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Knowledge is the light that illuminates the paths of life and guides the human being to the way of perfection. It is not merely information we acquire; it is a journey towards understanding ourselves and the world around us, and a tireless endeavour to build up the earth in a manner that pleases God Almighty. Yet this light is attained only through earnestness, diligence and sincerity in seeking knowledge. God Almighty says:
﴿واتّقوا الله ويُعلّمكم الله﴾ [al-Baqarah: 282]
"Be mindful of God, and God will teach you."
This indicates that taqwā (God-consciousness) and striving are the two keys to knowledge and understanding. How, then, do we cultivate a spirit of earnestness in seeking knowledge? And how do we draw from the Noble Qur'an and the noble Prophetic Sunnah (the Prophet's practice and teaching) the lessons and principles that guide us along this blessed path?
Knowledge journeys on this subject
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1. The Passion of Beginning: A Sincere Intention and a Burning Heart:
"إنما الأعمال بالنيات، وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى" (a noble ḥadīth (Prophetic tradition), agreed upon).
"Actions are only by intentions, and every person shall have only what they intended."
Before embarking on any deed, one must define one's intention and make it sincerely for God Almighty. In seeking knowledge, a sincere intention is like the spark that kindles enthusiasm in our hearts and spurs us to persevere and continue. So let us ask ourselves: why do we seek knowledge? Is it for the sake of this world and its adornments, or is it to lift ignorance from ourselves and draw nearer to God, Mighty and Majestic? A pure intention brings blessing to knowledge and makes it a light that guides us along the paths of life.
2. Discipline: The Key to Hearts Alive with Knowledge:
The Noble Qur'an calls us to commitment and discipline in all the affairs of our lives. God Almighty says:
﴿وأوفوا بالعهد إن العهد كان مسؤولاً﴾ [al-Isrāʾ: 34]
"And fulfil the covenant; indeed, the covenant will be asked about."
Our commitment to the covenant of seeking knowledge is embodied in respecting time, attending lessons punctually, and completing assignments and taking part in activities with full earnestness and precision. Discipline is not a restriction of freedom; rather, it is an effective means of organising our time and effort and achieving our goals successfully.
The Messenger of God (صلى الله عليه وآله, God bless him and his household) was the finest example for us in discipline and excellence, for he said:
"إن الله يحب إذا عمل أحدكم عملًا أن يتقنه" (a noble ḥadīth).
"God loves that, when one of you does a piece of work, he does it with excellence."
Excellence and earnestness are two sides of the same coin, and they are among the most important traits of the successful seeker of knowledge.
3. Respect for the Teacher and for Knowledge: A Door of Blessing:
God Almighty says:
﴿ورفعنا بعضهم فوق بعض درجاتٍ﴾ [al-Zukhruf: 32]
"And We have raised some of them above others in degrees."
The disparity in degrees of knowledge among people is a divine law, and God Almighty has placed teachers in a lofty station, for they are the heirs of the prophets and the bearers of the torches of light and guidance. Respecting and honouring the teacher is not merely a moral duty; it is refined conduct that opens for us the doors of blessing in knowledge and helps us understand and absorb it.
In Risālat al-Ḥuqūq (The Treatise on Rights) by Imam al-Sajjād, Zayn al-ʿĀbidīn ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn (عليه السلام, peace be upon him), we read:
"وحق سائسك بالعلم التعظيم له، والتوقير لمجلسه، وحسن الاستماع إليه، والإقبال عليه، وأن لا ترفع عليه صوتك، ولا تجيب أحدًا يسأله عن شيء حتى يكون هو الذي يجيب، ولا تحدّث في مجلسه أحدًا، ولا تغتاب عنده أحدًا، وأن تدفع عنه إذا ذُكر عندك بسوء، وأن تستر عيوبه، وتظهر مناقبه، ولا تجالس له عدوًا، ولا تعادي له وليًا، فإذا فعلت ذلك شهدت لك ملائكة الله بأنك قصدته وتعلمت علمه لله جل اسمه، لا للناس."
"The right of the one who trains you in knowledge is that you venerate him, honour his gathering, listen to him well and give him your full attention; that you do not raise your voice above his, nor answer anyone who asks him something until he himself is the one who answers; that you do not converse with anyone in his gathering, nor backbite anyone in his presence; that you defend him if he is spoken of badly before you, conceal his faults and make known his virtues; that you do not keep company with his enemy, nor show enmity to his friend. If you do that, the angels of God will bear witness for you that you sought him and learned his knowledge for God, Majestic is His Name, and not for people."
Honouring scholars and knowing their rights is an integral part of earnestness in seeking knowledge, and a key to attaining the good pleasure of God Almighty and receiving His blessings.
