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Concept of knowledge In Islam.By Bello Yusha'u Gusau (Khadimul Qur'an)
Introduction: Ilm (Arabic: علم "knowledge") is the Islamic term for knowledge.The Arabic word ilm (علم) has been derived from ain (ع), lam (ل) and mim (م) that means to know:
ٱلْعِلْمُ إِدْرَاكُ الشَّيءِ بِحَقِيْقَتِهِ.
“Knowledge is the awareness of a thing with reference to its reality.”
So, knowledge is that theorem or proposition which consists in knowing an objective reality existent in externity. The word knowledge is applicable to that proposition which comprises subject and predicate with an objectively existent reality parallel to the one contained in the proposition. The subject and the predicate are the two terms of a proposition synthesized by means of copula, which is always some part of the verb “to be”. Moreover, a proposition is either true or false and the question of its truth or falsity is raised only when assertions are made about the objects. We can, therefore, say that every proposition cannot be called knowledge; only that proposition will be called knowledge which is wholesome and assertive and has sound validation with reference to reality on ground, external to proposition.
ELEMENTS OF KNOWLEDGE This definition of knowledge leads us to the following four elements of knowledge:
Observer Object Observing Capability Objectivity OBSERVER A person who seeks knowledge or is eager to learn about some truth is called an observer. This is the distinction of man alone who is the best of all the creation of Allah Almighty (SWT). An observer is generally known as a student, the one who is all the time inquisitive to know something. Knowledge is an unfathomable ocean. No one can claim possession of the whole of knowledge. He who knows a bit of it is known as a scholar.
OBJECT The thing that is being explored, sought for and known is called an object. It implies any reality concrete or abstract, whether employing senses or intellect. The entire creation that exists in the embrace of universe and its physical and metaphysical entities and truths, all are the objects of knowledge.
OBSERVING CAPABILITY This is the third element of knowledge. This relates to the susceptibility and potential of an observer to know something. If the object is of sensory nature, the observer is required to possess sensory capability to observe, perceive and know the object through five senses. On the other hand if the object can be known through reason and intellect the observer needs to have intellectual capability without which objects of reason cannot be encompassed. Thirdly if the knowledge of an object cannot be acquired without ecstasy and intuition the observer has to first equip himself with this faculty. And over and above all is the capability of receiving revelation which is the attribute of the Prophets and the Messengers alone. This is beyond human capabilities and cannot be acquired; this is absolutely a divine capability which Allah (SWT) bestows only upon His chosen servants, the Prophets and the Messengers.
OBJECTIVITY The fourth and the last of the elements of knowledge is objectivity. It signifies purpose-oriented quest to perceive and know the object. This necessitates perceptibility of the object through any of the observer’s capabilities, that it can be grasped with any of the inquisitor’s potentials.
THE CONCEPT OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE QUR'AN.....
1. Read in the Name of Allah “Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created – Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, He Who taught (the use of) the pen, Taught man that which he knew not” [Quran, 96:1-5].
اقرأ باسم ربك الذى خلق.خلق الإنسن من علق.اقرأ وربك الأكرم.الذى علم بالقلم.
Here we receive a direct commandment to recite, or read in the name of Allah – and to cherish the gift of knowledge and the use of writing and reading as a blessing from Allah to make ourselves better servants of God. We must understand that obtaining knowledge is a form of worship – a way to truly show our gratitude towards Allah.
2. Knowledge is Tawheed “There is no god but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Power, the Wise” [Quran, 3:18].
شهد الله أنه لا إله إلا هو والملئكة وأولوا العلم قائما بالقسط لا إله إلا هو العزيز الحكيم.
In this verse, we understand that we cannot just assume that we believe in tawheed, the Oneness of God. 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.
3. Study to Protect Your Faith “…they could devote themselves to studies in religion, and admonish the people when they return to them, – that thus they (may learn) to guard themselves (against evil)” [Quran, 9:122].
وما كان المؤمنون لينفروا كافة فلولا نفر من كل فرقة منهم طائفة ليتفقهوا فى الدين ولينذروا قومهم إذا رجعوا إليهم لعلهم يحذرون.
The Quran reminds us here that by devoting ourselves to the pursuit of knowledge, we can help protect ourselves from the evil and ignorance of this world. By reading and truly understanding our religion, only then can we hope for protection from Allah.
4. Gaining Knowledge is an Active Part of Faith
“And those who strive in Our (cause), – We will certainly guide them to our Paths: For verily Allah is with those who do right” [Quran, 29:69].
