Theme
العلم
Knowledge
al-'Ilm
The Companions asked questions, sometimes about matters others felt too shy to raise, and kept asking until they understood. They wrote down what they heard, travelled to check a report at its source, and said "Allah knows best" when they did not know.
The practices here are about learning well: asking, verifying before you share, and teaching what you know to someone who needs it.
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا نَافِعُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي مُلَيْكَةَ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَتْ لاَ تَسْمَعُ شَيْئًا لاَ تَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ رَاجَعَتْ فِيهِ حَتَّى تَعْرِفَهُ، وَأَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ" مَنْ حُوسِبَ عُذِّبَ". قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ أَوَ لَيْسَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ …
“Whenever `Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) heard anything which she did not understand, she used to ask again till she understood”
79 practices from 52 companions
Open any practice to read it in full on the Companion's page, with the Arabic and English text of every source.
Abd al-Rahman ibn Awfعبد الرحمن بن عوف
Passing on knowledge he had
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Share the knowledge you have when it is needed.
Sit with this Is there knowledge you hold that someone needs right now?
Abd al-Rahman ibn Awfعبد الرحمن بن عوف
Giving truthful testimony
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Say what you know exactly as you know it.
Sit with this Can you say what you know exactly as you know it, no more and no less?
Abdullah ibn Abbasعبد الله بن عباس
Watching and learning the night prayer
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Learn one part of qiyam, even a few rak'ahs, from the Sunnah and keep to it.
Sit with this Which part of the Prophet's night prayer could you learn and keep?
Abdullah ibn Abbasعبد الله بن عباس
Asking Allah for understanding
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Ask Allah regularly for understanding, and then act on the knowledge you gain.
Sit with this Do you ask Allah for understanding as often as you ask for provision?
Abdullah ibn al-Zubayrعبد الله بن الزبير
Asking Aisha and acting on the Prophet's wish
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Learn what the Prophet wanted and act on it when you can.
Sit with this Is there something you know the Prophet ﷺ loved that you could act on this week?
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Asعبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص
Writing down knowledge
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Take notes on what you learn, and keep your knowledge in writing.
Sit with this Where do the good things you learn end up, and how many have you already forgotten?
Abdullah ibn Mas'udعبد الله بن مسعود
Learning when and why each verse was revealed
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When you read a verse, look up its context too, so you read it as it was first understood.
Sit with this Do you know where and why the verses you love were revealed?
Abdullah ibn Mas'udعبد الله بن مسعود
Travelling for better knowledge
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However much you know, keep a teacher or a better-informed person in your sights.
Sit with this Who knows more than you, and how could you reach them?
Abdullah ibn Mas'udعبد الله بن مسعود
One reminder a week, not more
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Share good reminders in small, well-timed doses so they are welcomed rather than tiring.
Sit with this Are your reminders to others well timed, or too frequent to be welcome?
Abdullah ibn Mas'udعبد الله بن مسعود
Saying 'Allah knows best' when you do not know
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Admit what you do not know. It builds trust, and keeps you learning.
Sit with this When did you last say "Allah knows best" instead of guessing?
Abdullah ibn Mas'udعبد الله بن مسعود
Using knowledge for others
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Teach one thing you know, today, to someone who will benefit.
Sit with this What one thing you know could you teach someone today?
Abdullah ibn Salamعبد الله بن سلام
Refusing to speak without knowledge
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Be careful about praising yourself or others beyond what you know, and keep humble.
Sit with this When were you last praised for something you knew was not quite true?
Abdullah ibn Salamعبد الله بن سلام
Seeking the best of deeds
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Do not only discuss what is best; act on it, and watch that your words match your deeds.
Sit with this Is there a good deed you talk about more than you do?
Abdullah ibn Umarعبد الله بن عمر
Verifying a ruling at the source
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If a hadith is mentioned that contradicts what you do, check it at the source and follow it.
Sit with this When you hear a ruling that surprises you, do you check it, or dismiss it?
Abdullah ibn Umm Maktumعبد الله بن أم مكتوم
Teaching the Quran
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Teach what you know of the Quran, wherever you are.
Sit with this What portion of the Quran could you teach to someone else?
