Dr Qadir Bakhsh MBE
Regarding seeking and acquiring knowledge, both reading and writing, Allah Almighty has given direct commandments to read, (Iqra – recite) in the name of Allah and cherish and appreciate the gift of knowledge, and use of writing with the pen as blessings from Allah. Allah commands:
Recite in the name of your Lord Who created
The man from a clot of congealed blood.
Recite: and your Lord is Most Generous,
Who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know (96:1-5).
Allah says: “We have detailed and made the signs clear for a people who know (6:97) and comprehend” (6:98).
Qur’an also affirms that those who do not know are not equal to those who have knowledge (39:9) because the meanings of revelation become manifest to those ‘who have knowledge’ (6:97) and ‘who have understanding’ (6:98); and that “Those who have knowledge will be given a higher degree by Allah” (58:11).
We must remember that studying and gaining knowledge is an active act of worship. By devoting ourselves to the pursuit of knowledge, we can help protect ourselves from the evil and ignorance of this world and simultaneously, in the light of guidance and support from Allah Almighty we can transform our thoughts, judgements and actions.
However merely gaining knowledge, information and awareness are not enough. There is a great deal of emphasis in the Qur’an on the practical application of knowledge in day-to-day living as paramount.
The most fundamental messages in the Qur’an which apply to all mankind are:
i) Firm belief, ii) Prayer and worship, and
iii) Performing good deeds.
These three commandments are most frequently repeated in the Qur’an. Both the terms imaan (faith) and ‘amal-us-saalehaat (good deeds) are repeatedly conjoined and intertwined in the Qur’an.
However, about the significance of performing good deeds (action/behaviour), Allah Almighty has made it clear that just believing on its own will not be acceptable (unless coupled with actions), for example;
Do people think that they will be let go merely by saying: “We believe,” and that they will not be tested (29:2)?
In this verse, we understand that we cannot just assume that we believe in Tawheed, the Oneness of Allah. We must actively learn and obtain knowledge to truly understand the Greatness and Oneness of Allah which will help us stand firm on the path of righteousness, by performing ‘amal-us-saalehaat (good deeds).
The practical application of “La Illa ha” is full of tests, tribulations and challenges, both in terms of facing external obstacles and internal foot-dragging. Just being born into a Muslim household is not enough.
The belief with conviction encompassing all the ‘articles of the faith’ coupled with ‘good deeds’, is the fundamental requirement in Islam: Allah commands that “…race with one another in good work” (5:48).
Prayer as such – an obligatory duty no doubt – is important, but without the good deeds is of little value on its own. Every good deed is an act of obedience (ibadat) to Allah (swt) even the work we do to earn our living, as long it is done honestly, with good intentions and within the permissible hodood (boundaries), with the guidance from Allah Almighty and examples set by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Mere believing and acquiring knowledge without application, is contemptible in the eyes of Allah (swt):
Believers, why do you profess that which you do not practice? It is most loathsome in the sight of Allah that you should profess what you do not practice (61:2-3).
Allah has preferred those believers who strive with their possessions and their lives. They have high ranks. Those who remain idle and passive are not considered equal to those, who struggle (4:95) and outdo all others in endurance (3:200).
In the same vein, all the believers are commanded to spread the message of Allah (swt) by advocating doing good and refraining from evil – Amr wa Nahi, but at the same time Allah (swt) makes it clear that “Order righteousness to people only after practicing it yourself” (2:44).
Allah Almighty further says:
Do you enjoin righteousness on people and forget your selves even though you recite the Scripture? Have you no sense? (2:44).
In Islam, three related terms have been used in this context: Ilm (Knowledge), Amal (actions/ deeds) and Aql (Intellect). Ilm has a much broader scope than just seeking or acquiring knowledge. Ilm also includes know-how and commitment to act upon beliefs to achieve desired goals for Allah’s pleasure. Aql on the other hand is an instinct, a tool that enhances the capacity to understand, ponder, analyse and act using reasoning and related capabilities endowed by Allah Almighty.
Aql is the tool and faculty if properly utilised will bridge the gap between knowledge (Ilm) and action (Amal).
