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Quran Verses About Knowledge: What the Quran and Hadith Say

What does the Quran say about seeking knowledge?

The Quran opens Surah al-Alaq with the command “Read!” and names Allah as the One who taught by the pen (96:1–5). It teaches the prayer “Lord, increase me in knowledge!” (20:114), and Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2646 says whoever takes a path to seek knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.

Seven Quran passages, four hadith, and one Hisn al-Muslim dua on reading, asking, learning, and passing knowledge on.

Published by Madeenan Editorial · Updated · How Sources Are Reviewed

Knowledge in these sources is not a credential. It begins with a command to read, continues as a prayer for more, and is measured by what it does to the person who carries it: whether it brings awe, restraint, and benefit to others, or only confidence.

The passages and reports below were chosen because their own words speak about reading, asking, learning, and teaching. They are useful for a student starting out, for a parent explaining why learning matters, and for anyone who wants to know where a familiar saying about knowledge actually comes from. Each is shown with its Arabic text, translation, and reference.

What the Quran Says About Knowledge

These verses move from the command to read, to praying for more knowledge, to the honour and responsibility that come with it.

  1. Read! In the Name of Your Lord

    Opens with the command to read and names Allah as the One who taught by the pen and taught man what he did not know.

    Qur'an

    Qur'an 96:1–5

    اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ١
    خَلَقَ الْإِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ٢
    اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ٣
    الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ٤
    عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ٥

    Read! In the name of your Lord who created He created manfrom a clinging form Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One who taught by [means of] the pen who taught man what he did not know

  2. Lord, Increase Me in Knowledge

    The Prophet ﷺ is told not to rush the recitation and instead to say, “Lord, increase me in knowledge!”

    Qur'an

    Qur'an 20:114

    فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْآنِ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يُقْضَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ ۖ وَقُلْ رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا١١٤

    exalted be God, the one who is truly in control. [Prophet], do not rush to recite before the revelation is fully complete but say, ‘Lord, increase me in knowledge!’

  3. Raised by Many Degrees

    God will raise up, by many degrees, those who believe and those who have been given knowledge.

    Qur'an

    Qur'an 58:11

    يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انْشُزُوا فَانْشُزُوا يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ ۚ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ١١

    You who believe, if you are told to make room for one another in your assemblies, then do so, and God will make room for you, and if you are told to rise up, do so: God will raise up, by many degrees, those of you who believe and those who have been given knowledge: He is fully aware of what you do

  4. Are Those Who Know Equal?

    After describing someone who worships through the night, asks how those who know can be equal to those who do not.

    Qur'an

    Qur'an 39:9

    أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ ۗ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ٩

    What about someone who worships devoutly during the night, bowing down, standing in prayer, ever mindful of the life to come, hoping for his Lord’s mercy? Say, ‘How can those who know be equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who have understanding will take heed

  5. Knowledge and Awe

    Says it is those of His servants who have knowledge who stand in true awe of God.

    Qur'an

    Qur'an 35:28

    وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَابِّ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ كَذَٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ٢٨

    that there are various colours among human beings, wild animals, and livestock too? It is those of His servants who have knowledge who stand in true awe of God. God is almighty, most forgiving

  6. Do Not Follow What You Do Not Know

    Forbids following blindly what one does not know to be true; ears, eyes, and heart will all be questioned.

    Qur'an

    Qur'an 17:36

    وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا٣٦

    Do not follow blindly what you do not know to be true: ears, eyes, and heart, you will be questioned about all these

  7. Ask Those Who Know

    Tells people to ask those who have knowledge if they do not know.

    Qur'an

    Qur'an 16:43

    وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُوحِي إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ٤٣

    [Prophet], all the messengers We sent before you were simply men to whom We had given the Revelation: you [people] can ask those who have knowledge if you do not know

What the Hadith Say About Seeking Knowledge

Three reports are from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. One is from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, with each grader's verdict shown on its card.

  1. Understanding of the Religion

    If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion.

    Hadith

    Sahih al-Bukhari 71

    Sahih (Authentic)

    حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ عُفَيْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ قَالَ حُمَيْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ سَمِعْتُ مُعَاوِيَةَ، خَطِيبًا يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ، وَإِنَّمَا أَنَا قَاسِمٌ وَاللَّهُ يُعْطِي، وَلَنْ تَزَالَ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةُ قَائِمَةً عَلَى أَمْرِ اللَّهِ لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ مَنْ خَالَفَهُمْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ ‏"‏‏.‏

    Narrated Muawiya:I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion. I am just a distributor, but the grant is from Allah. (And remember) that this nation (true Muslims) will keep on following Allah's teachings strictly and they will not be harmed by any one going on a different path till Allah's order (Day of Judgment) is established

  2. A Path to Paradise

    Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him.

    Hadith

    Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2646

    Ahmad Muhammad Shakir: Sahih, Al-Albani: Sahih, Zubair Ali Zai: Sahih Muslim

    حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ ‏.‏

    Narrated Abu Hurairah:that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him

  3. Knowledge Like Rain

    Compares guidance and knowledge to rain on different land: some absorbs it, some holds it for others, some gains nothing.

