Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “The search for knowledge is an obligation laid on every Muslim, but he who commits it tothose who are unworthy of it is like one who puts necklaces of jewels,pearls and gold on swine.” Ibn Majah transmitted it. Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman up to the word “Muslim”, saying that thisis a tradition whose text is well known but whose isnad is weak, it beingtransmitted by many ways all of which are weak.

good behaviour and knowledgeof religion.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who goes out insearch of knowledge is in God’s path till he returns.” Tirmidhi andDarimi transmitted it.

Sakhbara al-Azdi reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyoneseeks knowledge, it will be an atonement for past sins.” Tirmidhi andDarimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying that this is a tradition whoseisnad is weak, and that Abu Dawud the transmitter is declared to beweak.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “A believer will never be satisfied with the good he hears till he reachesparadise.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who isasked about something he knows and conceals it will have a bridle of fireput on him on the day of resurrection.” Ahmad, Abu Dawud andTirmidhi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Anas.

Ka'b b. Malik reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyoneseeks knowledge to use it in vying with the learned, or disputing withthe foolish, or to attract men’s attention to himself, God will bring himinto hell.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it fromIbn ‘Umar.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyoneacquires knowledge of things by which God’s good pleasure is sought,but acquires it only to get some worldly advantage, he will not experience the ‘arf, i.e. the odour, of paradise on the day of resurrection.”Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

sincere action for God’s sake, good counsel to Muslims, and hold-ing fast to their community, for their invitation includes those who arebeyond them.” Shafi‘i transmitted it, also Baihaqi in al-Madkhal.Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it fromZaid b. Thabit, but Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud did not mention, “Thereare three things on account of which no rancour enters..." to the end.

Ibn Mas'ud said that he heard God’s messenger saying, “Godbrighten a man who hears something from us and conveys it to othersas he heard it, for many a one to whom it is brought retains it betterthan the one who heard it.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it,and Darimi transmitted it from Abu Darda'.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Be on your guardabout tradition from me, except what you know; for he who lies aboutme deliberately will certainly come to his abode in hell.” Tirmidhitransmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Ibn Mas'ud and Jabir,but did not mention, “ Be on your guard about tradition from me, exceptwhat you know.”

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Let him whointerprets the Qur’an in the light of his opinion come to his abodein hell.” A version has, “Let him who interprets the Qur’an withoutknowledge come to his abode in hell.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Jundub reported God’s messenger as saying, “ If anyone interpretsthe Qur’an in the light of his own opinion and is right, he has erred.”Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Disputationabout the Qur’an is infidelity.” Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

they set parts of God’s Book against others, whereas God'sBook was sent down only to be consistent; so do not use parts to falsifyothers. Speak about as much of it as you know, but where you are ignorant entrust it to him who knows.” Ahmad and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God's messenger as saying, “The Qur'an wassent down in seven modes. Every verse in it has an external and aninternal meaning, and every interdiction has a source of reference.”Baghawi transmitted it in Sharh as-sunna.

a precise verse, or an established sunna, ora firm obligatory duty. Anything else is an extra.” Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

‘Auf b. Malik al-Ashja‘i reported God’s messenger as saying, "Onlya ruler, or one put in charge, or one who is presumptuous gives instruction."* Abu Dawud transmitted it, and Darimi transmitted it from ' Amr b. Shu'aib from his father from his grandfather. A version has, "Or a hypocrite” instead of "one who is presumptuous”. *The word used here is yaqussu, which may be translated as given above, but which may alsobe translated as “inflicts punishment.”

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone isgiven a legal decision ignorantly, the sin rests on the one who gave it;and if anyone advises his brother, knowing that right guidance lies inanother direction, he has deceived him.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Mu'awiya said that the Prophet forbade the discussion of thornyquestions. Abu Dawud transmitted it.