Is it true, as circulated among students of knowledge, that teachers and students abandon the performance of the Maghrib supererogatory prayer when studying after Maghrib, arguing that seeking knowledge is better than performing a supererogatory prayer?

The correct path for a seeker of knowledge is that which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and his companions, and the scholars after them followed. This involves eagerness for supererogatory acts of worship, adherence to virtues, and commitment to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

A deserving seeker of knowledge should act upon what he learns and be at the forefront of people in obedience and worship.

A seeker of knowledge must be wary of a mistaken understanding of the scholars' saying that seeking knowledge is better than supererogatory acts of worship, as this could lead to abandoning supererogatory acts and shortcomings in worship.

Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi said: "Knowledge is a tree, and action is its fruit. One who does not act upon his knowledge is not considered learned. So do not feel comfort in action as long as you are estranged from knowledge, and do not feel comfort in knowledge as long as you are negligent in action. Rather, combine the two, even if your share of them is small."

Some of the Salaf (early Muslims) did not like for a seeker of knowledge to occupy himself except with the knowledge he needed to act upon in his day and night.

Scholars believe that seeking knowledge is better than supererogatory acts of worship, and there is no contradiction between them. If a seeker of knowledge does not have a significant share of supererogatory acts, especially the regular Sunnah prayers (Sunan Ratibah), then that is an indication of his lack of sincerity and poor understanding.

Imam Al-Dhahabi said: "Whoever is sincere to Allah in seeking knowledge, and has a good mind, then knowledge is more deserving, but with a share of prayer and worship. If you see him diligent in seeking knowledge, yet with no share in acts of closeness [to Allah], then this is a lazy, despicable person, and he is not truthful in his good intention."

A seeker of knowledge should not leave himself devoid of acts of worship, and he should have a regular portion of each of them, for they are a means of assistance in what he has undertaken.

If engaging in knowledge is preferable, then he should firmly commit to continuously performing the Sunnah prayers and the regular ones (ratibah) and whatever is supplementary to the obligatory prayers, as well as making up missed prayers if he has any.

He should maintain the Duha prayer (forenoon prayer), night prayers (qiyam al-layl), and regular fasting, and not make excuses that he is busy seeking knowledge.