Importance of Knowledge in Islam


The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “Learned discussions enliven the dead hearts provided they lead to Allah and His commands”.
(Usulul Kafi, p.20)

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “It is obligatory for every Muslim to acquire knowledge. Allah likes those who seek knowledge”.
(Usulul Kafi, p.15)

 
The Holy Qur’an says: “He giveth wisdom unto whom He will, and he unto whom wisdom is given, he truly hath received abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding.” (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:269)

 

Imam Sajjad, (A.S.), says: “If people had known the advantages of acquiring knowledge they would have acquired it even if it had necessitated the shedding of their hearts’ blood or of their going down into the deep seas”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.59)

 

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “Allah opens the path of Paradise to one who takes a step on the path of acquisition of knowledge”.
(Muniatul Murid, p.11)

 

 

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “The best monuments and legacies which a man leaves behind himself are a dutiful son, useful buildings, knowledge and wisdom which are benefited by the people after him”.
(Muniatul Murid, p.11)
 
  The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “One who wishes to see those who are safe from the Fire of Hell should look at the seekers of knowledge”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.58)

 

 

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “Acquire knowledge even if it be in China”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.57)

 

Imam Ali, (A.S.), says: “Do not feel shy of learning what you do not know”.
(Nahjul Balaghah, p.1113)

 

Imam Ali, (A.S.), says: “O people! Remember that the excellence of your faith lies in acquiring knowledge and acting upon it. It is more essential for you to crave for knowledge than for riches”.
(Usulul Kafi, p.15)

 

Imam Ja’far Sadiq, (A.S.), says: “Knowledge and action are associated with each other because whoever possesses knowledge acts upon it and the knowledge and wisdom of the one who puts them into practice remains unimpaired. Knowledge is a Divine voice which invites its bearer to act upon it. If he accepts its invitation and acts his knowledge lasts but if he does not give a positive response it forsakes him”.
(Usulul Kafi, p.22)

 

Imam Ja’far Sadiq, (A.S.), says: “A person who learns a tradition for worldly gains does not benefit from it in the Hereafter,and if he learns it for his betterment in the next world, Allah blesses him in this world as well as in the Hereafter”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol. 1, p.111)

 

Imam Ja’far Sadiq, (A.S.), says: “Your teacher enjoys the right over you that you should honour him and pay him respect in different assemblies. You should be very attentive to his words. You should not raise your voice above his. If anybody asks him a question you should not give a reply thereto. You should not converse with others in his presence and you should allow the people to benefit from his knowledge. You should not speak ill of anyone before him. If anybody speaks ill of him in your presence you should defend him. You should conceal his shortcomings and bring his virtues to light. You should not associate with his enemies and should not dispute with his friends. If you act on these lines the angels of Allah will testify that you have paid attention to him and have acquired knowledge for the sake of Allah and not to attract the attention of the people. And the right of your pupils on you is that you should realise that in granting you knowledge and opening its path for you, Allah has appointed you to be their guardian. In case, therefore you teach them properly and do not frighten them and are not furious with them Allah will, through His kindness, increase your knowledge. But if you drive the people away from knowledge and as and when they approach you for it you frighten them and get annoyed with them it will be only appropriate that Almighty Allah may take away the light of knowledge from you and may degrade you in the eyes of the people”.
(Makarimul Akhlaq, p.484)

The Holy Qu’ran says: “Allah elevates to high positions those from amongst you who are faithful and those who have acquired knowledge”.
(Surah al-Mujadilah, 58:11)

Imam Ali, (A.S.), says: “The learned men and scholars will continue to exist till the world lasts. Although their bodies may be hidden from the eyes their impressions will for ever remain imprinted in the hearts of the people”.
(Nahjul Balaghah, p.1146)

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “Sleep of a scholar is superior to one thousand rak’ats of prayers offered by a devout person”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.76)

“A scholar is like a person who always observes fast and offers prayers and he is like a mujahid who sacrifices his life in the cause of Allah. As and when a scholar dies a breach takes place in Islam which cannot be filled till the Day of Judgement”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.82)

Imam Ali, (A.S.), says: “Two rak’ats of prayers offered by a scholar are better than seventy rak’ats of prayers offered by an ignorant person”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.65)

The Prophet (S.A.W.), says: “Having the company of learned scholars is (Allah’s) worship”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.64)

“Looking at their faces is (also) worship”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.61)

 

