[To say] ‘I do not know’ is half of [all] knowledge.
Category: Religion
I do not know
It is befitting for the scholar to bequeath his companions the term ‘I do not know’, so it becomes a principle to which they seek refuge [from the danger of speaking without knowledge].
Humility of the scholar
I have never seen a scholar say “I do not know” more than Taawoos [ibn Keesaan].
I do not know
[To say] “I do not know” is half of [all] knowledge.
Three essential characteristics
You will not be a scholar until you possess three characteristics.
Rectifying the misunderstandings of the people
The people of Egypt would disparage ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan, until al-Layth ibn Sa’d emerged from [amongst] them and spoke to them about his virtues, and so they refrained.
The two imaams of Khuraasaan
Their presence entails the wellbeing of the Muslims.
Be careful from whom you take your religion
Indeed, this knowledge is the religion, so look (be careful) from whom you take your religion.
Like two brothers
The tongue [of knowledge] of Ibn Hazm and the sword of al-Hajjaaj were [like] two brothers.
O Allaah protect me from knowledge which does not benefit
How many things are there – if they do not benefit, they will not harm. However, [with regards to] knowledge – if it does not benefit, it will harm.