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Seeking knowledge

وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدۡنِي عِلۡمٗا

“Rabbi Zidni ilma”

O my Lord increase me in knowledge.

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(Qur’an:Surah Ta ha 20, verse 114)

Allahumman fa’nee bi-maa ‘allam-ta-nee wa ‘allim-nee maa yanfa’u-nee war zuq-nee ‘ilman yanfa’u-nee

‘O Allah benefit me with what You have taught me, and teach me that which will benefit me, and grant me knowledge which will benefit me.’

“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim” 

(Hadith:Sunan Ibn Majah 224, Sahih)

The Qur'an urges the Muslim to not only acquire knowledge but to think, reflect, ponder upon it and use the knowledge in everyday life; it would bring them closer to Allah. (SubhanAllahu wa Ta'ala - the Most Glorified, the Most High) ﷻ And be pleasing to the Most High. 

The Prophet ﷺ (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam - may Allahs peace and blessings be upon him) said that the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets and that the Prophets never left behind money or property, nevertheless, they left behind something of much more value - knowledge, so whoever acquires it has gained a great share.

[Jami’at-Tirmidhi, Book 41, hadith 38]-[English translation:vol.5, book 39, hadith 2682]

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Abu Huraira, (RadhiAllahu Anhu), reported that Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “Whoever travels a path in the search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of Allah and study it together, but that tranquillity will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near him.” 

[Sahih Muslim 2699, Hadith]

The meaning of the word Qur'an is the recitation, the reading. It stems from the root word Iqr'a which translates in English as read. Some scholars say it stems from the Arabic word al-Qar meaning to collect and qara which also means to recite.

The first verse that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam - may Allahs peace and blessings be upon him, “Read! in the name of your Lord...” [Qur'an: Surah al-‘alaq (The Clot) 96, verse 1] Islam is the religion of knowledge. The fact that the very first word to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam - may Allahs peace and blessings be upon him) was 'read' or 'recite’, implying its importance and that it is the key thing one has to do in order to accumulate knowledge. “And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.” [Qur'an: Surah al-Isra (The Night Journey) 17, verse 36]

“Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” [Qur’an: Surah al-Mujadilah (The Pleading woman) 58, verse 11] 

Allah here is simply implying that those who follow the commands of Allah ﷻ (SubhanAllahu wa Ta'ala - the Most Glorified, the Most High), by seeking knowledge and applying it in their day-to-day life will In Shaa Allah be those elevated in his status in this world and/or the next, only Allah knows. Indeed, Allah knows who deserves this reward and those who do not.

“And so those who were given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord and [therefore] believe in it, and their hearts humbly submit to it. And indeed is Allah the guide of those who have believed to a straight path.” 

(Qur’an:Surat l-Hajj 22, verse 54)

“Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and guidance, which We have sent down after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allah and cursed by the cursers. Except those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.”

(Qur’an:Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow) 2, verses 159-160)

This verse warns those who conceal and hide the truth and do not share their knowledge. They are said to be the ones cursed by Allah and further by the curser's themselves. But the next verse is a solution for those who have been hoarders of knowledge, for those who have kept the truth under wraps from people who could have benefited from it. Allah states that for those who repent from their sins and openly share the knowledge which they conceal and do righteous deeds, they will be of a group who will be forgiven by the Most Merciful (al-Raheem), the Great Forgiver (al-Ghafoor).

The Prophet ﷺ SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam - may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him said, “The superior rank the learned man holds in relation to the worshipper is like the superior rank I hold in relation to the best of men.” (Hadith: Masabih vol 1, P.14) See how he (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam - may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) ﷺ placed knowledge on an equal footing with Prophet-hood and belittled the value of practice without knowledge, despite the fact that the worshipper may not be ignorant of the worship which he observes. Moreover, without this knowledge, there would have been no worship. (The Book of Knowledge- al Ghazali: translated by Nabih Amin Faris)

Knowledge brings great rewards, in this life by sowing the seeds for the Hereafter. When the knowledgeable person is to die, his reward with Allah does not cease, rather they continue to increase as long as people benefit from their knowledge.

The Prophet ﷺ (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam - may Allahs peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When a man dies, all his deeds come to an end except three - an ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge or a righteous son (child) who will pray for him.” 

