Prayer TimesThe saying "Seek knowledge even if it is in China" is widely known among people. Some hadith scholars have classified this hadith as weak, while others have described it as "fabricated and baseless."
Although there are differing scholarly opinions about the text and chain of this hadith, its meaning is sound. Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim, both men and women. The Qur'an and the hadiths of the Prophet (ﷺ) place great emphasis on the pursuit of knowledge.
The very first verse of the Qur'an commands, "Read!"—encouraging the acquisition of knowledge.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman," thus making it clear that the pursuit of knowledge applies to women as well.
In our Sharia, knowledge is highly valued because it leads to goodness in both this world and the Hereafter. The phrase "Seek knowledge even if it is in China" does not imply any special virtue of China or its people. At that time, China was a distant land from the Arabs. The meaning here is, "Even if knowledge is as far away as China, seek it." It cannot be definitively stated that the Prophet (ﷺ) actually said this. Claiming that the Messenger of Allah said something he did not is a serious sin.
Medet QURMASHULY
"Iman" magazine, No. 5, 2024
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.