All About Knowledge
Monday, 05 May 2008 12:00
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The Definition of Knowledge

Knowledge. What IS knowledge? You think for a second. Unfortunately, a 90 year old man comes to your mind. He’s sitting in a library, surrounded with piles and piles of books and is doodling in a notebook. Right. Let’s do that one more time then….

What IS knowledge? Well, simply put it’s the opposite of ignorance. Great, you say, but that doesn’t really tell me much. Well, ignorance is not being aware of the things that one is obliged to know. In the Islamic context, knowledge is defined as religious knowledge i.e. knowledge of the Shariah (the Islamic law). Therefore, this knowledge consists of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

The Importance of Knowledge

Shaikh Bakr Abu Zayd1 describes knowledge as “the most precious pearl in the crown of the purified Shariah”.2

Knowledge is ibaadah3 (worship). In fact, all the acts of worship depend on knowledge. Imam Bukhari stated in his Saheeh4 in the Book of Knowledge that:

Chapter: Knowledge comes before speech and action due to Allah’s statement:

“So know (O Muhammad (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam)) .that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”5

One cannot worship Allah except by knowing how to do it (using the Quran and Sunnah). Allah says:

“Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allah's Signs and Verses).”6 (Az-Zumar 39:9)

In this ayah7, Allah speaks about worship and then mentions the people of knowledge. Therefore, one needs the proper knowledge to worship Allah. In fact, for any act to be accepted by Allah, it needs to fulfill two conditions:

  1. It should be done solely for the sake of Allah (this relates to the intention and is discussed later).

  2. It should be according to the way of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

The importance of knowledge is such that Allah raises those who He grants it to:

“Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe and those who have been granted knowledge.”8

Interestingly enough, there is only one place in the Quran where the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is ordered to supplicate for a specific thing and that thing is knowledge.

“And say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge."”9

The Ruling on Seeking Knowledge

All of the above obviously begs the question, “Does everybody HAVE to seek knowledge?” Well, yes as seeking religious knowledge is obligatory as the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation on every Muslim.”10

This does NOT mean that every Muslim is obliged to learn each and every aspect of the Shariah. What it does mean, however, is that there are certain forms of knowledge that are an obligation for every Muslim e.g. knowledge of tawheed (the unity of worship, which is the base of our religion), tajweed (the art of the recitation of the Quran) and the knowledge that one requires in carrying out his worship (like his prayers) and his transactions. As for the recommended forms of knowledge, they are obligation on the Muslim community as a whole meaning that there must be some people that exist in the community that are learned in it and that propagate it.

As for other types of knowledge (assuming that they are beneficial), they are a collective responsibility on the community. These include medicine, engineering, teaching, etc.

As for knowledge that is not beneficial, it must be kept away from. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) used to supplicate, “Oh Allah, I seek refuge in you from knowledge that does not benefit.”11


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