What is Sunan Ibn Majah 4303 about?

This hadith from Sunan Ibn Majah (Book of The Book of the Sunnah), narrated by It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:, states: ""Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim, and he who imparts knowledge to those who do not deserve it, is like one who puts a necklace of jewels, pearls and gold around the neck of swines.""

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Hasan. Hasan hadiths are considered good and acceptable in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan Ibn Majah, which contains 4,345 hadiths across 38 books. It is hadith number 4303 in the Book of The Book of the Sunnah.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

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#4302

#4303

Sunan Ibn Majah

#4304

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Sunan Ibn Majah #4303

The Book of the Sunnah

Hasan

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا كَثِيرُ بْنُ شِنْظِيرٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ "‏ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ وَوَاضِعُ الْعِلْمِ عِنْدَ غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ كَمُقَلِّدِ الْخَنَازِيرِ الْجَوْهَرَ وَاللُّؤْلُؤَ وَالذَّهَبَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

"Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim, and he who imparts knowledge to those who do not deserve it, is like one who puts a necklace of jewels, pearls and gold around the neck of swines."

Narrated by It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

Context

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) stresses the obligation of seeking knowledge for every Muslim. He warns against imparting knowledge to those who are unworthy, comparing it to giving precious jewels to swine. This highlights the ethical responsibility of both acquiring and sharing knowledge wisely.

Modern Application

In modern contexts, this principle encourages individuals to seek knowledge actively and share it with those who are genuinely interested and capable of understanding. This can be particularly relevant in teaching prayer and faith, ensuring that knowledge is passed on responsibly.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Ethical Responsibility and Seeking Knowledge because it emphasizes the duty of acquiring knowledge and the moral implications of sharing it appropriately.

Ethical Responsibility Seeking Knowledge

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ القَصَصِ

Al-Qasas (The Stories)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمَ وَيْلَكُمْ ثَوَابُ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌۭ لِّمَنْ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا وَلَا يُلَقَّىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلصَّٰبِرُونَ

But those who had been given knowledge said, "Woe to you! The reward of Allah is better for he who believes and does righteousness. And none are granted it except the patient."

سُورَةُ عَبَسَ

Abasa (He frowned)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَأَمَّا مَن جَآءَكَ يَسْعَىٰ

But as for he who came to you striving [for knowledge]

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

۞ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِنَّ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْأَحْبَارِ وَٱلرُّهْبَانِ لَيَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَٰلَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ ٱلذَّهَبَ وَٱلْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنفِقُونَهَا فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍۢ

O you who have believed, indeed many of the scholars and the monks devour the wealth of people unjustly and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment.

سُورَةُ الأَعۡرَافِ

Al-A'raaf (The Heights)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

خُذِ ٱلْعَفْوَ وَأْمُرْ بِٱلْعُرْفِ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ ٱلْجَٰهِلِينَ

Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.

سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ

Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

۞ وَمِنْ أَهْلِ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مَنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِقِنطَارٍۢ يُؤَدِّهِۦٓ إِلَيْكَ وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ إِن تَأْمَنْهُ بِدِينَارٍۢ لَّا يُؤَدِّهِۦٓ إِلَيْكَ إِلَّا مَا دُمْتَ عَلَيْهِ قَآئِمًۭا ۗ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا۟ لَيْسَ عَلَيْنَا فِى ٱلْأُمِّيِّۦنَ سَبِيلٌۭ وَيَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ

And among the People of the Scripture is he who, if you entrust him with a great amount [of wealth], he will return it to you. And among them is he who, if you entrust him with a [single] silver coin, he will not return it to you unless you are constantly standing over him [demanding it]. That is because they say, "There is no blame upon us concerning the unlearned." And they speak untruth about Allah while they know [it].

Common Words

91 total73 unique12 repeated

ٱلله4x

من4x

إن3x

سبيل3x

ٱلذين2x

ولا2x

إلا2x

عن2x

فى2x

تأمنه2x

يؤده2x

إليك2x

وقال1x

أوتوا1x

ٱلعلم1x

ويلكم1x

ثواب1x

خير1x

لمن1x

ءامن1x

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About Sunan Ibn Majah

This hadith is #4303 from Sunan Ibn Majah, in the Book of The Book of the Sunnah. It is graded Hasan and narrated by It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:.

Browse all Sunan Ibn Majah All Hadith Collections

Sunan Ibn Majah #4303

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sunan Ibn Majah

About This Hadith