The precedence of knowledge over action is emphasized by Imam al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him. He stated: “Chapter: Prioritizing knowledge over speech and action,” citing as evidence the words of Allah. ﷻ:

﴿فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مُتَقَلَّبَكُمْ وَمَثْوَاكُمْ﴾ [محمد: 19]

Know therefore that in truth there is no god but Allah and ask forgiveness for your sin, as well as for the believing men and women. Allah knows your activities (in this worldly life) and your place of rest (in the hereafter) ﴿ (Muhammad: 19)

Certainly! Here’s a short speech to encourage Muslims to seek religious knowledge based on the legacy of the pious Salaf: 

Brothers and sisters in Islam,

In our journey of faith, one of the most noble pursuits we can undertake is the pursuit of knowledge. And not just any knowledge, but the sacred knowledge that illuminates our hearts, strengthens our connection with our Creator, and guides us along the path of righteousness.

Our pious predecessors, the Salaf  were not only devout worshippers but also relentless seekers of knowledge.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim and Muslima.”

This obligation isn’t limited to a select few; it is incumbent upon each one of us. Knowledge empowers us to worship Allah with sincerity, to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom, and to uphold the teachings of Islam in an ever-changing world. 

The Salaf understood this deeply. They spent their lives in pursuit of knowledge, traveling far and wide, sacrificing comfort and ease, all in the quest for a deeper understanding of their faith.. 

Following in their footsteps, our Markaz prioritizes the seeking of knowledge to help students dedicate time every day to study the Quran, delve into the teachings of our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him), and learn from the rich tradition of Islamic scholarship. 

Remember, seeking knowledge is not just a duty; it is a means of drawing closer to Allah, of attaining His pleasure, and ultimately, of achieving success in this life and the Hereafter. 

May Allah bless us all with the zeal for seeking knowledge and grant us the wisdom to apply it in our lives. 

Here are some methods for gaining beneficial knowledge:

• Devoting time to learning and receiving instruction.
• Continuously reviewing and reinforcing learned concepts.
• Engaging in extensive reading of beneficial literature.
• Documenting the religious insights acquired, especially from lengthy texts that may be challenging to revisit.
• Exploring the multitude of religious teachings highlighting the virtues of knowledge, emphasizing its significance, and underscoring the immense rewards, esteemed reputation, and commendable outcomes awaiting those whose intentions are purified by Allah and who are granted success.
• Recognizing the profound expertise of our teachers, earned through their extensive educational journeys guided by scholars and mentors. Their vast experience in imparting knowledge to diverse audiences equips them to effectively teach various subjects, including religious sciences, the Quran, Arabic language, and other worldly disciplines, with the permission and guidance of Allah.

Here are some of the texts we cover in our center:

• Kitab al-Tawhid
• Al-Usul al-Thalathah
• Al-Usul al-Sittah
• Al-Qawa’id al-Arba’ah
• Al-Arba’un al-Nawawiyyah
• Al-Baquniyyah
• Al-Arjuzah al-Mi’iyah