By Imaam ibn Rajab al-Hanbali [d.795H]
Imaam Ahmad, may Allaah have mercy upon him, used to say about Ma’ruf, ‘He possesses the foundation of knowledge: the fear of Allaah.’ Therefore the foundation of knowledge is that knowledge which leads to fearing Him, loving Him, drawing close to Him, taking comfort with Him, and ardently desiring Him. Then this is followed by knowledge of the rulings of Allaah, all that He loves and is pleased with from the servant of statement, action, spiritual condition, and belief. Whoever realises these two types of knowledge has found beneficial knowledge; he has attained beneficial knowledge, a fearful heart, a content soul, and a supplication responded to.
