Act upon your knowledge and you will profit

Beautiful piece of naseeha from Al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi

Act upon your knowledge and you will profit

O man Knowledge does not benefit so long as one does not perfect his actions Knowledge is beauty and Taqwa (Fear) of Allah is its decoration


Those with Taqwa are always preoccupied with their knowledge


The proof of Allah, O possessor of knowledge, is immense


Neither plotting nor scheming concerning it is of any use


Acquire knowledge and perform deeds as much as you can


And do not let vain pastimes and argumentation distract you


Always make it your goal to benefit the people


And beware, beware of fatigue and weariness overtaking you


Admonish your brother with gentleness when he makes a mistake


For knowledge is affectionate with those who are overcome by errors


And if you are amidst a people that have no religious morals


Then command them to do good when they act ignorantly (i.e. sin)


And if they disobey you, then remind them without getting annoyed


And be patient, strive in patience and do not let their actions worry you


For every goat is attached to its two feet


Have patience whether they are oppressive or fair.”






al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi’s ‘Iqtida’ al-’Ilm al-’Amal’