What is the status of this Hadith?
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever increases his knowledge without increasing his contempt for this world only gets further from Allah Ta’ala”
Answer
This narration has been recorded with variations in the wording. Imam Daylami (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration with the words cited above on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu). ‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has declared the chain weak. Despite that, the Hadith may be quoted for encouragement purposes.
(Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 140. Also see: Kashful Khafa, Mukhtasar Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 993, Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 8397, Ithafus Sadah Al Muttaqin, vol. 1 pg. 351 and Tadhkiratul Mawdu’at, pg. 24)
Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration as the statement of Hasan Al Basri (rahimahullah).
(Rawdatul ‘Uqala, pg. 35, Jami’u Bayanil ‘Ilmi Wa Fadlihi, vol. 1 pg. 539)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar