Imam Sadiq (as) on Knowledge

Knowledge is the basis of every sublime state and the culmination of
every high station. That is why the Holy Prophet said, 'It is the duty of
every Muslim, man and woman, to seek knowledge,' that is, the knowledge
of precaution (taqwa) and certainty. Imam 'Ali [a] said, “Seek

knowledge, though it be in China,” meaning the knowledge of genesis of
the self, in it is contained knowledge of the Lord.


The Holy Prophet said, 'Whoever knows his own self knows his Lord;
moreover, you should acquire that knowledge without which no action
is correct, and that is sincerity … We seek refuge with Allah from knowledge
which has no benefit', that is, from knowledge which is contrary to
actions performed with sincerity.


Know that a small amount of knowledge requires a great deal of action,
because knowledge of the Hour requires the person who has such
knowledge to act accordingly during his entire life. ‘Isa [a] said, 'I saw a
stone on which was written, "Turn me over", so I turned it over. Written
on the other side was "Whoever does not act by what he knows will be
doomed by seeking what he does not know, and his own knowledge will
be turned against him."


Allah revealed to David, 'The least that I shall do to someone with
knowledge who does not act by his knowledge is worse than the seventy
inner punishments which result in My removing from his heart the
sweetness of My remembrance.' There is no way to Allah except via
knowledge. And knowledge is the adornment of man in this world and
the next, his driver to Paradise, and by means of it he attains Allah's contentment
with him.

He who truly knows is the one in whom sound actions,pure supplications, truthfulness sand precaution speak out;not his tongue, his debates,
his comparisons, assertions or claims. In times other than these, those
who sought knowledge were those who had intellect, piety, wisdom,
modesty and caution; but nowadays we see that those who seek it do not
have any of these qualities. The man of knowledge needs intellect, kindness,
compassion, good counsel, forbearance, patience, contentment and
generosity;while anyone wishing to learn needs a desire for knowledge,
will, devotion (of his time and energy), piety, caution, memory and
resolution.

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Reference: Lantern of Path, Hadith on Knowledge - Imam Sadiq (as)