Ibn Abbas and the Path of Humility in Seeking Knowledge
Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) passed away in the year 68 Hijri in Taif. He was the cousin of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and is counted among the greatest scholars of the companions. Despite his noble lineage and close relationship to the Prophet ﷺ, his rank in knowledge was not inherited — it was earned through humility, persistence, and disciplined effort.
Ikrimah narrates that after the death of the Prophet ﷺ, Ibn Abbas said to a man from the Ansar, “Come, let us ask the companions of the Messenger of Allah and seek knowledge from them, for today they are many.” The man responded dismissively, questioning why people would need them when many companions were still alive.
Ibn Abbas did not allow this attitude to affect him. He devoted himself to seeking knowledge. When he heard that a companion possessed a hadith, he would go to his house. Often he would find the companion resting during the midday heat. Rather than disturb him, Ibn Abbas would fold his cloak as a pillow and sit patiently at the door while dust blew over him. When the companion would come out and see him waiting, he would say, “O cousin of the Messenger of Allah, why did you not send for me? I would have come to you.” Ibn Abbas would reply, “No. It is more appropriate that I come to you.” He would then ask about the hadith.
The man who had initially declined to join him later saw Ibn Abbas addressing large gatherings of people and acknowledged his distinction. This account is mentioned in Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah.
His humility became the foundation of his authority. Although he was the nephew of the Prophet ﷺ, he placed himself at the doors of the companions to acquire knowledge. His conduct demonstrates that lineage does not replace effort, and status does not remove the need for humility.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself sought refuge from knowledge that does not benefit, saying: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from knowledge that does not benefit.” (Muslim)
Beneficial knowledge is not mere memorisation. It is knowledge that illuminates the heart and enables discernment between truth and falsehood. Imam al-Shafi‘i (رحمه الله) is reported to have said that he complained to Waki‘ about his weak memory, and Waki‘ advised him to abandon sins, stating that knowledge is light and the light of Allah is not granted to a sinner. This reflects the connection between purity of conduct and retention of knowledge.
The process of receiving revelation itself reflects the reality of striving. When Jibril (عليه السلام) first came to the Prophet ﷺ with revelation, he embraced him firmly and commanded him to read. This occurred repeatedly before the first verses were revealed. The narration is recorded in al-Bukhari and Muslim. The scholars mention that effort, endurance, and seriousness accompany the reception of sacred knowledge.
The rank of Ibn Abbas became widely recognised among the companions. It is narrated that when companions differed on an issue, they would often refer to his opinion. Mujahid reported that he was called “al-Bahr” (the ocean) due to the vastness of his knowledge. Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) directed questioners to Ibn Abbas, describing him as the most knowledgeable among those remaining regarding what Allah revealed to Muhammad ﷺ. These reports are mentioned in works such as Al-Isabah.
Similarly, Urwah ibn al-Zubayr (رحمه الله), who passed away in 93 Hijri and was among the prominent Tabi‘in, described how he would hear that a man from the Muhajirin possessed a hadith. He would go to his home, find him resting, and sit at his door until he emerged, then ask him about the narration. This account appears in Tarikh al-Islam.
Across these biographies, a consistent principle emerges: humility precedes elevation. The companions and the Tabi‘in did not view waiting at doors, travelling distances, or enduring discomfort as beneath them. Rather, they considered such actions necessary components of serious scholarship.
Final Reflection
The life of Ibn Abbas and those who followed him establishes that true advancement in sacred knowledge is inseparable from humility, patience, and disciplined effort. Authority in knowledge was not self-declared but recognised by others after sustained striving. These accounts preserve for students of knowledge a clear methodological principle: beneficial knowledge is acquired through humility, perseverance, moral refinement, and direct engagement with scholars.
