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The Ink of the Scholar Is Holier Than the Blood of the Martyr

Question

Is it true that Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) taught that “The ink of the scholar is holier than the blood of the martyr”.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Dear sister, the Hadeeth that you mentioned is weak. It was reported by As-Suyooti in his book entitled Al-Jaami’ As-Sagheer and he graded it as weak.

It is also mentioned by Ibn ‘Abd al-Bar in his book Jaami’ Bayaan Al-'Ilm wa Fadhluh, and it was mentioned by Ibn Al-Jawzi in his book Al-‘Ilal as well.

The wording of this Hadeeth as reported in Al-Jaami’ As-Sagheer is as follows: "The ink of scholars (used in writing) is weighed on the Day of Judgement with the blood of martyrs and the ink of scholars outweighs the blood of martyrs."

Indeed, Islam emphasizes seeking knowledge and insists on it and the Quran praises the scholars and knowledge. There are many sound Ahadeeth about the virtue of seeking knowledge. Also, Allah Says (what means): {Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?"} [Quran 39: 9]

However, for the Hadeeth you mentioned is weak.

Allah knows best.

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