Islam is a religion of knowledge. Islam gives too much importance to seeking knowledge. Knowledge is the key to success. Seeking knowledge is better than any value in the world. It protects us from many difficulties. It has many benefits in this world and also in the hereafter. Knowledge is the base of our lives, and religious knowledge is pleasant, appropriate, and gives pleasure to us because we came to know about our Lord. The Quran, repeatedly calls on the believers to seek knowledge, Allah says:
وَلَن تَرْضَىٰ عَنكَ الْيَهُودُ وَلَا النَّصَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى اللَّهِ هُوَ الْهُدَىٰ وَلَئِنِ اتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَاءَهُم بَعْدَ الَّذِي جَاءَكَ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا نَصِيرٍ
“And never will be pleased with you the Jews and [not] the Christians until you follow their religion. Say, “Indeed, (the) Guidance (of) Allah, it (is) the Guidance.” And if you follow their desires after what has come to you of the knowledge, not for you from Allah any protector and not any helper.” (Surah Al-Baqara,120)
Knowledge is more important than wealth and property. We must know what is permissible and impermissible in daily life. A person must also learn how to purify their hearts and deeds from guilty traits. Muslims must know how to purify their hearts from the love of wealth, status, and fame, and how to make one’s love for Allah alone.No wonder, knowledge is among the important things which Allah (SWT) directed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to pray that he will be granted more of it. Allah says:
وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ النُّجُومَ لِتَهْتَدُوا بِهَا فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا الْآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
“And He (is) the One Who made for you the stars that you may guide yourselves with them in the darkness[es] (of) the land and the sea. Certainly, We have made clear the Signs for people (who) know. (Surah Al-Anam, 6:97)
Knowing should not be a reason for being arrogant. We must also learn the soaring manners taught to us by the religion Islam, and try to live our lives according to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). When someone tries to learn while it is hard for him/her, they will surely receive the double reward from Allah Almighty because they put a lot of effort into seeking it. Teaching others is one of the good deeds that will get us great rewards even after death. Having more knowledge about ourselves and the world makes us feel more humble before the greatness of the creation of Allah (SWT).
Here are some pleasures of seeking knowledge:
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- Knowledge has benefits in this world and also in the hereafter
- Knowing what is permissible and impermissible in daily life
- Knowledge accordingly must be linked to values and goals
- knowledge is pleasant, appropriate, and gives pleasure
- Knowledge is the base of our lives and religious
- Knowledge earn great rewards even after death
- Knowledge protects us from many difficulties
- Teaching others is one of the good deeds
- It’s important to seek knowledge in Islam
- Stay connected with the Muslim world
- Pick an entertaining topic to start with
- Pick out a small area to focus on
- It is obligatory for all seeks knowledge
- Keep on making dua to Allah subḥānahu
- Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave
- Islam recommends Muslims to seek knowledge
- Dedicate a specific time for acquiring knowledge
- It is obligatory for men, young and old, rich and poor
- Muslim world restore the glory of the Islamic civilization
- Islam gives too much importance to seeking knowledge
- Islam has made seeking the knowledge necessary for all Muslims
- Muslim countries are categorized among the developing countries
- Seeking knowledge is to bring us closer to our Creator Allah Almighty
The importance of education is a none disputable matter. Education is the knowledge of putting one’s potential to maximum use. One can safely say that a human being is not in the proper sense until he/she is educated. The 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 a man a right thinker. It tells the man how to think and how to make a decision. Allah says:
وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مِّنْهُ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
“And He has subjected to you whatever (is) in the heavens and whatever (is) in the earth – all from Him. Indeed, in that surely are Signs for a people who give thought.“ (Surah Al-Jathiyah, 45: 13)
Without education, man is as though in a closed room and with the 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. Teaching others is one of the good deeds from which we will earn great rewards even after death. Education is thus the starting point of every human activity. Allah created man and provided him with the tools for acquiring knowledge, namely hearing, sight and wisdom. Allah says:
وَاللَّهُ أَخْرَجَكُم مِّن بُطُونِ أُمَّهَاتِكُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“And Allah brought you forth from the wombs (of) your mothers, not knowing anything, and made for you the hearing and the sight and the hearts so that you may give thanks. “ (Surah An-Nahl, 16:78)
Islam emphasizes the great importance of knowledge and education. When the Quran began to be revealed, the first word of its first verse was ‘Iqra’ that is, read. When someone tries to learn while it is hard for him/her, they will surely receive the double reward from Allah Almighty because they put a lot of effort into seeking it. Allah says:
لَّٰكِنِ اللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ بِمَا أَنزَلَ إِلَيْكَ أَنزَلَهُ بِعِلْمِهِ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ يَشْهَدُونَ وَكَفَىٰ بِاللَّهِ شَهِيدًا
“But Allah bears witness to what He (has) revealed to you. He has sent it down with His Knowledge and the Angels bear witness. And Allah is sufficient (as) a Witness.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:166)
We must know what is permissible and impermissible in daily life. A person must also learn how to purify their hearts and deeds from guilty traits. Muslims must know how to purify their hearts from the love of wealth, status, and fame, and how to make one’s love for Allah alone. They must also learn the soaring manners taught to us by the religion Islam, and try to live our lives according to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Allah says:
فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِالْقُرْآنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا
“So high (above all) (is) Allah the King, the True. And (do) not hasten with the Quran before [that] is completed to you its revelation, and say, “My Lord! Increase me (in) knowledge.” (Surah Taha 20:114)
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. Also, we should know that there is no goodness in the knowledge that is not confirmed by actions or words which are not confirmed by deeds.
Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
- “And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Quran 20:114)
- “It is only those who know His servants that fear Allah.” (Quran 35:28)
- “That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge.” (Surah An-Nisa,156)
- “There is no god but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise.” (Surah Al-Imran, 18)
- “Glory to Thee, of knowledge We have none, save what Thou Hast taught us: In truth, it is Thou Who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom.” (Surah Al-Baqara, 32)
- “Say [unto them, O Muhammad]: Are those who know equal to those who know not? But only men of understanding will pay heed.” (Quran 39: 9)
Islam has given great importance to the process of seeking knowledge. Seeking knowledge is better than any value in the world. Learning about religion will make easy for us the path to Paradise. Islam makes it a religious duty upon Muslims to seek knowledge. Seeking knowledge to benefit oneself and the people is rewarded like performing additional prayers or fasting. Islam emphasizes the great importance of knowledge and education. When the Quran began to be revealed, the first word of its first verse was ‘Iqra’ that is, read. Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انشُزُوا فَانشُزُوا يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
“O you who believe! When it is said to you “Make room,” in the assemblies then make room, Allah will make room for you. And when it is said “Rise,” then arise; Allah will raise those who believe among you and those who were given the knowledge, (in) degrees. And Allah of what you do (is) All-Aware.” (Surah Al-Mujadila 58:11)
Knowledge is mandatory for the creation of a just world in which authentic peace can obtain. The Muslim countries are obliged to achieve more progress and have an advanced place among the countries shaping modern civilization. Indeed, Muslims should regard achieving progress in different fields of science as a religious obligation and human responsibility. Quran emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge. We should try to seek knowledge for the sake of Allah Almighty.