والذين جاهدوا فينا لنهدينهم سبلنا وإن الله لمع المحسنين.
We must remember that studying and gaining knowledge is an active act of worship – it will not always be easy and remains a form of constant struggle. But as the Quran reminds us, struggle is also an integral part of becoming a better Muslim and will hopefully guide us towards being closer to Allah.
5. Knowledge is a Blessing “…And when ye are told to rise up, rise up. Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees), those of you who believe and who have been granted (mystic) Knowledge. And Allah is well-acquainted with all ye do” [Quran, 58:11].
يأيها الذين ءامنوا إذا قيل لكم تفسحوا فى المجلس فافسحوا يفسخ الله لكم وإذا قيل انشزوا فانشزوا يرفع الله الذين ءامنوا منكم والذين أوتوا العلم درجت والله بما تعملون خبير.
While all of us have a duty to obtain knowledge, with every strive towards being better comes the blessings of Allah – meaning that to be blessed with knowledge from Allah should be one of our highest attainments. If we continuously try to learn and be better Muslims, let us pray that we all will be blessed with the Love and Mercy of Allah
Hadiths On Knowledge..
Hadith 1
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ
Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 224, Grade: Sahih
—
Hadith 2
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
وَمَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقًا يَلْتَمِسُ فِيهِ عِلْمًا سَهَّلَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهِ طَرِيقًا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَمَا اجْتَمَعَ قَوْمٌ فِي بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَيَتَدَارَسُونَهُ بَيْنَهُمْ إِلاَّ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّكِينَةُ وَغَشِيَتْهُمُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَحَفَّتْهُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ وَذَكَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ فِيمَنْ عِنْدَهُ
Whoever travels a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise. People do not gather in the houses of Allah, reciting the book of Allah and studying it together, but that tranquility will descend upon them, mercy will cover them, angels will surround them, and Allah will mention them to those near him.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2699, Grade: Sahih
—
Hadith 3
Abu Darda reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
وَإِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَتَضَعُ أَجْنِحَتَهَا رِضًا لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ وَإِنَّ الْعَالِمَ لَيَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَالْحِيتَانُ فِي جَوْفِ الْمَاءِ وَإِنَّ فَضْلَ الْعَالِمِ عَلَى الْعَابِدِ كَفَضْلِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ عَلَى سَائِرِ الْكَوَاكِبِ وَإِنَّ الْعُلَمَاءَ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَإِنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ لَمْ يُوَرِّثُوا دِينَارًا وَلَا دِرْهَمًا وَرَّثُوا الْعِلْمَ فَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ أَخَذَ بِحَظٍّ وَافِرٍ
Verily, the angels lower their wings for the seeker of knowledge. The inhabitants of the heavens and earth, even the fish in the depths of the water, seek forgiveness for the scholar. The virtue of the scholar over the worshiper is like the superiority of the moon over the stars. The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets. They do not leave behind gold or silver coins, but rather they leave behind knowledge. Whoever has taken hold of it has been given an abundant share.
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3641, Grade: Sahih
—
Hadith 4
Abu Umamah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
فَضْلُ الْعَالِمِ عَلَى الْعَابِدِ كَفَضْلِي عَلَى أَدْنَاكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ وَأَهْلَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرَضِينَ حَتَّى النَّمْلَةَ فِي جُحْرِهَا وَحَتَّى الْحُوتَ لَيُصَلُّونَ عَلَى مُعَلِّمِ النَّاسِ الْخَيْرَ
The virtue of the scholar over the worshiper is like my virtue over the least of you. Verily, Allah, his angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and earth, even the ant in his hole and the fish, send blessings upon the one who teaches people what is good.
Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
عَالِمٌ عَامِلٌ مُعَلِّمٌ يُدْعَى كَبِيرًا فِي مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَوَاتِ
A scholar who works in teaching has a high status in the domain of the heavens.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2685, Grade: Sahih
—
Hadith 5
Mu’awiyah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَنْ يُرِدْ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ
If Allah intends goodness for someone, he gives him understanding of the religion.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 71, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
In another narration, the Prophet said:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ بِالتَّعَلُّمِ وَالْفِقْهُ بِالتَّفَقُّهِ وَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَإِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ
O people, knowledge only comes by learning and understanding only comes by seeking understanding. For whomever Allah intends good, he gives him understanding of the religion. Verily, only those with knowledge fear Allah among his servants. (35:28)
Source: al-Mu’jam al-Kabīr 929, Grade: Hasan
—
Hadith 6
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
خَيْرُكُمْ إِسْلَامًا أَحَاسِنُكُمْ أَخْلَاقًا إِذَا فَقُهُوا
The best of you in Islam are those with the best character, if they have religious understanding.
