When knowledge doesn't benefit:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

A. When knowledge doesn’t benefit:

1. it is a sign of following the footsteps of Shaitaan:

Shaitaan knew that it is Allaah تعالى who created him and Aadam عليه السلام. He acknowledge that Allaah تعالى is the Creator, but when the time came to obey His commands, he refused. Thus Allaah تعالى said:

﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ﴾

{O you who Believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaitaan} [Surah al-Noor (24): 21]

2. it is a sign of following the footsteps of the Jews:

One of the many crimes of the Jews was that they concealed knowledge. They knew that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم was a true Messenger. They knew this better than they knew their own sons. But alas! They are those about whom Allaah تعالى said:

﴿غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ﴾

{not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. the Jews} [Surah al-Faatihah (1): 7]

3. it is a sign of following the footsteps of Abu Jahl:

`Amr bin Hishaam bn al-Mugheerah, from the tribes of Quraish, was one of the Chiefs of Makkah. Before Islaam, he was known for his knowledge and wisdom. His kunya (nickname) was Abu al-Hakam (father of wisdom) [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3632, 3950)]. But when his knowledge did not benefit him, he was nicknamed as Abu Jahl (father of ignorance).

4. it is a sign of following the footsteps of Fir`aoun (PHARAOH):

Fir`aoun and his people acknowledged and understood that the message which Moosaa عليه السلام brought was the truth, but they wronged themselves and out of arrogance belied these Aayaat. Allaah تعالى said:

﴿وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا ۚ فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ﴾

{And they (Fir`aoun and his people) belied them (those Aayaat) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Aayaat) are from Allaah, and Moosaa عليه السلام is the Messenger of Allaah in truth, but they disliked to obey Musa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidun (disbelievers, disobedient to Allah, evil-doers, liars.).} [Surah al-Naml (27): 14]

B. Not seeking knowledge:

1. It is the sign of following the footsteps of The CHRISTIANS:

Among the Christians are those who love to do good; but the problem is that they lack proper knowledge which prevents them from differentiating the truth from the falsehood. So Allaah تعالى said about them:

﴿وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ﴾

{nor of those who went astray} [Surah al-Faatihah (1): 7]

2. It is the sign of following the footsteps of THE KUFFAAR:

The Kuffaar during the time of Nooh عليه السلام would insert their fingers in their ears so that they do not hear what Nooh عليه السلام was preaching.

﴿وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا ۚ إِنَّا مِنَ الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ﴾

{And who does more wrong than he who is reminded of the Ayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of his Lord, then he turns aside there from? Verily, We shall exact retribution from the Mujrimoon (criminals, sinners)} [Surah al-Sajdah (32): 22]

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ عِلْماً نَافِعاً، وَرِزْقاً طَيِّباً، وَعَمَلاً مُتَقَبَّلاً

Allaahumma  innaa  nas-aluka `ilman naafi`an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa `amalan mutaqabbalan.

O Allaah, we ask You for beneficial knowledge, a good provision, and deeds that will be accepted.