Knowledge and Education in Islam (1/4)

“Look at those who stand at a lower level than you but do not look  at those  who  stand  at a higher  level  than you, for this would make  the favours  (conferred   upon you by Allah) insignificant   (in your eyes).”[1]

The importance of knowledge

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “The seeking of knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim."[2] This responsibility begins   the moment   that we are born and does not end until the day we die. The Prophet (Peace be upon him)   also   said:   “If  a  person   takes   a  path   in  search   of knowledge,    Allah   will  thereby  make  the  path  to  paradise   easy  for him.”[3] This ability to learn and understand   is what sets us apart from the rest of Allah's creation and is directly related to the concept of free will.  Making choices would certainly be a haphazard affair without the capacity to gain knowledge.

Knowledge   and the seeking of knowledge guide   us to that which is true in life to the straight path.  Without the necessary knowledge,   our journey   through   life will not be very successful. The importance of this is emphasized frequently   in the Qur’an and the Hadith.   Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) mentions,

“... Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.” (Qur'an, Surah Al-Fatir, 35: 28)

“And these  examples  We  present  to  the  people,  but  none  will understand them except  those of knowledge.” (Qur'an, Surah Al-Ankabut, 29:  43)

“... Say: Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.” (Qur'an, Az-Zumar, 39:  9)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: “Upon a person whom Allah desires good, He bestows the knowledge of faith.”[4] He also said: “When a person starts his journey to acquire knowledge, Allah eases his passage to paradise, and angels, to express their appreciation of his acts, spread their wings, and all the creatures that are in the heavens and on the earth, including the fish in the water, ask for forgiveness for a learned person. A learned person is superior to a worshipper as the full moon is superior to all the stars. The learned are heirs of the prophets, and the prophets do not leave any inheritance in the shape of dirhams and dinars[5] (wealth), but they do leave knowledge as their legacy. As such, a person who acquires knowledge acquires his full share.”[6]

More importantly, he stated: “There is no envy but in two cases. The first is a person whom Allah has given wealth and he or she spends it righteously; the second is the one whom Allah has given wisdom (the Holy Qur'an) and he or she acts according to it and teaches it to others.” [7]

These Qur'anic verses and hadiths clearly demonstrate the significance of gaining knowledge as well as teaching it to others. Islam is a religion of knowledge as it is associated with many virtues and merits. It is one of the most noble aspects a human can strive for, and the most honourable to attain. Knowledge comes before action and there is no action without knowledge.

The meaning of knowledge

Most Muslims, however, do not understand the true meaning of knowledge and the fact that there are several types. It is often assumed that  the  above-mentioned  hadith  of the  Prophet  (Peace be upon him)  refers to all knowledge,  both  worldly and religious,  and that they are lumped together into one large category.

One may hear others say, "My son or daughter needs to go to a secular high school or college because knowledge is an obligation for Muslims."   While this may seem acceptable on the surface, a more detailed analysis will reveal some weaknesses.

An  important  distinction   that  has  been  made  by  Islamic scholars  is between  knowledge  that  is  a persona]  obligation  and knowledge   that   is  a  communal   obligation. The first type of knowledge is that which is obligatory upon each and every individual. This would include basic knowledge of the religion, including beliefs ('aqeedah) and practices (prayer, fasting, poor due, social relations, and so forth). The second type of knowledge is that which is compulsory on some members of the Muslim society, but not all. It is a communal  obligation  that  is  lifted  once  some  members  of  the community  have fulfilled it.

For example, if some members of the community become doctors to take care of the sick, then the rest of the community is absolved from this responsibility; if no one becomes a doctor, then the whole community is held responsible. This category would include detailed knowledge of Islam and Sharia, medicine, education,   engineering, and so on.

In the hadith regarding the obligation of seeking knowledge, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) particularly emphasized understanding of the religion.  This wisdom comes from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah[8] of the Prophet   (Peace be upon him). This  includes knowing Allah,  His  names   and attributes,  and  His  rights  over  His  creation;   knowing   the  path  that leads to Him; knowing   the purpose  of our creation;   and knowing   the results   in  the   hereafter.  In essence, it means understanding the principles of iman and the pillars of lslam.  This is given  priority  over worldly  knowledge   since  it has  implications   for eternity,   not  merely for  a span  of  seventy   years  or  so.

(Continued)