The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophets and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)"
Tafsir of the Hadith on Knowledge
This profound hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (79) presents a comprehensive analogy describing how different people receive divine knowledge. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) compares the guidance and knowledge sent by Allah to abundant rain falling upon three types of land.
The Three Types of Land
First Type: Fertile soil that absorbs rainwater and produces abundant vegetation - representing those who understand Allah's religion, benefit from knowledge, learn it thoroughly, and then teach others.
Second Type: Hard ground that holds rainwater - symbolizing those who preserve knowledge and allow others to benefit from it for their spiritual needs, though they may not produce additional knowledge themselves.
Third Type: Barren land that neither holds water nor produces vegetation - depicting those who neither accept divine guidance nor benefit from it, remaining spiritually barren.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars explain that this hadith emphasizes the hierarchy of knowledge seekers. The highest category comprises those who understand, implement, and transmit knowledge. The middle category includes those who preserve and share knowledge. The lowest category consists of those who reject divine guidance entirely.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that this analogy demonstrates the comprehensive nature of prophetic guidance, which benefits all creation according to their capacity to receive it, just as rain benefits different types of land according to their nature.