The Importance of Seeking Knowledge Is A Command from Allah
It is Waajib (Obligatory) upon all Muslims to seek beneficial knowledge of their Deen (Religion). The first ever word to be revealed from the Qur’an was ‘Read!’ ‘Iqrah!’
This was the opening ‘Ayaah (Line/Verse) of Chapter 96, ‘The Clot’, Surah ‘Al`Alaq. Then Angel Jibreel commanded Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to read, and so Allah commanded the Muslims to read also. Reading thus implies seeking knowledge, as Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim." [Al-Tirmidhi]Before commanding worship, charity or anything else Allah ordered us to educate ourselves, education is thus the starting point of every Muslim.
The verse continues, ‘Read in the name of your Lord who created man out of a clinging clot.’ Allah explains in the same Ayaah how he created man from something so small, and that man knew nothing before Allah’s gift of Wahy Revelation. Allah is the One who created man and provided him with the tools for acquiring knowledge, his hearing, sight and mind.
Allah says: "And Allah 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 Allah)" [Quran, 16:78] So we are obliged to use these tools and follow His command.
Knowledge is a gift of light
The small cave in which Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) received revelation was illuminated with an intense bright light. This light was the light of knowledge, as the Qur’an is divine knowledge from Allah. Before the Wahy came, the Makkans were ignorant and did barbaric things out of lack of knowledge. But the light of the Qur’an transformed them into the most pious Muslims of all time.
Take Umar ibn Al-Khatab as an example. He was on his way to kill Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), but the light of the Qur’an (Surah Taha) entered his heart and instead he knelt down in humility in front of him (ﷺ).
Knowledge of the Qur’an and Ahadith (Prophetic Sayings) is thus a light, as it takes man out of the darkness of this world. Knowledge is also a gift from Allah as not everyone receives it, and only Allah can put the light of knowledge in your heart.
The best of gifts are from Allah, and the ultimate gift is knowledge. Because of Allah we are together, because of Allah the teacher is here, because of Allah we have been given this blessing of knowledge, nothing on our part.
Your Maqam is raised
In Islam we are all equal, and no one is better than anyone else in terms of colour of their skin, their wealth, beauty etc. The only thing that differentiates us is our piety, and only Allah knows who has more Taqwa (God consciousness) and who does not. And only Allah knows our true status, rank or ‘Maqam’. The higher your Maqam in Allah’s ‘eyes’ the more pious you are.
“Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees.” [Qur'an, 58:11]Allah can raise and lower our status also. Your rank is elevated from the moment you begin studying and learning about Deen. Thus, Allah can honour a person by giving them knowledge, and it is this gift of knowledge that gave Adam a higher status than the angels. Allah taught Adam knowledge and after he commanded the angels to bow down to him, even though angels are pure heavenly beings and man can sin.
Knowledge can raise you higher then these pure beings! Because of the importance of knowledge, Allah commanded His Messenger to seek more of it. Allah says (what means): "and say: `My Lord! Increase me in knowledge" [Quran, 20:114]
Signs of Allah’s love
If you have some Islamic Knowledge (‘Ilm) that you have gained over the years and are still gaining this blessed knowledge, remember this is a gift from Allah. It is a sign that Allah is happy and pleased with you as he has put the light of knowledge in your heart. The best gifts are from Allah, and the ultimate gift is knowledge.
Allah tells us through Prophet Muhammad that when he wishes good for someone he gives them understanding of Deen. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said,
"When Allah wishes good for someone, He bestows upon him the understanding of Deen." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Allah loves those who study knowledge and pass it on. Remember not everyone can say ‘Allah loves me’, as we are unaware of our deeds and we sin often. Yet for the ‘Talib ‘Ilm (Student of knowledge), it is clear that he/she is on a beautiful, blessed path and Allah’s love and Rahma (Mercy) is all around them.
Imam Shafi’i said: ‘After the obligatory deeds, nothing is more beloved to Allah that studying knowledge.’ You have gained knowledge just by reading this, so you know Allah loves you!
May Allah increase us in knowledge and bless us with His love and mercy Ameen!
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