Signs of beneficial knowledge

Dhun Noon Al-Miṣri [D. 246 H.] said: «كان الرجل من أهل العلم يزداد بعلمه بغضا للدنيا وتركا لها، واليوم يزداد الرجل بعلمه للدنيا حبا ولها طلبا، وكان الرجل ينفق ماله على علمه، واليوم يكسب الرجل بعلمه مالا، وكان يرى على صاحب العلم زيادة في باطنه وظاهره، واليوم يرى على كثير من أهل العلم فساد الباطن والظاهر» “Previously a man of knowledge would resent and detach himself from this Dunyā the more he increased in knowledge, but now a man loves and desires the Dunya the more he increases in knowledge. Previously a man would spend his money on his knowledge, but now a man earns money with his knowledge. Previously knowledge was seen to improve a person of knowledge inwardly and outwardly, but now it is seen to corrupt many people of knowledge inwardly and outwardly.” [Al-Jāmi’ Li Shu’ab Al-Ēmān (1673)]