Its important to know the phases of a thought which leads to an action and even a legacy.
Imam Ibn ul Mubarak (May Allah have Mercy on him) nicely summarised these phases as:
- Ilm: Knowledge
- An-niyyah : Intention
- Al-isimaa’ah : Full attentiveness
- Al-fahm : Understanding
- Al-hifdh : Memorisation
- Al-‘amal : Action
- An-nashr : Spreading knowledge
– Jaami’ul bayaan al ailm wa fadhlahu
The Prophet(SAW) taught us that “the example of that knowledge which is not benefited from is like that treasure which isnt spent.” [Tabarani]