Imam Ja’far Sadiq, (A.S.), says: “On the Day of Judgement Allah will be pleased with a person who honours and respects a Muslim scholar; and He will be annoyed with one who insults a Muslim scholar”.
(Biharul Anwar, vol.1, p.82)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knowledge is better than wealth because it protects you while you have to guard wealth. it decreases if you keep on spending it but the more you make use of knowledge ,the more it increases . what you get through wealth disappears as soon as wealth
disappears but what you achieve through knowledge will remain even after you.” Hazrat Ali Ibne Abi Talib (A.S)

 

31 Responses to “Importance of Knowledge in Islam”

  1. Vasya Says:

    preved ot slesarya Vasi

  2. Ahmad Says:

    This is the true version of Islam.

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  4. farah nadia Says:

    i’m a student of iium… very thankful that i kow about this website..

  5. Abu A'isha Says:

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  6. Taiwo Hassan Abdul Kareem Says:

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  7. Imran Khan Says:

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  8. mostafa Says:

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  9. YUSRA Says:

    ” ASALAM-O-ALAIKUM ” I HAVE MANY BENEFITS FROM THIS SITE THANKYOU

  10. HAMDI BIN YUSUF Says:

    JAZAKUMULAH KEHR

  11. Ibrahim olohunoje ilorin Says:

    My name is ibrahim i thank god islam is now improving

  12. Bolaji olohunoje ilorin kwara state nigeria Says:

    I thank god that am muslem and am proud of it

  13. Bolaji olohunoje ilorin kwara state nigeria Says:

    I just wana take this time to ask any body on here that what is real answer 4 knowlage

  14. Ibraheem Ahmad Biala Says:

    May Almighty Allah let ISLAM spreads throughout the globe.

  15. Ibraheem Ahmad Biala Says:

    This site has also contributed immensly towards the development of Islam as religion through knowledge.May Almighty Allah bless us to do more of this kind.(AMEN). Jazakumullah khairan.
    Knowledge Quotes by Ibraheem Ahmad Biala;”All lifes are in darkness,knowledge is light that shed brightness in to one’s life.

  16. Yoon Says:

    Salamualikum.

    I wanted to bring this to your attention that the reference of the Ayah that you have given here is not valid?

    The Holy Qur’an says: “Whoever is given wisdom and knowledge is blessed with bounties in good abundance”.
    (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:272)

    The 272 ayah of Surah Baqarah says this:

    (272. Not upon you (Muhammad ) is their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allah’s Face. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.)

    please post your reply..

    Wassalam

  17. tazzry Says:

    Assalamualaikum !
    Is this only referring to islamic knowledge (the rules and regulations of islam) or to wordly knowledge (science and technology ) too ?
    please post your reply !

  18. Mohammedali Basheer Says:

    May Allah reward you for the services provided by you to Ummah. Acquiriring knowledge is very importance in Islam.
    Al Hamdu Lillah! You have given prime importance to this subject of Islam in this site.

    Tassy: Excuse me. Islamic knowledge (ILM) does not include worldly knowledge (science and technology). Worldly knowledge is like a little drop of water in a vast ocean of ILM (Islamic knowlege). It is an ART.

  19. Tijjani Abdullahi (Tamas) Says:

    YES SOPHESTICATED PERSON TODAY IS SOME ONE WHO HAS ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE & AND WESTERN EDUCATION, IF YOU DON’T ISLAMIC YOU’RE PRIMITIVE PERSON!

  20. MUST READ! EXREMELY BENEFICAL Says:

    Many young men and women in our colleges and universities have abandoned the pursuit of studies like medicine and engineering, because they presume that such studies will not benefit them in the Hereafter. I have heard them complain that their studies are a curse upon them and it would be better for them to study Islamic knowledge than what they are wasting their lives pursuing.

    These young people are operating under the misconception that the study worldly knowledge and technology are somehow in conflict with Islam. They feel that their worldly studies keep them away from being truly devout and close to Allah. At the very least, they feel that the pursuit of such knowledge is not encouraged by Islam and that there would be no sin or censure upon the Muslims for neglecting it.

    Islam calls us to seek knowledge in the broadest sense of the word. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” [ Sunan Ibn Mâjah ]

    Islam gives preference to a knowledgeable person over an ignorant one. Allah says: “Say: ‘Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know?’” [ Sûrah al-Zumar : 9]

    There are around 750 verses in the Qur’ân that encourage us to think about the universe that surrounds us and all that has been created within it and placed at our disposal. The study of the universe is indisputably the domain of the natural sciences.

