Knowledge in Islam and how to seek it

In this article we'll try to shed some light on knowledge from Islamic
perspective. Generally speaking, the Arabic word for knowledge is
'ilm, which, in most cases, indicates to Islamic knowledge or matters
related to Sheree'ah )Islamic Law(. Although, some of the Quranic
verses in this article refer to Islamic knowledge, yet they are
general in their meaning, and thus can be used to refer to learning in
general.
The importance of education is a none disputable matter. Education is
the knowledge of putting one's potentials to maximum use. One can
safely say that a human being is not in the proper sense till he/she
is educated.
This importance of education is basically for two reasons. The first
is that the training of a human mind is not complete without
education. Education makes man a right thinker. It tells man how to
think and how to make decision.
The second reason for the importance of education is that only through
the attainment of education, man is enabled to receive information
from the external world; to acquaint himself with past history and
receive all necessary information regarding the present. Without
education, man is as though in a closed room and with education he
finds himself in a room with all its windows open towards the outside
world.
This is why Islam attaches great importance to knowledge and
education. When the Quran began to be revealed, the first word of its
first verse was 'Iqra' that is, read. Allaah says, )what means(:"Read!
In the Name of your Lord Who has created )all that exists(. He has
created man from a clot )a piece of thick coagulated blood(. Read! And
your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught )the writing( by the
pen. He has taught man that which he knew not"]Quran, 96: 1-5[
Education is thus the starting point of every human activity. Allaah
created man and provided him with the tools for acquiring knowledge,
namely hearing, sight and wisdom. Allaah says )what means(:"And Allaah
has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know
nothing. And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you might
give thanks )to Allaah("]Quran, 16:78[
A knowledgeable person is accorded great respect in many prophetic narrations.
Because of the importance of knowledge, Allaah commanded His
Messengerto seek more of it. Allaah says )what means(:"and say: `My
Lord! Increase me in knowledge"]Quran, 20:114[
The Prophetmade seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim, and
heexplained that the superiority of the one who has knowledge over the
one who merely worships is like the superiority of the moon over every
other heavenly body. Hesaid that the scholars are the heirs of the
Prophets and that the Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention did not
leave behind any money, rather their inheritance was knowledge, so
whoever acquires it has gained a great share. Furthermore, the
Prophetsaid that seeking knowledge is a way leading toParadise.
Hesaid:"Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allaah
will make a path toParadiseeasy for him.")Al-Bukhaari(
For example the Quran repeatedly asks us to observe the earth and the
heavens. This instills in man a desire to learn natural science as
well. All the books of Hadeeth have a chapter on knowledge. In Saheeh
Al-Bukhaari there is a chapter entitled "The virtue of one who
acquires learning and imparts that to others."
Islam calls us to learn all kinds of beneficial knowledge. Branches of
knowledge vary in status, the highest of which is knowledge of
Sharee'ah )Islamic Law(, then other fields of knowledge, such as
medicine, etc.
This is the knowledge )Sharee'ah( with which Allaah honoured His
Messenger; He taught it to himso that he might teach it to
mankind:"Indeed, Allaah conferred a great favour on the believers when
He sent among them a Messenger )Muhammad( from among themselves,
reciting unto them His Verses )the Quran(, and purifying them )from
sins by their following him(, and instructing them )in( the Book )the
Quran( and Al-Hikmah ]the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet )i.e.
his legal ways, statements and acts of worship([, while before that
they had been in manifest error"]Quran, 3:164[
How great importance is attached to learning in Islam, can be
understood from an event in the life of the Prophet. At the battle of
Badr in which the Prophetgained victory over his opponents, seventy
people of the enemy rank were taken prisoner. These prisoners of war
were literate people. In order to benefit from their education the
Prophetdeclared that if one prisoner teaches ten Muslims how to read
and write, this will serve as his ransom and he will be set free. We
can freely say that this was the first school in the history of Islam
established by the Prophethimself with all its teachers being
non-Muslims. Furthermore, they were all war prisoners.
On the one hand Islam places great emphasis on learning, on the other,
all those factors which are necessary to make progress in learning
have been provided by Allaah. One of these special factors is the
freedom of research. One example of it is that in Makkah, the
birthplace of the Prophetdates were not grown. Afterwards the
Prophetmigrated to Madeenah, the city of dates. One day the Prophetsaw
that some people were atop the date trees busy in doing something. On
being asked what they were engaged in, they replied that they were
pollinating.
The Prophetsuggested them not to do so. The following year date yield
was considerably very low. The Prophetenquired them of the reason.
They told him that the date crop depended on pollination. Since
hesuggested them to do otherwise, they had refrained from that. The
Prophetthen told them to go on doing as they used to, and that, "You
know the worldly matters better than me." )Al-Bukhaari(
Also we should know that there is no goodness in knowledge which is
not confirmed by actions or words which are not confirmed by deeds,
Allaah the Almighty says )what means(:"O you who believe! Why do you
say that which you do not do? Most hateful it is with Allaah that you
say that which you do not do"]Quran, 61: 2-3[
Knowledge brings a great reward. The one who points the way to
something good is like the one who does it. When the knowledgeable
person dies, his reward with Allaah does not cease when he dies,
rather it continues to increase so long as people benefit from his
knowledge. The Prophetsaid:"When a man dies, all his deeds come to an
end except for three — an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge or a
righteous child who will pray for him.")Muslim(
On other side, a person without knowledge is like someone walking
along a track in complete darkness. Most likely his steps will wander
aside and Satan can easily deceive him. This shows that our greatest
danger lies in our ignorance of Islamic teachings in the first place
and in our unawareness of what the Quran teaches and what guidance has
been given by the Prophet.
On the other hand, if we are blessed with the light of knowledge we
will be able to see plainly the clear path of Islam at every step of
our lives. We shall also be able to identify and avoid the dangerous
paths of disbelief, Shirk )associating with Allaah( and immorality,
which may cross it. And, whenever a false guide meets us on the way, a
few words with him will quickly establish that he is not a guide who
should be followed.
Knowledge is pursued and practiced with modesty and humility and leads
to dignity, freedom and justice.
The main purpose of acquiring knowledge is to bring us closer to our
Creator. It is not simply for the gratification of the mind or the
senses. It is not knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Knowledge
accordingly must be linked with values and goals.
One of the purposes of acquiring knowledge is to gain the good of this
world, not to destroy it through wastage, arrogance and in the
reckless pursuit of higher standards of material comfort.
Six etiquettes of learning
lbn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyahsaid: "There are six stages to knowledge:
Firstly: Asking questions in a good manner.
Secondly: Remaining quiet and listening attentively.
Thirdly: Understanding well.
Fourthly: Memorising.
Fifthly Teaching.
Sixthly- and it is its fruit: Acting upon the knowledge and keeping to
its limits."
Conclusion
According to Quranic perspective, knowledge is a prerequisite for the
creation of a just world in which authentic peace can prevail. In the
case of country's disorder or war the Quran emphasizes the importance
of the pursuit of learning, Allaah says )what means(:"Nor should the
believers all go forth together: if a contingent from every expedition
remained behind, they could devote themselves to studies in religion,
and admonish the people when they return to them - that thus they )may
learn( to guard themselves )against evil(."]Quran, 19:122[