"Knowledge or Wealth"

Once 10 learned men approached Ali ibn Talib radhian Allahu anhu and said:

"We seek your permission to put a question to you."

Ali radhian Allahu anhu replied, "You are at perfect liberty."

They asked, "Of knowledge and wealth, which is better and why? Please give separate answer to each of them them."

Ali radhian Allahu anhu gave the following answers:

1] Knowlege is the legacy of The Prophet sallaahu 'alayhi wa salaam, wealth is the inheritance of the Fir'aun. Therefore, knowledge is better than wealth.

2] You are to guard your wealth BUT knowledge guards you. So knowledge is better.

3] A man of wealth has many enemies while a man of knowledge has many friends. So knowledge is better.

4] Knowledge is better bcoz it increases it's distribution, while wealth decreases by that act of spending or giving out.

5] Knowledge is better bcoz a learned man is apt to be generous, while a wealthy person is apt to be miserly/stingy.

6] Knowledge is better bcoz it cannot be stolen while wealth can be stolen.

7] Knowledge is better bcoz time cannot harm knowledge BUT wealth rust in course of time and wares away.

8] Knowledge is better bcoz it is boundless, while wealth is limited and you keep account of it.

9] Knowledge is better bcoz it illuminates the mind while wealth is apt to blackened it.

10] Knowledge is better bcoz it induced humanity through our Prophet sallaahu 'alayhi wa salaam to say, "Allaah we worship Thee as we are Your servants", while wealth endangered in Fir'aun and Namrud, the vanity which made them claim God headed.