    Allah says the following:

    “Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the Earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people who have sense.” [ Sûrah al-Baqarah : 164]

    “Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for people who have understanding.” [ Sûrah Al `Imrân : 190]

    “And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the Earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors: verily in that are Signs for those who know.” [ Sûrah Rûm : 22]

    “It is He who makes the stars (as beacons) for you, that ye may guide yourselves, with their help, through the dark spaces of land and sea: We detail Our signs for people who know.” [ Sûrah al-An`âm : 97]

    The first verse to be revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) was a verse commanding him to read. For this reason, scholars have declared knowledge to be the first obligation held upon a legally accountable person. The first thing that a person is required to have knowledge of, of course, is Allah, His religion, and His revelation. However, this obligation ultimately embraces all useful knowledge, since the first step in any area is to have knowledge about it.

    How can it be acceptable for us as Muslims – the people commanded before anything else to read – to go down the road of ignorance and give up competing with the other nations of the Earth in the pursuit of knowledge? How can we do so especially at a time when they are the ones excelling in every field of human knowledge? They are far in the lead, while our heritage and our faith should be propelling us ahead.

    What bridge will help us to span the distance between the pure truth of our sacred texts and the miserable state of ignorance and misunderstanding that besets the lives and the mindset of the Muslim world?

    Knowledge is of two kinds: religious knowledge and worldly knowledge.

    Worldly knowledge includes all branches of knowledge by which we acquire through our human experience and interaction with the universe that surrounds us. We acquire this knowledge by investigating and contemplating the patterns and laws that exist in nature.

    The study of science and technology is of utmost importance to the upliftment of nations and civilizations. The Muslim world is in desperate need of this knowledge. No one who has eyes can fail to see how weak we are in this area, in spite of the emphasis that Islam puts upon it. Allah says in more than one place in the Qur’ân: “It is He who has produced you from the Earth and settled you therein.”

    Allah is telling us that he has made us to live on Earth for the duration of our lives and we are supposed to develop it, cultivate it, and thrive in it. How are we expected to do this if we do not know what will better our lives and what will bring harm to us?

    Allah says: “And when the Prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of the bounty of Allah: and celebrate the praises of Allah often that you may prosper.” [ Sûrah al-Jumu`ah : 10] Here Allah is talking about commerce, investment, and economic development.

    Allah says: “It is He who has made the Earth manageable for you, so traverse through its tracts and enjoy of the sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection.” [ Sûrah al-Mulk : 15] This verse alludes to agriculture, land development, and traveling in search of Allah’s bounty.

    The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If the Final Hour arrives while one of you has a sapling in his hand and he can finish planting it before standing up, then he should do so.” [ Musnad Ahmad ]

    In the field of medicine, the Prophet said: “Every disease has a remedy. If the remedy is applied to the disease, the patient will be cured by Allah’s permission.” [ Sahîh Muslim ]

    He also said: “Allah did not send down a disease without sending down a cure for it.” [ Sahîh al-Bukhârî ]

    A desert dweller once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “What type of people are the best?”

    The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “The best of them in moral character.”

    The man then asked: “O Messenger of Allah, should we seek medical treatment?”

    The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: “Seek medical treatment, for truly Allah as not send down a disease without sending down a cure for it. Those who have knowledge of the cure know it, and those who are ignorant of it do not.” [ Musnad Ahmad ]

    The Prophet (peace be upon him) referred to medical knowledge as knowledge and to a lack of it as ignorance. He encouraged us to use our minds and our resources to seek out the cures to the diseases that plague us by telling us that those cures are out there for us to discover and make use of.

    How can a people who profess this religion and follow these texts be content to remain steeped in illiteracy and ignorance while other nations who do not share our legacy are progressing by leaps and bounds?

    This is something surprising indeed!

    The pursuit of any field of useful worldly knowledge, in principle, is an obligation that does not fall on everyone’s shoulders. As long as a sufficient number of people in society take it up, everyone else can follow other pursuits. However, today it is becoming more and more of an individual obligation. We live in an age of unprecedented technological challenge and we are witnessing a Muslim incapacity that is quite startling.

    The nations of the West are improving their knowledge and their application of it night and day in order to dominate the nations that surround them. We have been reduced to the lamentable state of dependency, especially in the fields of medicine, engineering, and manufacturing technology.

