ILM: (Knowledge)
The aim of acquiring knowledge is to create zeal to learn and put into practice of all the commandments of Allah by the listing or reading the virtues of our deeds and what punishment is store for us if we disobeyed Him.
The Ilm (knowledge) means the acquisition of Knowledge of Islam, is one of the most essential requirement of human being. It raises him to the heights of goodness and gives a noble position and real happiness in the two worlds, and above all it helps to attain the Divine Approbation. Allah likes only that knowledge which helps a man in becoming a true obedient servant of Him. He has promised great rewards for those who seek such knowledge.
Allah says in Holy Quran:
Even as We have sent to you a messenger from among you, who reciteth to you Our revelations and causes you to grow, and teacheth you the Scripture and wisdom, and teacheth you that which you knew not. (2:151)
He giveth wisdom to whom He will, and he to whom wisdom is given, he truly has received abundant good But none remember except men of understanding. (2:269)
And that those who have been given knowledge may know that it is the truth from your Lord, so that they may believe therein and their hearts may submit humbly to Him. Surely! Allah verily is guiding those who believe to a right path. (22:54)
The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) says:
" He who leaveth home in search of knowledge walketh in the path of Allah." He also says:
"For him who goes out in search of religious knowledge Allah shall make easy the way to Heaven"
To acquire an amount of knowledge that enable a man to perform his religious
duties correctly is incumbent upon all Muslims, men and women. The Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) says:
" The acquisition of knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim."
When we have affirmed faith in the Lordship of Allah we became bound to follow His
Commandments in every walk of our life. This naturally can only be done when we have
necessary knowledge of His Laws. If we do not know what deeds please Allah and what deeds
displease Him we are most likely to fall into the abyss of error and commit great
sins. We have therefore to acquire sufficient knowledge of Allah's Commandments
relating to our Aqaa-id (beliefs); Ibaadaat (worship)
Muamalaat (mutual dealings and transactions) Akhlaaq (Moral character)
Aadaabul Muasharat (Social Etiquette). It maybe borne in mind
that to exert oneself for the sake of obtaining an adequate knowledge of the Faith is also
an act of worship that very often supersedes the Nafl (supererogatory prayers). The
Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) says:
" It is better to spend an hour in learning and teaching knowledge than to pray (supererogatory) Salaat the whole night"
Hence, it is our duty to acquire knowledge and instil it into others in order to
earn our title to the Divine Rewards. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) says:
" Whoever seeketh knowledge and findeth it will have two reward one of them the reward for desiring it and the other for obtaining it; therefore even if he who doth not attain it, for him is one reward."
He also said
"That person who shall die while he is in search of knowledge in order to receive the knowledge of the religion will be only one degree inferior to the Prophets."
The cultivation of religious knowledge is binding on all Muslims, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, male and female, old and young. We must take every opportunity to learn the religion and to teach it to others. It must, however, be remembered that only reading of books cannot suffice at all. We have to practise whatever we learn. 'Umar (Radiallahu Ta'ala 'Anhu) was once asked who were the Learned and he replied: " Those who practise what they know."
A man who is favored by Allah and acquires knowledge of the religion is discarded if he does not practise it. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) says:
" The best of human being is a good learned man and the worst of them is bad learned man. (i.e. one who does not practise what he knows."
We should therefore make up our minds that we will strive earnestly to equip ourselves with adequate knowledge of the Faith and with its proper execution.
a special attention should be paid to create an inner urge for acquiring sufficient knowledge and practising it in actual life. To achieve this purpose, virtues of the prayers and moral behaviour should be explained in detail.
Knowledge and Remembrance of Allah are two such basic virtues on which the real
Islamic idealism is based. in effort to establish the divine law will be to no
avail if, along with them, we do no pay proper attention to Ilm
(Learning) and Dhikr (Rememrance)
Ilm and Dhikr are the two wings without which one cannot fly in these
surroundings. What is more, if Ilm and Dhikr are neglected, this effort
may become a new source of mischief. Without Ilm, Islam or Imaan are a mere
formality, and without Dhikr ,
Ilm is pure darkness. Effulgence is producted in Ilm by Dhikr and real fruits of
Dhikr are gained only when Ilm too is there. Remembrance of Allah purifies our
heart and polishes it while knowledge of the religion enlightens the right way for
us and enables us to follow the right path. The Holy Quran and the Hadith have laid
great stress on these two qualities. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu 'alayhi Wasallam) says:
" Curse is this world and cursed is all that is in this word except the Remembrance of Allah and that which aideth thereto and the seeker of the religious knowledge."