Abdullah ibn Umm Maktumعبد الله بن أم مكتوم
Seeking guidance eagerly
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Seek out knowledge actively.
Sit with this How eagerly do you go looking for guidance?
Teaching and checking the Quran
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Recite to a teacher and check your recitation, rather than relying on yourself.
Sit with this Who could listen to your recitation and gently correct it?
Abu Ayyub al-Ansariأبو أيوب الأنصاري
Asking about what is lawful
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Ask instead of guessing about halal and haram, and take the answer as given.
Sit with this What question about halal and haram have you been answering by guesswork?
Staying close to the people of knowledge
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Protect a fixed time for learning and make it the last thing you give up.
Sit with this What fixed time for learning will be the last thing you give up?
Patience in hunger
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Do not let a hard situation pull you away from your learning or prayers.
Sit with this What hardship is pulling you away from your learning or prayer?
Hosting in Ramadan
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Invite someone for iftar this week and share something you have learned.
Sit with this Whom could you invite for iftar, and what could you share with them after?
Abu Lubabah ibn Abd al-Mundhirأبو لبابة بن عبد المنذر
Passing on the Prophet's rule at once
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Correct a mistake with knowledge, kindly and quickly.
Sit with this How could you correct someone today so that they feel helped, not caught out?
Abu Musa al-Ash'ariأبو موسى الأشعري
Serving and passing on the Prophet's blessings
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Stay beside the people of knowledge and take from their manners as well as their words.
Sit with this Whose manners, not just words, are you learning from right now?
Abu Musa al-Ash'ariأبو موسى الأشعري
Traveling far for the deen
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Set out toward knowledge even if the route is not the one you planned.
Sit with this How far would you travel to learn something that matters?
Adi ibn Hatim al-Ta'iعدي بن حاتم الطائي
Asking about things that confuse you
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Ask when you do not understand a command, and apply the explanation.
Sit with this What have you misunderstood that one honest question could clear up?
Adi ibn Hatim al-Ta'iعدي بن حاتم الطائي
Learning the rules of what you do for a living
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Know the halal and haram of your own work and ask scholars about its details.
Sit with this Do you know the halal and haram of the way you earn your living?
Aisha bint Abi Bakrعائشة بنت أبي بكر
Asking until she understood
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Do not leave a religious matter half-understood; ask.
Sit with this What religious question have you left half-understood?
Leaving what is doubtful for what is certain
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When you are unsure whether something is right, step back.
Sit with this What doubtful thing could you step back from today?
Staying away from sadaqah as a member of the Prophet's family
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Learn the boundaries early; teach children them gently.
Sit with this How do you teach children boundaries gently and early?
al-Shifa bint Abdullahالشفاء بنت عبد الله
Teaching literacy to others
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Share what you know, starting with reading and writing.
Sit with this Who could you teach to read, write or learn something new?
al-Shifa bint Abdullahالشفاء بنت عبد الله
Teaching a ruqya at the Prophet's request
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Pass on beneficial knowledge freely.
Sit with this What beneficial knowledge are you keeping to yourself?
Ali ibn Abi Talibعلي بن أبي طالب
Teaching wudu by demonstrating it
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Teach by doing: when you want someone to learn a practice, show them the practice in full.
Sit with this Who could you teach by showing rather than telling?
Ali ibn Abi Talibعلي بن أبي طالب
Strict honesty in reporting the Prophet
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Do not pass on a religious claim you are not sure of; verify before you share.
Sit with this Do you check a religious claim before you forward it?
Ali ibn Abi Talibعلي بن أبي طالب
Knowledge from the Book and understanding
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Hold to the Quran, and ask Allah for understanding, rather than chasing secret or special knowledge.
Sit with this Are you looking for special knowledge when the Quran is still waiting to be understood?
Learning from correction
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When you realise you did something imperfectly, learn the correct way and teach it.
Sit with this What did you get wrong recently that you could now learn and teach properly?
Asking what matters most
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Ask what matters most to Allah and His Messenger, and accept the answer without taking offence.
Sit with this Can you hear an honest answer you did not hope for without taking offence?
Noting and passing on the Prophet's character
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Pay attention to good character in those around you and pass it on.
