Comparison between jihad and seeking knowledge
Question

                Is one who study in a islamic university a Mujahid?

If he die but not join jihad is he shaheed or not?

Which is more ajr do jihad or become alem and give fatwas and make mujahideens?
Praise be to Allah.
	Firstly: 

	Seeking Islamic knowledge by means of which the Muslim may 
	know the limits prescribed by that which Allah sent down to His Messenger, 
	and thus know what is lawful and what is prohibited, and know the rulings on 
	contracts and interactions of various kinds, and what he must believe, and 
	other matters in all the various areas of Islamic knowledge, is one of the 
	noblest and most sublime of aims and goals, especially if he acquires this 
	knowledge then teaches it to people. 

	Seeking knowledge is a kind of jihad for the sake of Allah, 
	especially at the present time when there is a great deal of ignorance, 
	innovations are widespread and unqualified people are in positions to issue 
	fatwas.

	Please see the answer to question no. 
	20092 

	At-Tirmidhi (2685) narrated – and classed the report as 
	saheeh – from Abu Umaamah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger 
	of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Verily Allah, His 
	angels, and the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in 
	its hole and even the fish, send blessings upon the one who teaches the 
	people good things.”

	Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh at-Tirmidhi. 

	If a person studies Islamic knowledge, according to the way 
	of Ahl as-Sunnah, in Islamic universities, with the intention of acquiring 
	knowledge and teaching it to people, seeking reward with Allah, and hoping 
	for the ultimate reward, is undoubtedly one of those who strive in jihad for 
	the sake of Allah, especially if he is in a country where there is a great 
	deal of innovation, little knowledge, and widespread ignorance. Seeking 
	knowledge in that country is one of the greatest kinds of jihad for the sake 
	of Allah. 

	Secondly: 

	If the one who strives in jihad attains the status of 
	martyrdom by being killed for the sake of Allah, he will not necessarily 
	attain a higher status than the seeker of knowledge. The seeker of knowledge 
	may become prominent in knowledge and become a scholar, by means of whom 
	Allah may benefit the entire ummah in a way that cannot be achieved by means 
	of jihad and being killed for the sake of Allah. 

	Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

	Becoming a martyr by being killed for the sake of Allah, may 
	He be glorified and exalted, does not necessarily bring a greater reward 
	than that of the seeker of knowledge, and it does not mean that the martyr 
	is better than the seeker of knowledge in all respects. 

	This issue was referred to by al-‘Allaamah Ibn al-Qayyim in
	an-Nooniyyah: If a man is distinguished in a particular way, that 
	does not necessarily mean that he is superior in all respects. 

	Although the martyr is distinguished by having attained 
	martyrdom for the sake of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, the 
	interests of the ummah may be served and the call of Islam may be spread at 
	the hands of the seekers of knowledge and the scholars in ways that cannot 
	be achieved by the martyrs. 

	Do you not see how Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah 
	have mercy on him) benefitted the ummah? If we look at many of the martyrs, 
	we will see that they did not bring as much benefit to the ummah as was 
	brought by the knowledge of Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on all of 
	them). 

	End quote from Majmoo‘ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-‘Uthaymeen 
	(25/306-307) 

	Thirdly: 

	The difference between jihad for the sake of Allah and 
	seeking knowledge varies according to circumstances. In cases in which jihad 
	is an individual obligation, then jihad is better than seeking knowledge; in 
	fact it is an obligatory duty to opt for it.

	But in cases where jihad is a communal obligation, then 
	seeking knowledge is better. 

	It also varies from one person to another. If a person has 
	the characteristics of bravery, courage and the ability to inflict harm on 
	the enemy, then in his case jihad is better, especially if his understanding 
	of various issues of knowledge is weak. 

	But if a person is serious about seeking knowledge, is quick 
	to understand, has a good memory and is well-known for brilliance in that 
	field, then in his case seeking knowledge is better, especially if he is 
	physically weak and does not have sufficient ability to learn the skills of 
	war and fighting. 

	Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

	Undoubtedly seeking Islamic knowledge is one of the best 
	righteous deeds, and in fact is equivalent to jihad for the sake of Allah, 
	as Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, says (interpretation of the 
	meaning):

	“And it is 
	not (proper) for the believers to go out to fight (Jihad) all together. Of 
	every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left 
	behind) may get instructions in (Islamic) religion, and that they may warn 
	their people when they return to them, so that they may beware (of evil)”

	[at-Tawbah 9:122].

	So Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, explained that the 
	believers cannot all mobilise in jihad for the sake of Allah, because that 
	would lead to losing out on other benefits that are essential for Islam. 

	So seeking Islamic knowledge is undoubtedly equivalent to 
	jihad for the sake of Allah. 

	But the scholars differed as to which of them is better: 
	knowledge or jihad? Undoubtedly the benefits of knowledge are more 
	far-reaching than the benefits of jihad, because the benefit of jihad, if it 
	is achieved, only affects a particular part of the earth, whereas knowledge 
	benefits all people. So in terms of benefit, knowledge is better than jihad, 
	but despite that, we may say that for some people jihad is better in their 
	case than seeking knowledge, but to others we would say that seeking 
	knowledge is better in their case than jihad. This may be explained further 
	by giving examples: if there is a brave and strong man who has knowledge of 
	the arts of war, but when it comes to seeking knowledge he has a poor 
	memory, knowledge is difficult for him and his understanding is weak, then 
	in his case we would say that jihad is better because it is more 
	beneficial. 

	And if there is another man who is not so courageous, and 
	does not have knowledge of the skills of war, but he has a strong memory and 
	is able to understand well and come up with strong arguments that convince 
	people, then in this case we would say that seeking knowledge is better for 
	him. 

	So to sum up: 

	·       
	
	seeking knowledge is equivalent to jihad for the sake of 
	Allah

	·       
	
	which of them is better varies from one person to 
	another. For some people we would say that jihad is better, and for others 
	we would say that seeking knowledge is better, according to what the 
	situation dictates.

	End quote from Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh (2/164)

	For more information, please see also the answer to question 
	no. 128163

	Fourthly:

	The reward for the one who strives and the extent to which it 
	is multiplied is known only to Allah. It will be in accordance with the 
	individual’s intention, sincerity, adherence to the Sunnah, and the extent 
	of the beneficial impact and good consequences of his deeds. The mujaahid 
	may attain a greater reward because of his ability to inflict harm and 
	defeat on the enemy, and because of his courage and strong resolve, combined 
	with his good intention, his eagerness to make the word of Allah supreme, 
	and his willingness to sacrifice his wealth and his life for the sake of 
	Allah.

	The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon 
	him) said: “The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is prayer and its 
	pinnacle is jihad.”

	Narrated by at-Tirmidhi (2616) and others; classed as saheeh 
	by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, no. 413

	But the scholar may earn a greater reward for teaching people 
	sound ‘aqeedah, beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds – including jihad – 
	as well as his spreading the Sunnah and refuting the followers of bid‘ah 
	(innovation).

	The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: 
	““Whoever calls others to guidance will have a reward like that of those who 
	follow it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.” 
	Narrated by Muslim (2674)

	For more information, please see also the answer to question 
	no. 10471

	And Allah knows best.