Question:
Assalamualaikum, what is the status of the hadith “Study even if one has to travel to China”?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Confirming the authenticity of a hadith is important for the Prophet PBUH narrates the warning against those who lie about his hadiths.
This is a famous hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
اطلُبُوا العِلْمَ ولو بالصينِ
“Go study even if one has to travel to China.”
The Status and Opinions of Scholars on the Hadith
Scholars have differing opinions in evaluating the status of this hadith and their opinions are as the following:
- Imam al-Sakhawi: This hadith is dhaif (weak). (al-Maqasid al-Hasanah, 93)
- Imam al-Baihaqi: The matan (text) is famous and its sanad is dhaif (weak). (Syu’ab al-Iman, 2:724)
- Imam al-Zurqani: This hadith is dhaif (weak). (Mukhtasar al-Maqasid, 109)
- Imam Ibn Hibban: This hadith is bathil and of no origin. (al-Majruhin, 1:489)
- Imam al-Syaukani: This hadith is fabricated. (al-Fawaid al-Majumu’ah, kitab al-Fadhail,272)
- Imam Ibn al-Jauzi: Evaluated the hadith as fabricated. (al-Mawdhu’at, 1:347)
Disposition
After considering the evaluation and opinions of scholars on this hadith, we choose to state that the hadith is too dhaif (weak) as stated by numerous scholars although Imam al-Suyuthi is of the opinion there are numerous routes from Anas RA which makes it a possibility that it is hasan. (al-Nukat, 43)
Application of the Hadith
Among matters that can be understood from the meaning of the hadith, it is wajib for the Muslim ummah to study, learn and travel or rehlah ‘ilmiyyah is among the sunnah al-Ulama’ in attaining knowledge. It can also be understood that the great distance a student travel shows the great hardship for the student in attaining the invaluable knowledge from scholars.
Lastly, may Allah SWT make us from among those who love knowledge and grant us understanding in religion as well as protect us from making any mistakes in conveying the hadith of the Prophet PBUH. Amin. Wallahua’lam.