Why knowledge comes first

From The Book of Knowledge.

1. "And he صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "A chapter of knowledge which a man learns is better for him than the world and what is in it. He صلى الله عليه وسلم urged: "Seek knowledge." The Virtue of Teaching The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim. He also mentioned, "Knowledge is treasures, its keys are questions."

   — Imam al-Ghazali, Book 1: The Book of Knowledge

2. "The most noble sciences are the knowledge of Allah Almighty, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the path leading to these sciences. One should strive for nothing but this knowledge. The Book of Knowledge: the first book of the Revival of the Religious Sciences, by Imam al-Ghazali. Chapter One: On the Virtue of Knowledge, Teaching, Learning, and Its Evidences from Revelation and Reason The Virtue of Knowledge Its Evidences from the Qur'an: Allah, Glorious and Exalted, says: "Allah bears witness that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge, upholding justice."

   — Imam al-Ghazali, Book 1: The Book of Knowledge · playable in the free preview

3. "When asked why, the man explained that he had a dream where a voice questioned his neglect of knowledge, saying, "May Allah neglect you. He responded that he memorized knowledge, but the voice replied, "Preserving knowledge is acting upon it. This led him to focus on action rather than just seeking more knowledge. Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, emphasized that true knowledge is not about the abundance of narration but about the fear of Allah."

   — Imam al-Ghazali, Book 1: The Book of Knowledge