    It is not possible for the Muslim world to be an example for others to follow unless it is strong and able to move forward. Many people are turned off by Islam because of the sorry state that they see the Muslims in – their economic backwardness, the misconceptions and falsehoods that plague them, and their intellectual and spiritual shortcomings.

    Al-Shâtibî and a number of other scholars of Islamic Law tell us that Islam has come to safeguard five universal needs: religion, life, lineage, property, and reason. Some scholars have claimed that this is a matter of juristic consensus.

    It is not possible to safeguard these five universal needs effectively without possessing accurate scientific knowledge and being able to employ it properly to defend the faith and bring about worldly prosperity. Medicine, for instance, is a way to preserve life by safeguarding our bodies from illness. This is why our pious predecessors had so much respect for medicine. Some quote al-Shâfi`î as saying: “Knowledge is only of two kinds: religious knowledge and worldly knowledge. The knowledge that belongs to the domain of religion is Islamic Law and the knowledge that belongs to the domain of worldly matters is medicine.”

    He is also quoted as saying: “After knowledge of what is lawful and prohibited, I know of no knowledge to be nobler than medicine, except that the People of the Scripture have outdone us in that field.”

    It is said that he expressed his regret for the Muslims’ neglect medical knowledge by saying: “They have neglected a third of all knowledge and left it to the Jews and Christians.” [Quotes taken from al-Râzî, Adâb al-Shâfi`î wa Manâkibuh ]

    A student cannot help but notice that there is an experimental approach to the worldly sciences. It is an approach of applying astute and rigorous analysis to meticulous and time-consuming observations. This methodology comes under the Qur’ânic injunction for us to reflect upon the universe. Allah says: “Those who remember Allah standing and sitting and lying on their sides and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the Earth (saying): Our Lord! Thou hast not created this in vain! Glory be to Thee; save us then from the chastisement of the fire:” [ Sûrah Al `Imrân : 191]

    If a person has a sincere and wholesome intention for pursuing this knowledge, it will have a positive effect on his faith. It will reinforce the textual evidence for the existence of the Almighty Creator. It also assists in our better appreciating the scientific allusions given by the Qur’ân, which emphasizes its miraculous nature. This is a good way of calling non-Muslims to Islam and of strengthening the faith of the believers.

    An economist can give support to Islam’s interest-free economic system in a way that a scholar of Islamic law never could. Islamic teachings came only to protect human life from going astray and to encourage productivity and work, so much so that wholesome, productive work is recognized as a sublime virtue and an act of devotion.

    Using the proper means – the natural causes – to get things done is part of our faith and creed. Allah says: “Verily We established his power on earth, and We gave him the ways and the means to all ends. One (such) way he followed.” [ Sûrah al-Kahf : 84-85]

    Failure to use proper means is, in effect, a deprecation of Islamic teachings. Whoever gives thought to the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him) will easily see how he took the needed practical steps to achieve his aims, from the time of his emigration until the time of his death.

    Advancements in science and technology are among the ways and means to achieve the upliftment of the Muslim world. Much of the backwardness and many of the defeats that from which we have been suffering is but the result of our lagging behind in scientific knowledge, our paucity of general understanding, and our inability to appreciate the true relationship between cause and effect.

    Muslim history abounds with examples of scientific and cultural ingenuity. The Muslims inherited the knowledge of the nations that came before them and developed it and placed it in the context of a precise moral framework. Muslim scholarship made a vital contribution to the enrichment and advancement of human civilization.

    Sadly, there are serious shortcomings in or efforts to teach the Muslims that the Qur’ân is concerned with these sciences that give humanity the ability to benefit from the world around them. It is indeed from Allah’s wisdom behind placing humanity up on Earth that we would develop it and cultivate it.

    As I have already said, our lagging behind in scientific knowledge has made us as Muslims dependent on others. Equally, we meet with considerable difficulties when we try to build productive relationships and nurture cooperation between our scientists and Islamic scholars. There is a wide gulf between these two fields of knowledge, as if one has absolutely no bearing upon the other. The truth is, these two fields of knowledge have a complementary relationship. The fruits of scientific enquiry are in harmony with what the Qur’ân says about our role in developing the Earth and benefiting from it in every way.

    We should mention that our lagging behind in science and technology while the West is progressing at a fantastic pace has a damaging effect on our mental health and on our determination. This is painfully true when it comes to our youth. It makes us feel defeated in front of the West, as if we have no contribution to make. Such a state of affairs ultimately leads to an erosion of our moral values. Our people start to believe that the West is the ideal that must be followed and emulated in every way, even when it comes to the low moral standards that the West itself suffers from.