    Hadith

    Sahih al-Bukhari 79

    Sahih (Authentic)

    حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَثَلُ مَا بَعَثَنِي اللَّهُ بِهِ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْعِلْمِ كَمَثَلِ الْغَيْثِ الْكَثِيرِ أَصَابَ أَرْضًا، فَكَانَ مِنْهَا نَقِيَّةٌ قَبِلَتِ الْمَاءَ، فَأَنْبَتَتِ الْكَلأَ وَالْعُشْبَ الْكَثِيرَ، وَكَانَتْ مِنْهَا أَجَادِبُ أَمْسَكَتِ الْمَاءَ، فَنَفَعَ اللَّهُ بِهَا النَّاسَ، فَشَرِبُوا وَسَقَوْا وَزَرَعُوا، وَأَصَابَتْ مِنْهَا طَائِفَةً أُخْرَى، إِنَّمَا هِيَ قِيعَانٌ لاَ تُمْسِكُ مَاءً، وَلاَ تُنْبِتُ كَلأً، فَذَلِكَ مَثَلُ مَنْ فَقِهَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ وَنَفَعَهُ مَا بَعَثَنِي اللَّهُ بِهِ، فَعَلِمَ وَعَلَّمَ، وَمَثَلُ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْفَعْ بِذَلِكَ رَأْسًا، وَلَمْ يَقْبَلْ هُدَى اللَّهِ الَّذِي أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ وَكَانَ مِنْهَا طَائِفَةٌ قَيَّلَتِ الْمَاءَ‏.‏ قَاعٌ يَعْلُوهُ الْمَاءُ، وَالصَّفْصَفُ الْمُسْتَوِي مِنَ الأَرْضِ‏.‏

    Narrated Abu Musa:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land)

  4. Knowledge Leaves With the Scholars

    Knowledge is taken away by taking the scholars, until people follow ignorant leaders who answer without knowledge.

    Hadith

    Sahih Muslim 6796

    Sahih (Authentic)

    حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ، اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ انْتِزَاعًا يَنْتَزِعُهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلَكِنْ يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بِقَبْضِ الْعُلَمَاءِ حَتَّى إِذَا لَمْ يَتْرُكْ عَالِمًا اتَّخَذَ النَّاسُ رُءُوسًا جُهَّالاً فَسُئِلُوا فَأَفْتَوْا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ فَضَلُّوا وَأَضَلُّوا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

    Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:Verily, Allah does not take away knowledge by snatching it from the people but He takes away knowledge by taking away the scholars, so that when He leaves no learned person, people turn to the ignorant as their leaders; then they are asked to deliver religious verdicts and they deliver them without knowledge, they go astray, and lead others astray

Dua for Beneficial Knowledge From Hisn al-Muslim

This entry is said after the salam of the fajr prayer. Madeenan shows each entry as recorded in the collection and does not attach a separate grade to it.

  1. Knowledge Which Is Beneficial

    Asks Allah for knowledge which is beneficial, sustenance which is good, and deeds which are acceptable.

    Dua

    Hisn al-Muslim 73

    ((اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عِلْماً نافِعاً، وَرِزْقاً طَيِّباً، وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً)) بَعْدَ السّلامِ مِنْ صَلاَةِ الفَجْرِ.

    (O Allah, I ask You for knowledge which is beneficial and sustenance which is good, and deeds which are acceptable.)(To be said after giving salam for the fajr prayer)

Learning Begins With Reading and Asking

Qur'an 96:1–5 repeats “Read!” twice and describes Allah as the One who taught by the pen and taught man what he did not know. The passage ties learning to its source before it says anything about the learner.

Qur'an 20:114 turns that into a prayer. The Prophet ﷺ is told not to rush the recitation but to say, “Lord, increase me in knowledge!” Qur'an 16:43 adds the ordinary step that many people skip: if you do not know, ask those who have knowledge. Not knowing is treated as a reason to ask, not as something to hide.

Knowledge Is Judged by What It Does

Qur'an 35:28 links knowledge to awe of God, and Qur'an 58:11 says those given knowledge are raised by many degrees. Sahih al-Bukhari 79 explains the difference in a picture: guidance falls like rain, and only some ground both absorbs it and grows something that benefits others. The report's first example is the person who learns and then teaches others.

The sources are just as clear about restraint. Qur'an 17:36 forbids following what one does not know to be true, and Sahih Muslim 6796 warns of a time when knowledge leaves with the scholars and people answer religious questions without knowledge. Seeking knowledge includes knowing where your own knowledge ends.

Sources Cited on This Page

  1. Qur'an 96:1–5 · Read! In the Name of Your Lord
  2. Qur'an 20:114 · Lord, Increase Me in Knowledge
  3. Qur'an 58:11 · Raised by Many Degrees
  4. Qur'an 39:9 · Are Those Who Know Equal?
  5. Qur'an 35:28 · Knowledge and Awe
  6. Qur'an 17:36 · Do Not Follow What You Do Not Know
  7. Qur'an 16:43 · Ask Those Who Know
  8. Sahih al-Bukhari 71 · Understanding of the Religion
  9. Jami at-Tirmidhi 2646 · A Path to Paradise
  10. Sahih al-Bukhari 79 · Knowledge Like Rain
  11. Sahih Muslim 6796 · Knowledge Leaves With the Scholars
  12. Hisn al-Muslim 73 · Knowledge Which Is Beneficial

Common Questions

What is the dua for knowledge in the Quran?

Qur'an 20:114 teaches the words “Lord, increase me in knowledge!” Hisn al-Muslim 73, said after the fajr prayer, asks Allah for knowledge which is beneficial, sustenance which is good, and deeds which are acceptable.

What does the hadith say about seeking knowledge?

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2646, graded sahih by the graders shown on its card, says whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah makes the path to Paradise easy for him. Sahih al-Bukhari 71 says that if Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the religion.

Does the Quran honour people of knowledge?

Qur'an 58:11 says God will raise up, by many degrees, those who believe and those who have been given knowledge, and Qur'an 39:9 asks, “How can those who know be equal to those who do not know?”

Is it wrong to speak about religion without knowledge?

Qur'an 17:36 says not to follow blindly what you do not know to be true, and Sahih Muslim 6796 warns that people who answer without knowledge go astray and lead others astray.

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