Reported by Muʿāwiyyah (رضي الله عنه): The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Whoever Allāh wants good for, He grants him understanding of the religion.” Its authenticity is agreed upon [by al-Bukhārī and Muslim].^[1]

This ḥadīth is from the greatest texts evidencing the virtue and excellence of Islamic knowledge, that it is an indicator for the happiness of an individual, and that Allāh has wanted good for him.

Understanding of the religion encompasses understanding the foundations of īmān, the legislations and rulings of Islām, and the realities of iḥsān, for the religion encompasses these three [levels]. As in the ḥadīth of Jibrīl when he asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) about īmān, Islām and īḥsān, he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) replied by mentioning their definitions, explaining īmān with its six foundational [pillars], Islām with its five pillars, and that īḥsān is to worship Allāh as though one sees Him, and even though one cannot see Him, Allāh most certainly sees him.^[2]

Hence, the ḥadīth encompasses gaining understanding of the correct ʿaqīdah, knowing the doctrine of the Salaf, and embodying it inwardly and outwardly, alongside knowing the [deviant] doctrines of those who oppose Ahl al-Sunnah and clarifying their opposition to the Qurʾān and Sunnah.

Additionally, from what is encompassed by this ḥadīth is gaining understanding of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), its foundations and branches, the rulings of acts of worship and dealings and knowledge of Islamic criminal law.

Similarly, the ḥadīth encompasses understanding the realities of īmān and the upright path which leads to Allāh which is concordant with what the Qurʾān and Sunnah entail.

Lastly, from what is included within this ḥadīth is learning the beneficial means which aid one in gaining understanding of the religion, such as the diverse sciences of the Arabic language. Whoever Allāh wants good for, he bestows upon him understanding of these matters and grants him success in learning them.

It is understood from the ḥadīth that Allāh does not intend good with he who utterly turns away from these sciences, as he has been deprived of the means by which goodness and happiness can be attained.^[3]