Sit with this Whose good character could you describe to someone today?
Asking what to do after childbirth on a journey
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Ask the specific question and follow the answer; your question may benefit others.
Sit with this What question have you not asked because it felt too specific?
Asma bint Yazid al-Ansariyyahأسماء بنت يزيد الأنصارية
Asking the Prophet and the Companions what she did not know
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Do not be shy about asking when you do not know. Your question may help many.
Sit with this What question are you too shy to ask that others may also need answered?
Asma bint Yazid al-Ansariyyahأسماء بنت يزيد الأنصارية
Memorising the recitation as she heard it
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Listen to the recitation closely and keep it exact.
Sit with this How carefully do you listen when the Quran is recited?
Accepting correction in business
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Check the rules of a transaction before you make it, and accept correction without ego.
Sit with this Do you check the rules of a deal before you make it, and accept correction after?
Fatimah bint Qaysفاطمة بنت قيس
Asking the Prophet directly about her situation
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When in doubt about a right or duty, ask a qualified person and accept the ruling.
Sit with this Is there a right or duty in your life you have never asked a scholar about?
Fatimah bint Qaysفاطمة بنت قيس
Carrying knowledge faithfully
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If you hear something worth knowing, listen carefully and pass it on accurately.
Sit with this When you pass on what you heard, how careful are you with the exact words?
Asking the Prophet directly
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Ask about the things you do not understand, and pass on the answer.
Sit with this What have you seen others do in worship that you have never asked about?
Hudhayfah ibn al-Yamanحذيفة بن اليمان
Asking about evil in order to avoid it
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Learn what harms your faith as seriously as what benefits it, and ask before you act.
Sit with this Do you know what harms your faith as well as what helps it?
Jabir ibn Abdullahجابر بن عبد الله
Carrying the Prophet's Hajj precisely
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Learn Hajj and other worship from detailed, reliable sources, and teach it carefully.
Sit with this Where do you learn the details of your worship, and are they reliable?
Khabbab ibn al-Arattخباب بن الأرت
Watching the prayer closely and learning from it
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Pay close attention to details of the Sunnah, and teach them as you learned them.
Sit with this What detail of the Prophet's prayer have you never noticed?
Khadijah bint Khuwaylidخديجة بنت خويلد
Seeking knowledgeable counsel
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When something is beyond your knowledge, take it to someone who knows.
Sit with this What is beyond your knowledge that you should take to someone who knows?
Khalid ibn al-Walidخالد بن الوليد
Asking before acting on a religious matter
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Do not leave a doubt about halal and haram unasked; ask the person who knows.
Sit with this What doubt about halal and haram could you ask about today?
Khawlah bint Tha'labahخولة بنت ثعلبة
Asking and following the ruling of Allah and His Messenger
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Accept the ruling, even when it differs from custom or your first expectation.
Sit with this Which ruling do you resist because it differs from custom?
Maymunah bint al-Harithميمونة بنت الحارث
Preparing water for the Prophet's ghusl
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Learn the sunnah ghusl and teach it to your household.
Sit with this Does your household know how to do ghusl as the Prophet ﷺ did?
Maymunah bint al-Harithميمونة بنت الحارث
Giving sadaqah
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Give sadaqah to the household help or the poor around you and teach them how to use it well.
Sit with this Who around you could you give to, and help to use it well?
Maymunah bint al-Harithميمونة بنت الحارث
Removing doubt with a small act
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Solve a confusing situation with a simple, practical action.
Sit with this What confusion could you clear up with one simple, practical act?
Teaching with ease and good news
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Teach gently, starting with the essentials.
Sit with this When you teach, do you make things easy and begin with the essentials?
Teaching the Quran where it was needed
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Teach what you know of the Quran to someone, even just a few verses.
Sit with this Who could you teach a few verses to this month?
Nusaybah bint Ka'b (Umm Ammarah)نسيبة بنت كعب (أم عمارة)
Asking about women's place in the revelation
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Ask honest questions about your faith.
Sit with this What honest question about your faith have you been holding back?
Asking for a ruling instead of acting on feeling
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Bring strong feelings to a scholar and accept the answer.
Sit with this When feelings run high, do you seek a ruling before you act?
