One of the distinctive features of islam is its emphasis on knowledge. The Quran and the islamic tradition(sunnah) invites muslims to seek and acquire knowledge, wisdom and to hold men of knowledge in high esteem.
In the Holy Quran the word al-ilm(knowledge) and its derivatives are used more than 780 times. The first few verses that were revealed to our Holy prophet (saw) mention the importance of reading, pen and teaching for human beings: READ "in the name of your lord who created, He created man from something which clings. Read and your Lord is the most generous, who taught with Pen. Taught man what he knew not... "(96: 1 to 5)
In the islamic traditions, there are many words of praise for knowledge and learned. It is also obvious that the decline of Ummah is a direct result of our failure to fulfil our islamic duty to pursue science, knowledge and progress. All the calamities that our Ummah suffers from illegal invasions, occupations, poverty, terrorism, civil war could have been prevented if we, as muslims, did everything we possibly could to improve our output as an Ummah in scientific research, entrepreneurship, industry and intellect.
In Islam, knowledge comes before action; there can be no action without knowledge, as Allah says:
"so know (O Muhammad) that Laa ilaaha ill-Allah(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sins, and also for (the sins of) believing men and women" (Muhammad 47:19)
Allah warns every Muslim against speaking without knowledge, as He says: " And follow not(O man, i.e., say not, or do not, or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and he heart of each of those ones will be questioned by Allah" (al-Israa' 17:36)
Islam calls us to seek knowledge. The messanger(saw) made seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim, and he explained that the supriority of the one who has kbowledge over the one who merely worships is like the superiority of the moon over every other heavenly body. He said that the scholars are the heits of the Prophets and that the prophets did not leave behind dinars and dirhams(i.e., money), rather their inheritance was knowledge, so whoever acquires it has gained a great share. And he(saw) said: "whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make a path to paradise easy for him."(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-'ilm, 10)
Islam calls us to learn all kinds of beneficial knowledge. Branches of knowledge vary in status, the highest of which is knowledge of sharee'ah, then knowledge of medicine, then the other fields of knowledge.
The best of all branches of knowledge are the sciences of sharee'ah through which man comes to know his Lord, and his prophets and messengers; He taught it to him so that he might teach it to mankind: "Indeed, Allah confered a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a messenger(muhammad)from among themselves, reciting unto them His verses(the Quran), and purifying them(from sins by their following him)and instructing them in the Book and Al-Hikmah(the wisdom and sunnah of the prophet(i.e., his legal ways, statements and act of worshio), while before that they had been in manifest error" (Aal'imraan 3:164), in everything we do as the Islamic core value of Ihsan(excellence)dictates.
Some Muslims don't pay attention to worldl'y knowledge as they think that religious knowledge is all that matters. This view is against Islamis perspective of knowledge.
Thus pursuing knowledge in particular field of science that would help alleviate the pains of humanity and advance human progress is highly applauded and appreciated in Islam. It is our duty as Muslims to excel in all fields of life; science, knowledge, business, industry, charity and political activism. It is our duty to serve justice ansd humanity. It is also our duty as Muslims to develop this world and make it a better place for everyone.
Now, we know we have to seek knowledge, but how exactly do we do it?..here are few tips to help you acquire knowledge about our beautiful deen.
1. Time management
2. Pick out a small areas to focus on
3. Stay connected with the Muslim world
4. Dedicate a special time for acquiring knowledge
5. Pick an entertaining topic to start with
6. Invest in a CD or other electronic devices(on Islamic world or other innovations)
7. Keep on making dua to Allah; this is very important for the believer in every aspect of his life.
A dua you can constantly recite to help: "Allahumma inni aoothubika minal hammi wal hazni, wal ajzi wal kasali, wal bukhli, wal jubni, wa dala'id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal"
(' O Allah, i take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men').
May Allah give us the courage and blessing to walk on the path of knowledge and stay on that path until we meet him, Insh-Allah.
Masalam.