    Our youth must be made aware of these truths. They must know the extent of the danger that surrounds the Muslim world and what must be done for our upliftment.

    Islam demands from us a sincere and mighty effort to achieve growth and development, first and foremost to please our Lord, and secondly to realize our own welfare in both our worldly and religious lives.

    We must prevent ourselves from melting away in front of the challenges that confront us in this era of globalization.

  21. mustapha jaji bunza Says:

    the angels loweq their to seeker of knwoledge

  22. mustapha jaji bunza Says:

    the ink of the pen of the scholar is hollier than the blood of the mathyr

  23. Elyas Says:

    Asalam aleykoum,

    Ayah of surat al Baqarah number 272 says following *

    The guiding of them is not thy duty (O Muhammad), but Allah guideth whom He will. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, it is for yourselves, when ye spend not save in search of Allah’s Countenance; and whatsoever good thing ye spend, it will be repaid to you in full, and ye will not be wronged. (2:272)

    It does not say

    The Holy Qur’an says: “Whoever is given wisdom and knowledge is blessed with bounties in good abundance”.
    (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:272)

    So could someone fix this please?
    Waleykoum asalam

  24. Adamu tafida Says:

    i am adamu tafida from taraba state of nigeria. am very happy 2 see dis website cos its hellping me so mush in my assignmen.

  25. yousuph abdl wahab Says:

    Alhamdulilahi, am really happy to read from this text. cos, it has really and abundantly add to my understanding…

  26. khalid ibrahim Says:

    Bismillah,ir-Rahman,ir-Rahim.
    Ashahadu An Laa illaaha illal llahu
    Wa Ash Hadu Anna Muhammadan Abdu Hu Wa Rasooluhu
    ”I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah
    who is without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) is the Rasool.”
    “O Allah, Shower Your Peace upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have brought peace to Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, Shower your blessing upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious”.
    Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam, As-Salaam Alaikum!
    My Name is Khalid U.Ibrahim. I am in need of your (Du’a) Prayers for ALLAH’s Help and Protection.Ya ALLAH! enable Me to be Grateful for the Favors that You have bestowed on Me!Ya ALLAH clean and purify our Hearts and Souls in this Life.O Allah! I seek Protection with You from the Evil of what You have Created. O Allah, I seek Protection with You from the Evil of sins and from being in debt)(Ya ALLAH!) O ALLAH! I Beg of you to Bestow on us (the Believing Muslims) a Home, a Home of Safety, Security and Peace in this World Life, Out of the Reach of Your Enemies and Out of the reach of my and also Grant us a Home of Safety,Security and Peace in the Life Hereafter,Out of the Reach of the Fires of Hell!.(Ya ALLAH!) O ALLAH! I Beg of you to Increase our Faith and Devotion, and to Bless us with Peace in our Hearts and Souls.(Ya ALLAH!) Please Forgive All The Believing Muslims,(Ya ALLAH!) Please grant All the Believing Muslims the Best in this world Life and the Best in Hereafter, and(Ya ALLAH!) Please Protect us(the Believing Muslims) from own Nafs, and(Ya ALLAH!) Please Protect All the Believing Muslims from the Evils of this world{O ALLAH No One in this World cares! No one in this world!O ALLAH No One in this world cares!} (Ya ALLAH!) OALLAH! I Beg of you for the means to do good, and to avoid evil, and Bless us to Love the poor, and I beseech you forgive us(the Believing Muslims whom Believe in You O ALLAH and the last Day) and have mercy on us. And When you subject the people of the World to trial,O ALLAH have Mercy on us! O ALLAH have Mercy on us, Protect us from being affected by it.(Ya ALLAH!) O ALLAH! I Beg of you, your Love and Protection,and the Love of those who Love you, and Grant us the Love of all such actions that will bring us closer to you, with our Love and Devotion to you.(Ya ALLAH!)“O ALLAH, please bring us out of this darkness of illusions and honour us with the(Nur) light of understanding and comprehension, O ALLAH open to us the doors of your mercy! and bestow upon us the treasure of your knowledge and wisdom by your mercy O the most merciful of thoes who show mercy.”(Ya -Ar hamar Rahemeen!”Ya -Ar hamar Rahemeen!Ya -Ar hamar Rahemeen!)


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