Beneficial knowledge and harmful knowledge

Reference: Fataawa Noor 'alad-Darb q6350 p182-183 v12

Question: What does the [following] saying of the Messenger ﷺ mean:

Response: [Regarding] this supplication

-

; [the word] 'knowledge' here is bound by ''does not benefit”. That is because knowledge is either beneficial or harmful; this is based upon the saying of the Messenger of Allaah ﷺ:

So it is not possible for knowledge of the Sharee'ah to be outside of these two: either beneficial for the one who possesses it - so long as he acts upon it, teaches it and invites to it, or harmful for him if he does not uphold [at least] one of the three [activities - namely acting upon it, teaching it and inviting to it].

So when you say

- it is just like saying “O Allaah! I seek refuge in you from knowledge that harms”.

Translation originally published on 13 November, 2016.