Importance of Knowledge and Wisdom - Revealed as well as Acquired, in holy Quran and ahadith
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Importance of Knowledge and Wisdom - Revealed as well as Acquired, in holy Quran and ahadith
.... by Shakeel Ahmad (shakeeluae@gmail.com)
Humans are the best of creation (Quran, 17:70), or at least better than most other creatures, not just because of the best mould in which they have been created (Quran, 95:4) but mainly because of the knowledge and wisdom that they have been endowed with. The superiority also comes from the ability provided by the Creator to acquire knowledge and wisdom and to understand their application so as to be able to use them for the benefit of humanity as well for other creatures in this universe. (Click here to read an article on the best application that we can make of the knowledge and wisdom to please our Lord) The main factor that distinguishes us from the angels is knowledge and wisdom, and that's why Allah blessed Adam (alaihis salam) with knowledge. When Allah breathed into him of His soul, along with must have come as much of His attributes (including knowledge and wisdom) as He wanted along with the perfection and balance (15:29 sawwaytu.hu wa.nafakhtu fee.hi min roohee).
The prophets were sent to train us in this aspect - recite God's instructions, purify us (remove any confusions), share the book (do's and dont's) and knowledge with us and teach us wisdom as we find in the following verses of holy Quran:
[2:129] Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah answered their invocation by sending Muhammad PBUH), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Qur'an) and Al-Hikmah (full knowledge of the Islamic laws and jurisprudence or wisdom or Prophethood), and purify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."
[2:151] "Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that which you did not know."
[3:164] "Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error."
[4:113] "Had not the Grace of Allah and His Mercy been upon you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), a party of them would certainly have made a decision to mislead you, but (in fact) they mislead none except their own selves, and no harm can they do to you in the least. Allah has sent down to you the Book (The Qur'an), and Al-Hikmah (Islamic laws, knowledge of legal and illegal things i.e. the Prophet's Sunnah - legal ways), and taught you that which you knew not. And Ever Great is the Grace of Allah unto you (O Muhammad PBUH)."
In numerous verses of Quran, Allah directs us to seek knowledge and wisdom by exploring the universe and His creations (researching and discovering what was hidden from our conscious being), some of which are listed below.
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 1
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 2.1
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 2.2
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 2.3
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 2.4
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 3.1
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 3.2
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 3.3
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 3.4
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 3.5
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 3.6
Who is a believer? Faith Check-List from Quran, Part 3.7
Verses of holy Quran Emphasising the Importance of Knowledge and Wisdom
[2:247] And their Prophet (Samuel A.S.) said to them, "Indeed Allah has appointed Talut (Saul) as a king over you." They said, "How can he be a king over us when we are fitter than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth." He said: "Verily, Allah has chosen him above you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah grants His kingdom to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."
In the above verse, Allah confirms that blessing/ possession of knowldge is far better than that of wealth in order to be assigned a higher stature or a leadership position.
[2:269] "He gives wisdom to whom He wills, and whoever has been given wisdom has certainly been granted abundant good. And none will remember (will receive admonition) except those of understanding."
[3:18] Allah bears witness that La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), and the angels, and those having knowledge (also give this witness); (He always) maintains His creation in Justice. La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
[4:162] "But those among them who are well-grounded in knowledge, and the believers, believe in what has been sent down to you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) and what was sent down before you; and those who perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat ), and give Zakat and believe in Allah and in the Last Day, it is they to whom We shall give a great reward."
[12:22] And when he [Yusuf (Joseph)] attained his full manhood, We gave him wisdom and knowledge (the Prophethood); thus We reward the Muhsinun (doers of good).
Clearly, in the above verse, Allah confirms that wisdom and knowledge are great reward from Him.
[12:76] So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother within the religion of the king except that Allah willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.
Clearly, in the above verse, Allah confirms that knowledge is an important criterion for raising of stature.
[15:53] They (the angels) said: "Do not be afraid! We give you glad tidings of a boy (son) possessing much knowledge and wisdom."
[16:125] "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided."
[18:66] Musa (Moses) said to him (Khidr): "May I follow you so that you teach me something of that knowledge (guidance and true path) which you have been taught (by Allah)?"
[20:104] We know very well what they will say, when the best among them in knowledge and wisdom will say: "You stayed no longer than a day!"
[20:114] Then High above all be Allah, the True King. And be not in haste (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) with the Qur'an before its revelation is completed to you, and say: "My Lord! Increase me in knowledge."
[21:74] And to Lot We gave judgement and knowledge, and We saved him from the city that was committing wicked deeds. Indeed, they were a people of evil, defiantly disobedient.
[21:79] And We made Sulaiman (Solomon) to understand (the case); and to each of them We gave Hukm (right judgement of the affairs and Prophethood) and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains and the birds to glorify Our Praises along with Dawud (David). And it was We Who were the doer (of all these things).
[22:54] And that those who have been given knowledge may know that it (this Qur'an) is the truth from your Lord, so that they may believe therein, and their hearts may submit to it with humility. And verily, Allah is the Guide of those who believe, to the Straight Path.
The importance is knowledge is that it helps us know the truth and the wisdom helps us act upon the knowledge in the best way that pleases the provider of knowledge (Allah).
[27:15] And indeed We gave knowledge to Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon), and they both said: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has preferred us above many of His believing slaves!"
The importance is knowledge that makes the prophet eligible for prophethood and preferable over other human beings.
[28:14] And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature, We bestowed upon him judgement and knowledge. And thus do We reward the doers of good.
Clearly, in the above verse as in 12:22 above, Allah confirms that wisdom and knowledge are great reward from Him.
[28:78] He said: "This has been given to me only because of the knowledge I possess." Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him generations, men who were stronger than him in might and greater in the amount (of riches) they had collected? But the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will not be questioned of their sins (because Allah knows them well, so they will be punished without being called to account).
[29:20] Say: "Travel in the land and see how (Allah) originated the creation, and then Allah will bring forth the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allah is Able to do all things."
"Travel in the land and see" is an instruction repeated many times in the holy Quran, emphasising the importance of acquiring knowledge of that which can easily be seen and possibly that of the unseen which needs further exploration to be seen.
[29:43] And these similitudes We put forward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His Signs).
[29:49] Rather, the Qur'an is distinct verses [preserved] within the breasts of those who have been given knowledge. And none reject Our verses except the wrongdoers.
[30:22] And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge.
[31:20] See you not (O men) that Allah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.) and hidden [i.e. One's Faith in Allah (of Islamic Monotheism) knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise]? Yet of mankind is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or a Book giving light!
[34:6] And those who have been given knowledge see that what is revealed to you (O Muhammad PBUH) from your Lord is the truth, and that it guides to the Path of the Exalted in Might, Owner of all praise.
[35:28] And likewise of men and Ad-Dawabb [moving (living) creatures, beasts], and cattle, are of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving.
[39:9] Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.
[51:28] Then he conceived fear of them (when they ate not). They said: "Fear not." And they gave him glad tidings of a son having knowledge.
While a son is definitely a blessing, the son "having knowledge" is even a greater blessing from the Almighty.
[58:11] O you who believe! When you are told to make room in the assemblies, (spread out and) make room. Allah will give you (ample) room (from His Mercy). And when you are told to rise up [for prayers, or Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's cause), or for any other good deed], rise up. Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.
As our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” [Sunan Ibn Mājah 224, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani]
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