Safiyyah bint Huyayyصفية بنت حيي
Completing the Hajj obligations before departing
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Learn the order and requirements of your acts of worship so you complete them properly.
Sit with this Do you know the order and requirements of the worship you are about to do?
Knowing and teaching the rule on self-defence
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Know your rights and limits in protecting yourself and those in your care.
Sit with this Do you know your rights and limits in protecting those in your care?
Learning the etiquette of everyday life
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Learn the small manners of the sunnah; they train you for the large ones.
Sit with this Which small everyday manner of the Sunnah could you learn this week?
Sawda bint Zam'ahسودة بنت زمعة
Taking a concern straight to the Prophet
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Bring your worry to the right person at once and trust the answer.
Sit with this What worry could you bring straight to the right person today?
Sawda bint Zam'ahسودة بنت زمعة
Asking permission and using the concession
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Use a religious concession when you truly need it, and ask first.
Sit with this Is there a concession you need but have not asked about?
Greeting the praying person correctly
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Know the adab of greeting around people who are praying.
Sit with this Do you know how to greet someone who is in prayer?
Talha ibn Ubaydullahطلحة بن عبيد الله
Learning the basics of Islam and carrying them forward
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Know the basic duties and hold to them.
Sit with this Are you holding firmly to the basic duties before the extras?
Talha ibn Ubaydullahطلحة بن عبيد الله
Bringing his own sacrificial animal to Hajj
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Prepare your acts of worship in advance rather than hoping for them.
Sit with this Which act of worship could you prepare for in advance rather than leave to chance?
Thabit ibn Qaysثابت بن قيس بن شماس
Speaking for the truth when called
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If you have a gift for speaking, use it for truth and for those who cannot speak.
Sit with this Could a gift you have be used to speak for those who cannot?
Holding fast to what he learned from the Prophet
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Be confident in knowledge you have received from reliable teachers, while staying open to correction.
Sit with this Can you be confident in what you learned and still open to correction?
Umm Atiyyah al-Ansariyyahأم عطية الأنصارية
Washing and shrouding the dead with care
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Learn how to wash and shroud the dead; it is a service to the community.
Sit with this Do you know how to wash and shroud the dead?
Umm Habibah bint Abi Sufyanأم حبيبة رملة بنت أبي سفيان
Asking the Prophet about permissible family matters
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Ask before acting on a family wish, and accept the ruling.
Sit with this Before acting on a family wish, have you asked what is permitted?
Umm Habibah bint Abi Sufyanأم حبيبة رملة بنت أبي سفيان
Using the Prophet's concession for the weak at Muzdalifah
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Know the rulings of Hajj and use the concessions for weak travellers.
Sit with this Do you know the concessions available to the weak and elderly?
Umm Haram bint Milhanأم حرام بنت ملحان
Passing on what she learned
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Share beneficial knowledge you have heard, even if brief.
Sit with this What beneficial thing have you heard that you could pass on today?
Asking questions without embarrassment
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Ask a scholar about the thing you are too shy to ask.
Sit with this What question are you too shy to ask?
Giving calm, practical counsel
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When people are stuck, show them the action instead of arguing the point.
Sit with this When people are stuck, could you show them the action instead of arguing?
Umm Sulaym bint Milhanأم سليم بنت ملحان
Asking about religion without shyness
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Do not let embarrassment stop you from asking what you need to know about your religion.
Sit with this What do you need to know about your religion that embarrassment keeps you from asking?
Learning and teaching the Quran
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Learn a little Quran each day and pass something on to someone else.
Sit with this What little of the Quran could you learn today and pass on?
Writing down revelation
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If you hear something worth preserving, write it down, so others can benefit.
Sit with this What worth preserving could you write down today?
Treating the Quran with extreme care
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Handle sacred knowledge with care: verify, cross-check, and do not rush.
Sit with this Do you verify before you pass on sacred knowledge?
Learning what the community needs
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Learn a skill your community actually needs, such as a language or writing, and put it to use for the good.
Sit with this What skill does your community need that you could learn?
Memorising and passing on what he heard
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Memorise one hadith this week and share it with someone else.
Sit with this Which hadith could you memorise this week and share?
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