Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

Xli ibn Abi T&lib 351
(&) drew acontrast between knowledge and wealth on the basis that
Islamic knowledge is the most important thing for those who focus
on the hereafter; for them, it is the ultimate ambition and honour in
this world and in the hereafter. What is meant by wealth here is that
which a person accumulates because of his love for it, which he does
not use in ways that are pleasing to Allah and in accordance with the
laws of his Lord. 'Ali(4)
justified his view on the following bases:
(a) Knowledge protects a person, whereas the one who owns wealth
is the one who has to protect it. The way in which knowledge
protects a person is that religious knowledge protects him from
the things that lead to doom in this world and in the hereafter.
With regard to the hereafter, the meaning is obvious and well
known, as this knowledge leads a person to the pleasure of AUah
(&) and to paradise, and it helps him to avoid the path that leads
to hell. What a great achievement for a person to seek, and what
great gains there may be. As for protection from that which leads
to doom in this world, it is true spiritual happiness that cannot be
achieved except by means of certain faith, before which the
entire world and its troubles become insignificant. All of the
grief and calamities become coolness and peace for those who
have certain faith, because they ignore it and pay no heed, while
these misfortunes and disasters turn life into hell for those who
regard this life as their capital and profit. With regard to the
meaning of the owner of wealth protecting his wealth, that is
quite obvious. How much are the wealthy controlled by worries
and fears for their wealth, to the extent that they become sick and
they continue to guard their wealth with wony, anxiety and
exhausting grief?161 Knowledge gives insight and enables one to
choose what is best, to draw lessons from the nations of the past
and to live in accordance with these lessons. Knowledge
broadens the horizons and enables one to understand differences
of opinions and determine which are acceptable; it helps one to