Source: Musnad Aḥmad 9880, Grade: Sahih
Malik ibn Anas, may Allah have mercy on him, said:
إِنَّ حَقًّا عَلَى مَنْ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَقَارٌ وَسَكِينَةٌ وَخَشْيَةٌ وَأَنْ يَكُونَ مُتَّبِعًا لآثَارِ مَنْ مَضَى قَبْلَهُ
Verily, it is the duty of a student of knowledge to behave with dignity, tranquility, and reverence, and to follow the way of those who came before him.
Source: Jāmi’ Bayān al-‘Ilm 619
—
Hadith 7
Abu Musa reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
إِنَّ مَثَلَ مَا بَعَثَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْ الْهُدَى وَالْعِلْمِ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَصَابَ أَرْضًا فَكَانَتْ مِنْهَا طَائِفَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ قَبِلَتْ الْمَاءَ فَأَنْبَتَتْ الْكَلَأَ وَالْعُشْبَ الْكَثِيرَ يَرْفَعْ وَكَانَ مِنْهَا أَجَادِبُ أَمْسَكَتْ الْمَاءَ فَنَفَعَ اللَّهُ بِهَا النَّاسَ فَشَرِبُوا مِنْهَا وَسَقَوْا وَرَعَوْا وَأَصَابَ طَائِفَةً مِنْهَا أُخْرَى إِنَّمَا هِيَ قِيعَانٌ لَا تُمْسِكُ مَاءً وَلَا تُنْبِتُ كَلَأً فَذَلِكَ مَثَلُ مَنْ فَقُهَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ وَنَفَعَهُ بِمَا بَعَثَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِهِ فَعَلِمَ وَعَلَّمَ وَمَثَلُ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْفَعْ بِذَلِكَ رَأْسًا وَلَمْ يَقْبَلْ هُدَى اللَّهِ الَّذِي أُرْسِلْتُ بِهِ
Verily, the parable of the guidance and knowledge that Allah Almighty sent with me is the likeness of rain falling upon the earth. Among them is a good group which receives the water and thus there is abundant growth of herbage and grass. Among them is a barren land which retains the water and thus Allah benefits people from it; they drink from it and graze their animals. And it falls upon another group which is only abysmal; it does not retain water, nor does herbage grow. Such is the parable of one who understands the religion of Allah and benefits from what Allah sent with me; he learns and he teaches. Such is the parable of one who does not raise his head and does not accept the guidance Allah sent with me.
Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 79, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi.
Saying Sahaba and Scholar about Knowledge.
1) "Acquire #knowledge and learn tranquility and dignity" - Umar Ibn Khattab (RA)
2) Without knowledge action is useless and knowledge without action is futile.
Abu Bakr
3)When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue and his hands, in his prayer, in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements.
And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice, and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains – if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter.
~ Hasan Al-Basri
4)Knowledge and Ignorance In reply to some one who posed Imam Ali (as) a difficult question, Imam Ali (as) said : 'Ask in order to understand, and do not ask in order to find fault, for surely the ignorant man who wants to learn resembles a man of knowledge, and surely a man of knowledge who wants to be difficult resembles an ignorant man who wants to find fault. '
5)The State of Man of Knowledge The man of knowledge is the one who recognizes that what is known is very little compared to what is not known, and as a result he considers himself ignorant, and accordingly he increases his efforts to know more by going out in search of knowledge.
References
^ 1..a b Fudge, Bruce (7 April 2011). Qur'anic Hermeneutics: Al-Tabrisi and the Craft of Commentary (Routledge Studies in the Qur'an). United Kingdom: Routledge. p. 60. ISBN 0415782007.
https://www.al-islam.org/journal/vol-12-no3/islamic-concept-knowledge
2.. Bihar-ul-Anwar, p. 225, Vol. 1.
3..Allamah Muhammad Rida Al Muzaffar (1989). The faith of Shia Islam. Ansariyan Qum. p. 1.
5..http://www.introducingislam.org/info/muzaffar/chapter1.php 6..https://www.al-islam.org/al-tawhid/vol-12-no3/islamic-concept-knowledge/islamic-concept-knowledge
7..Sahih Al-Bukhari book 2/223
8...Sahih Muslim 27231
9... Al-Qur'an Chapter 119/1-5 Chapter 96/38