Al-Kāfi

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah from ‘Isa ibn ‘Abdallah al-‘Amri that Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory.”

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman that one of his people asked Abul Hasan (al-Kadhim) عليه السلام, "Is it permissible for people not to seek what (religious knowledge) they need?”. He replied, “No [it's not permissible]."

4. Ali ibn Muhammad and others have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa all from Ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from Abu Hamza from Abu Ishaq al-Subay‘i from someone who narrated to him that he (the narrator) heard Amir al-Mu'minin عليه السلام say, "O people! Know that the perfection of religion is seeking knowledge and acting by it. Surely seeking knowledge is more pertinent to you than seeking wealth. Wealth is apportioned and ensured to you. A just allocator divided it amongst you, has ensured it and will be faithful to that apportionment. [Whereas] knowledge is treasured with its people and you have been ordered to seek it from its people, so seek it."

5. A number of our people has narrated has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from Abu ‘Abdillah, one of our people narrated in a marfu‘ manner from Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) عليه السلام that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory.” In another hadith, Abu 'Abdillah عليه السلام narrated that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim. Let it be known that Allah loves those who seek knowledge.”

6. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn Abi Hamza that he heard Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) عليه السلام say, "Acquire good understanding in religion because those of you who do not have good understanding in religion are like the Bedouins. Allah has said in His book, ‘Why do not some people from each group of believers seek to become specialists in religious learning and, after completing their studies, guide their group so that they will have fear of God. (9:122)’”

7. Al-Hassan ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad from al-Qasim ibn al-Rabi‘ from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar that he heard Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) عليه السلام say, "It is necessary for you to have a good understanding of the religion of Allah. Do not be like the Bedouins, because those who do not gain a good understanding of the religion, Allah will not look at them on the Day of Judgement, and none of their deeds will be cleansed."

8. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Jamil ibn Durraj from Aban ibn Taghlib that Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) عليه السلام said, "I would have even liked that my companions' heads are lashed with whips for them to gain a comphrensive understanding [of the religion].

9. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from one who narrated to him that Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) عليه السلام was asked, "May I be your ransom, there is a man who believes in this issue (i.e. the imamah of Ahlul-bayt), but locks himself at home and does not acquaint himself with his community.” So he said, “How will he achieve a good understanding of his religion [without talking to the knowledgable people of his community]?".