our words?
Are we guiding people or misleading them?
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May Allah make us among those who seek beneficial knowledge, act upon it sincerely, and teach it with wisdom and humility.
May Allah protect us from arrogance, ignorance, and misleading others.
May Allah bless our scholars, guide our youth, unite the Muslim Ummah upon truth, and make the Qur’an the light of our hearts.
Ameen.
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Endeavour to recite Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18: Verses 1-110).
Juma’ah Mabrouq