4. Knowledge as Worship: The Spirit of Activities and Assignments:
In Islam, knowledge is not regarded as a merely academic activity; rather, it is an act of worship and a means of drawing near to God Almighty. The Messenger of God (صلى الله عليه وآله, God bless him and his household) said:
"مَن خرج يطلب بابًا من أبواب العلم ليردّ به ضالا إلى هدى أو باطلًا إلى حقّ، كان عمله كعبادة أربعين يوما".
"Whoever goes out seeking one of the doors of knowledge in order to bring back thereby one who has gone astray to guidance, or a falsehood to the truth, his deed is like the worship of forty days."
When we complete our educational assignments or take part in the activities required of us, we should regard them as righteous deeds that bring us closer to the good pleasure of God Almighty. This perspective changes how we view our study tasks, gives them a deeper meaning, and motivates us to carry them out with excellence and sincerity.
5. Perseverance and Patience: Lessons from the Prophets:
The Noble Qur'an inspires us with the stories of the prophets and the righteous, who set the finest examples of earnestness and perseverance in seeking knowledge. Reflect on the story of the Prophet of God Moses (عليه السلام, peace be upon him) when he sought knowledge from al-Khaḍir (عليه السلام, peace be upon him):
﴿قال له موسى هل أتّبعك على أن تُعلّمني مما عُلّمت رشدا﴾ [al-Kahf: 66]
"Moses said to him, 'May I follow you on condition that you teach me some of the right guidance you have been taught?'"
This request, full of humility, reflects Moses' (عليه السلام, peace be upon him) eagerness to seek knowledge, despite his lofty station as a prophet sent with a message.
Patience is the key to earnestness. It is narrated from Imam ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (عليه السلام, peace be upon him):
"مَن لم يصبر على ذُلِّ التعلُّم ساعةً، بقي في ذُلِّ الجهل أبدًا".
"Whoever does not endure the lowliness of learning for an hour will remain in the abasement of ignorance forever."
He (عليه السلام, peace be upon him) also said:
"لا يُدرك العلم إلّا بالصبر".
"Knowledge is not attained except through patience."
So if you face difficulties in learning, remember that perseverance and patience are the road to progress and success.
6. Organising Time and Daily Habits: A Prophetic Sunnah:
It is narrated from Imam ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (عليه السلام, peace be upon him):
"قليلٌ تدوم عليه أرجى من كثيرٍ مملولٍ منه".
"A little that you keep up is more promising than a great deal that becomes wearisome."
He (عليه السلام, peace be upon him) also said:
"قليلٌ تدوم عليه أرجى من كثيرٍ ينقطع".
"A little that you keep up is more promising than a great deal that is cut off."
So let us make learning a daily habit, even if only for a few minutes a day: reading, reviewing, or even listening to a scholarly lecture. What matters is continuity and never breaking off from seeking knowledge.
7. Cooperation and Complementarity: Let Us Build Together:
God Almighty says:
﴿وتعاونوا على البرّ والتقوىٰ ولا تعاونوا على الإثم والعدوان﴾ [al-Māʾidah: 2]
"Cooperate in righteousness and God-consciousness, and do not cooperate in sin and aggression."
Earnestness in seeking knowledge does not mean isolation and withdrawal into oneself; rather, it must go hand in hand with cooperation and complementarity with others. So let us join our peers in discussions, exchange knowledge and experience with them, and work together as one team to achieve our scholarly goals. Working together enriches understanding and strengthens the spirit of responsibility and cooperation.
Conclusion:
Earnestness in seeking knowledge is not merely an option; it is a pressing necessity for anyone who strives for light and guidance and to lift ignorance from themselves and their society. Imam ʿAlī (عليه السلام, peace be upon him) said to Kumayl ibn Ziyād:
"يا كميل، العلم خير من المال؛ العلم يحرسك وأنت تحرس المال، والعلم يزكو على الإنفاق، والمال تنقصه النفقة، ومنفعة المال تزول بزواله. يا كميل بن زياد، معرفة العلم دين يدان به، به يكسب الإنسان الطاعة في حياته، وجميل الأحدوثة بعد وفاته، والعلم حاكم والمال محكوم عليه."
"O Kumayl, knowledge is better than wealth: knowledge guards you, while you guard wealth; knowledge grows through spending, while wealth is diminished by spending, and the benefit of wealth vanishes when it vanishes. O Kumayl ibn Ziyād, knowing knowledge is a religion by which one abides [CHECK: rendering of «دين يدان به»]; through it a person earns obedience during his life and a good name after his death. Knowledge is a ruler, and wealth is ruled over."
If we make knowledge a priority in our lives and arm ourselves with earnestness, patience and sincerity, we will open for ourselves the doors of success in this world and the Hereafter, and contribute to building a bright future for ourselves, our homeland and all of humanity.
Are you ready to be a diligent seeker of knowledge? Are you ready to make every moment spent seeking knowledge an act of worship that illuminates your path and brings you closer to God Almighty?
basira.center/en/journeys/sleeping
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