Islam teaches that a good Muslim is one who always seeks to nurture himself with everything it needs for an efficient fulfillment of his role in life as God’s vicegerent on Earth, and the mind is surely one important constituent of the self, if not the most important after the heart, that needs to be cultivated, definitely, with knowledge.
The Pen was the first thing God created and then the Tablet. If this signifies anything, it tells of the importance and criticality of knowledge.
And in a further stress on the importance of knowledge, as a way of knowing Allah and getting on the straight path leading to salvation. the first word revealed onto the Prophet was “recite”.
“Recite: In the name of thy Lord who created man from a clot. Recite: And thy Lord is the Most Generous Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.”
— (Quran 96:1-5)
The term Qur’an itself is a derivative of the Arabic root “Qara’a”, or “read”, so it’s the book that is being recited.
Need more proofs? There are surely many, all asserting the link between Iman and being a good Muslim on the once hand and pursuing knowledge on the other.
Islam promotes pursuit of knowledge in all of its forms, and not just Islamic studies, but other fields and sciences as well. Indeed it is encouraged as a duty obliging every Muslim to seek after knowledge as long as he lives and as much as he can, no matter how far his pursuit would take him. And this is highlighted in abound of instances in the Qur’an and the Prophet’s Sunnah, for Muslims to heed.
No Hadith or Quranic verse can be more befitting this context than the famous saying by our beloved Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“Seek knowledge even in China”.
China is cited as a symbol of farther destinations. So the morale here is a clearcut command to seek Knowledge even if this requires going to the farthest destinations.
In another Hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), says:
“Seeking Knowledge is a duty on every Muslim.”
And when you come to think of it, knowledge is coherently tied to God’s command to contemplate and reflect on the wisdom of His, our Creator and His supreme powers that are evident in every inch of the universe. If we don’t acquire the tools that would help our minds comprehend such immense truths about creation and Allah, how else would we consider ourselves good Muslims carrying in our hearts strong faith in Almighty Allah.
And perhaps that’s why Allah (SWT) has elevated the stature of those “who know”, i.e., people of knowledge.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Say: … Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that receive admonition.” – (Qur’an 39:9)
Safwan ibn “Assaal al-Muraadi once came to the Prophet (pbuh) in the mosque and said: “ O Messenger of Allah, I have come seeking knowledge.” The Prophet (pbuh) told him:
“Welcome, O seeker of Knowledge! Truly the angles surround the seeker of knowledge with their wings, gathering around him in ranks one above the other, until they reach the first heaven, out of love for that which he seeks.”
Another instance in the Qur’an wherein Allah exhorts the merits of knowledge and its pursuit is in Surah Fatir (Surah 35), verse 28.
“… Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge.”
So having strong Iman is one virtue of having rich knowledge about Allah and His Creation.
There is a consensus among Ulemas or Islamic Scholars that Islam encourages Knowledge in all fields and sciences and not just Islamic studies, even though seeking Islamic knowledge is particularly commended.
Thus pursuing knowledge in a particular field of science that would help alleviate the pains of humans and heal their sickness is highly applauded and appreciated, as it raises the person upholding such mission in an elevated stature.
And in a similar manner, those who seek knowledge in whatever fields of secular sciences such as biology, astronomy, and the like, are acquainted with a unique chance to comprehend the supreme magnificence of God’s creation, those people’s Iman and faith should be asserted and more strengthened, having acquired a level of knowledge that unfolds new layers of truths about Allah’s incomparability and supremeness.
It’s a continuous process that never comes to a halt, regardless of the level of knowledge one reaches.
Imam Malik is reported to have said:
“No one has knowledge should stop seeking knowledge.”
Also once asked, “How long will you seek knowledge?” Imam Abdullah ibn Al Mubaarak answered, saying: “Until I die, for probably I have not yet learnt the things that will benefit me most.”
On a further note, Imam Abu Amir ibn Al Alaa was once asked: “For how long does it befit a man to seek knowledge?” He answered: “For as long as he has life in him.”
The companions of the Prophet, the ones we should look up to as role models after the great personalities of the Holy Prophets, never stopped seeking knowledge; they never felt their share of it was enough for them.
Knowledge is power, and lack of it puts one at great risks.
A general path of knowledge to be pursued is knowing Allah and learning the Law He has ordained. Yet this doesn’t necessarily mean that we all have to carve our specialty in Shariah and Islamic Jurisprudence. But we’ve got to know the elements constituting the religion we follow, and by extension acquiring the tools that help us getting such knowledge, i.e. knowing how to read the Qur’an well so as to understand it and demystify its meanings, and by another extension seek God’s help in fulfilling His commands as ordained in His law.
It goes without saying that humanity needs specialists in other fields of life. Carving a specialty in one of those sciences would definitely serve the uppermost role entrusted to every Muslim; that is developing life on earth, provided that such knowledge would be applied in a way that would bring benefit to humanity and not mess with the order of the universe, as first set by Allah.
And no matter how troubling or uneasy seeking knowledge is, always remember its virtues and the stature it grants its seeker. It’s a source of light on the path of attaining salvation in this life and the hereafter.
Hence, whenever seeking after knowledge gets challenging and tough, refer to Allah and ask Him to make it lighter on your heart, easier on your capacity, and say:
“O my Lord! Advance me in Knowledge.” – (Qur’an 20:114)
Wassalaam,
Maha Youssuf
Posted on: 3 June, 2011