Knowledge Mandates Action

This is a translation of the famous classical work “Iqtidaa-ul-‘Ilm al-‘Amal” (Knowledge Mandates Action) of Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee (Died 463H). It is the second installment in the classical Knowledge series – acollection of selected scholarly works from the past that deal with the subject of religious knowledge. In this treatise, the author gathers over 200 narrations from the Prophet, his Companions and the pious predecessors on the virtue and obligation of acting upon knowledge. Thus the work serves as an inspiration and encouragement to the readers, guiding them to transfer whatever knowledge they gain of Islaam into good deeds and righteous actions. You will find this book filled with beautiful admonitions and golden words of advice from our righteous predecessors, inciting us to acquire knowledge and to then put it into practice by way of acts of worship. 

This is the second book in the “Classical Knowledge Series”, which is a collection of selected scholarly works from the past that deal with the subject of religious knowledge. The first book in this blessed series was “The Book of Knowledge” written by Imam Abu Khaithamah Zuhayr bin Harb An-Nasaa’ee (Died 234H), may Allah have mercy on him.

Since that book served as an introduction to knowledge, its virtues, merits and manners, it seemed proper that the second book be dedicated to the next level of knowledge, which is its result and outcome, and that is righteous deeds. And what better work to present on this subject than the classic and well-known treatise of the distinguished Imam, Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee, “Iqtidaa-ul-‘Ilm al-‘Amal” (Knowledge Mandates Action).

In this treatise, the author gathers over 200 narrations from the Prophet, his Companions and the pious predecessors on the virtue and obligation of acting upon knowledge. Thus the work serves as an inspiration and encouragement to the readers, guiding them to transfer whatever knowledge they gain of Islam into good deeds and righteous actions. You will find this book filled with beautiful admonitions and golden words of advice from our righteous predecessors, inciting us to acquire knowledge and to then put it into practice by way of acts of worship.

In addition to this, the great scholar of Hadeeth of recent times, Imam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee, has reviewed the treatise and verified the narrations contained within it, distinguishing the authentic from the weak. So this treatise is of great benefit and deserving of being read and studied by every Muslim, whether in gatherings or individually.

Lastly, due to the nature of verifying narrations, many terms related to the Science of Hadeeth were employed by Imam Al-Albaanee throughout the footnotes in the treatise. Explanations of these terms and concepts can be found in the Glossary section at the back of the book.

We ask Allah to make this publication a guiding light to those who read it and an invaluable resource of reference for those who study it and use it for research. Important Note:

This book contains the Arabic text for all of its narrations including the vowelization of all letters so as to make it an easy to study reference-guide. It is the perfect book for people to study in gatherings and circles or for one to just read on his own and encourage himself to act upon his knowledge. May Allah accept this effort.

About the Author: Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee was one of the Imams of Ahlus-Sunnah who is renowned and reputed for his high position in the subject of Hadeeth. He has authored many books about the etiquette, manners and guidance on seeking knowledge and Hadeeth, this particular book being one of them.

Iqtidaa-ul-Ilm al-Amal Knowledge Mandates Action: By Imaam Abu Bakr Ahmad bin Alee Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee (D. 463H) Paperback 108 Pages With Verification and Notes by: Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Albaanee Ibaanah Publishing USA With Arabic text for all narrations ISBN 97880977752225 About the Book: This is the second book in the “Classical Knowledge Series”, which is a collection of selected scholarly works from the past that deal with the subject of religious knowledge. The first book in this blessed series was The Book of Knowledge written by Imaam Abu Khaithamah Zuhayr bin Harb An-Nasaee (Died 234H), may Allaah have mercy on him. Since that book served as an introduction to knowledge, its virtues, merits and manners, it seemed proper that the second book be dedicated to the next level of knowledge, which is its result and outcome, and that is righteous deeds. And what better work to present on this subject than the classic and well-known treatise of the distinguished Imaam, Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadee, ‘Iqtidaa-ul-Ilm al-Amal’ (Knowledge Mandates Action). In this treatise, the author gathers over 200 narrations from the Prophet, his Companions and the pious predecessors on the virtue and obligation of acting upon knowledge. Thus the work serves as an inspiration and encouragement to the readers, guiding them to transfer whatever knowledge they gain of Islaam into good deeds and righteous actions. You will find this book filled with beautiful admonitions and golden words of advice from our righteous predecessors, inciting us to acquire knowledge and to then put it into practice by way of acts of worship. In addition to this, Shaikh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee, has reviewed the treatise and verified the narrations contained within it, distinguishing the authentic from the weak. So this treatise is of great benefit and deserving of being read and studied by every Muslim, whether in gatherings or individually. Lastly, due to the nature of verifying narrations, many terms related to the Science of Hadeeth were employed by Imaam Al-Albaanee throughout the footnotes in the treatise. Explanations of these terms and concepts can be found in the Glossary section at the back of the book. We ask Allaah to make this publication a guiding light to those who read it and an invaluable resource of reference for those who study it and use it for research. Important Note: This book contains the Arabic text for all of its narrations including the vowelization of all letters so as to make it an easy to study reference-guide. It is the perfect book for people to study in gatherings and circles or for one to just read on his own and encourage himself to act upon his knowledge. May Allah accept this effort. About the Author: He is the Hafith, the Muhaddith of Syria, Iraq Abu-Bakr Ahmad Ali bin Thabit binAhmad bin Mahdi. better known as Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdadi was born in Ghuziyah, a town in Hijaz, in 392 A.H., but he grew up in Darzeejan, a large village to the southwest of Baghdad, where his father was the imam who led the prayers and addressed the congregation on Fridays for over 20 years. This tells us that Al-Khateeb was brought up in a family of learning. As for his status in the science of Hadith Ibn-Samani states ‘He was the Imaaam of his era without contention and the Hafith of his time without challenge he wrote nearly 100 works which became the basis for the people of Hadith’ Al-Dhahabi also states he sought knowledge from many countries and wrote many books and excelled generally in the science of Hadith until al-Dhahabi says that Ibn-Makoola states that Abu-Bakr al-Khateeb was from the last individuals whom we seen had knowledge, memorisation, and precision in the hadith of the prophet in its chains of transmission and knowledge of the Sahih, Ghareeb, Fard, Munkar, Mathrub, until he said the people of Baghdad did not have a like to him after ad-Daraqutni and Mutamin al-Saji said that Baghdad did not produce anyone after ad-Daraqutni like Khateeb. He died on Monday 7 of Dhul -Hijah from the year 463 A.H ‘If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions.’ An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:93