(Hadith: Narrated by Muslim 1631)

Just think about this, if you are to share some good, beneficial knowledge with somebody and they were to act upon it, you would not only be rewarded for acting upon the knowledge yourself, but you also will gain some reward for the person who is still practising that knowledge, and if that person was to share that knowledge they would too benefit and gain some rewards for those who act and follow the knowledge, whilst you will too still be gaining rewards for whosoever benefits from the knowledge which you shared, SubhanAllah! (Glory be to Allah)

For example, we read the Hadith (which is the way of the Prophet documented and recorded by his close companions etc. About what he did, what he said and descriptions of what the Prophet was like.etc.) and the Holy Qur'an each verse in the Qur'an is known as an ayah/ayat which is translated as signs/verses. Now we can read a verse in the Qur'an and feel like we have not grasped anything from it, that we can learn to use/practise in order that it may benefit us to draw nearer to Allah by improving our conduct, vigilance or thoughts etc. But within them, there is something to be taken from it, something to learn that we previously did not know or maybe it is a reminder of something that you may have become complacent with or forgetful. But, whatever it may be once you have read it and analysed the words of Allah, you will either grasp knowledge and understanding of the lesson it has in it to teach us or it may give you a reminder, both in order to allow you to use the lesson learnt to better yourself as a person and bring you closer to Allah ﷻ (SubhanAllahu wa Ta'ala - the Most Glorified, the Most High), by practising something which is pleasing and rewarding in this life and the Hereafter.

[And there may be some that you have no understanding but that is OK too, you can always ask someone who is knowledgeable with that area to give some insight for you. Do not be afraid to ask for help if you do not understand something, seeking understanding is beneficial, think of the bigger picture if you did not ask for help and Allah asks you why you did not seek knowledge and understanding. Ask Allah to guide you to better understand and assist you on your journey to acquiring knowledge.]

For instance, Prophet Musa (Alayhis Salaam - Peace be upon Him) fled Egypt because he found out that Pharaoh's army was after him after he had accidentally killed a man. Musa fled with just the clothes upon his back.

“So he left the city afraid and cautious. He said, ‘My lord, save me from the wrongdoing people.’”

[Qur’an:Surah al-Qasas (The Stories) 28, verse 21]

“And when he directed himself towards Madyan, he said, ‘Perhaps my Lord will guide me to the sound way.’ And when he came to the well of Madyan, he found there a group of men watering [their flocks], and he found aside from them two women driving back [their flocks]. He said ‘What is the matter with you?’ They said, ‘We cannot water our sheep until the shepherds take away [their flocks] and our father is an old man.’ So he watered [their flocks] for them; then he went back to the shade and said, ‘My Lord!! Truly I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!’“

[Qur’an: Surah al-Qasas (The Stories) 28, verses 22-24]

“Then one of the two young women came to him walking with shyness. She said, ‘Indeed, my father invites you for having watered for us.’’ So when he came to him and related him the story, he said, ‘Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people.’”

[Qur’an:Surah al-Qasas (The Stories) 28, verse 25]

From these few verses, what do you learn?

Firstly from reading it all, you can see that his supplication/Du’a was answered and Allah the most Generous granted him safety from the wrongdoing people and guided him to the right path, SubhanAllah. This then teaches us that making du’a in difficult circumstances is necessary and will be answered in Shaa Allah. You just have to possess trust, hope and patience in Allah that He will answer your du’as.

Also, he was inspired to be vigilant, courteous and kind to the two young women. He saw them knowing that shepherding is a man's job as it is hard work and tiresome. Even though he was very thirsty and tired, he was polite and respectful upon talking to them and helping them, ensuring that their flock got watered. What did you learn?

To be aware and considerate of others. Also, the women pose a lesson that should be learnt through this and that is to have modesty and for women not to be mixing freely with the opposite gender.

Being desperate Musa then again made supplication to Allah ﷻ (SubhanAllahu wa Ta'ala - the Most Glorified, the Most High), he didn't run out of hope, he didn't ask anyone else to help him but asked Allah. This is an important message to be learnt here. We shouldn't rely upon others for help, we should only rely upon Allah the Generous, the Giver, the Trustworthy. And right there in his time of need, Allah answered him by inspiring the father of the women to go to Musa and invite him over to say thank you, personally.

When the woman approached Musa she came over bashfully and shyly, another of the possessions a woman should have included in modesty. She didn't walk over in a pompous, ostentatious manner, but in a humble, reserved manner, something women should take into consideration when approaching men who are unlawful to us and when out and about.

By being respectful you will receive respect is also a lesson, Musa showed respect to the young women and was respectfully invited to their family home. Musa was then respectful to their father who was respectful in his response.

So the knowledge hidden in these few verses is something you have just learnt, that ought to be practised from this point on in order for the Creator to be pleased with you and benefit you with rewards in this life and the next, in Shaa Allah.

It is important to always read over verses in order to find the lessons you are to take with you, implementing and utilising them in your day-to-day life in order to please the Creator and reap rewards. If you don’t understand search for understanding, firstly by asking Allah the all-Knowledgeable for help and assistance, then put in the work to search for answers by reading the Tafsir, which is an explanation of the Qur’anic commentary or by asking a knowledgeable person or imam at your local Mosque.