Two Requirements for Knowledge

It is reported that Al-Sha’bî said, “The only people who used to seek this knowledge were those who combined two characteristics: intelligence and devout worship. If a person was intelligent but not devout, it would be said that only the worshippers can attain this [knowledge], and so he would not try to seek it. And if a person was devout, but not intelligent, it would be said that only the intelligent can attain this [knowledge], and so he would not try to seek it.” Al-Sha’bî continued, “And I fear that today, people who are neither intelligent nor devout try to seek it.”

Ibn Hibbân Al-Bustî, Rawdatu Al-‘Uqalâ` wa Nuzhatu Al-Fudalâ` Vol.1 p9.

More:

1. At the Doorstep of Knowledge
2. Ignorance and the Sword
3. Intelligence in Action
4. Troubled Times [corrupt scholars]
5. Giving to spread Knowledge
6. I’m the Man [the youngster who puts himself forward]
7. The scholar, the ruler, and your brother