The Superiority Of The Knowledge Of The Predecessors Over The Knowledge Of The Successors

This is the third book in the “Classical Knowledge Series” which is a collection of works written by the scholars of the past on the virtues, etiquettes and aspects of knowledge. This particular book written by the great scholar, Al-Haafidh Ibn Rajab, is one of the well known works authored on the subject. In spite of its small size, the treatise brings to light many amazing and intricate points of benefit with regard to knowledge and discerning between which of its types are beneficial and non-beneficial. Indeed, the Prophet praised some forms of knowledge while condemning others. And at times he would ask Allaah to grant him beneficial knowledge while at other times he would seek refuge in Him from non-beneficial knowledge.

It is for this reason that the author took on the task of clarifying the various types, characteristics, signs and consequences of both beneficial knowledge and non-beneficial knowledge in this short treatise, as well as affirming the superiority of the knowledge of the predecessors (Salaf) over the knowledge of those who succeeded them (Khalaf).

Altogether, this is a splendid and remarkable book – loaded with reminders and admonitions and designed to assist and guide any sincere Muslim in his quest for seeking knowledge.