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In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful. 

Learning & Knowledge and its status

 

Written by:  Sk Abd-Razzag Taher Farih

Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa

 

27 July 2018

14 Thul_Qada 1439.

 

Dearly beloved,

 

Allah may He be praised Has honoured science and scholars. The messenger ppbu also has honoured science and scholars. Allah ordered His prophet to get more of anything other than of science and knowledge. Allah says: {and say: “my Lord! Increase me in knowledge.”} 20:114. That is for the greatness of honour and status of knowledge and science or education. Allah also says: {Allah bears witness that there is no other God but He, also give this witness: the angels, and the scientist or those with knowledge; (He always) imposes justice. No other God but He, the Exalted, the All-Wise.} 3:18. Ebn-Al-Qayem said: Allah Himself have given witness on His singularity or being monotheist. He seconded that by His angels, then He used as third witness group are the people of knowledge or scholars. Allah does not use a faulty item as a witness. So, this verse shows the status of knowledge and the people of knowledge.

Allah says in His book: {.. Are they equal, those who know and those who do not know?..} 39:9. You, slaves of Allah should know that an individual can not win and gain Allah’s being pleased with him/her in this life and next except with or through knowledge. As long as people are the right knowledge then they are on guidance and they are fine. If knowledge is removed through the demise of the scholars then people will start to take their knowledge from those who are ignorant or from non-scholars. People will then fall into misguidance and suffering.

Real life is the life of knowing Allah and knowing His messenger and the knowledge of Allah’s religion.

 

(Poem)

Well done to the people of knowledge,

They are guided, and beacons for those who seek guidance.

The fate of every individual is what they did perfect,

Those who are ignorant are enemies of those who know,

Win some knowledge and you shall live for ever

For people are dead, but the scholars keep on living.

 

The messenger ppbu said: {whosoever Allah wishes them good fortune then He would grant them knowledge in religion}

The messenger ppbu also said: {whosoever take a path seeking to learn and gain knowledge then Allah will make easier his/her path to paradise. And angels lay down their wings to this who seeks knowledge in acceptance and contentment with what he/she is doing. And a scholar is in the prayers of those in the heavens and the earth asking for forgiveness, even the whales in the sea. And the status of a scholar over a person who worship Allah is like the difference between the moon and the rest of the planets. And the scholars are those who inherit the prophets. And prophets did not leave inheritance of pounds and pennies, but they left knowledge. Whosoever takes it they have taken a great fortune}.

The messenger ppbu said: {When son of Adam dies, then his/her deeds ends except in three cases: an ongoing donation, or some useful knowledge, or a pious or devout son/daughter who make duaa prayers for him}

 

 Safwan Ebn Assal Al-Muradi said: I came to the prophet ppbu while he was at the mosque resting on a red cloak of his and I said: O messenger of Allah, I have come to learn or seeking knowledge. The messenger ppbu said: {Welcome with learner or knowledge seeker. For a knowledge seeker is surrounded by angels with their wings, then one is stacked on top of the other until they reach the nearer heavens out of their love for what he/she is seeking}.

 

Knowledge that is considered here is explained as the knowledge which Allah Has complemented or praised its people in generality, is the knowledge of the book and the messenger’s way of life (Sunnah). But, does that mean that other fields of knowledge an science like medicine, engineering,  astronomy, nuclear physics and geology when they are sought are they not rewarded for learning such science? The original rule states that: “If a compulsory action can only be achieved through another action, then this other action is also compulsory”. The nation (Ummah) needs such fields of knowledge then it is necessary to for many to specialize in such fields of knowledge. It is necessary that the intention is there to benefit the nation by such knowledge sought. With such intention then hopefully Allah will not deny them the reward for seeking such knowledge. In fact we must be creative in all aspects of life. The religious science or knowledge is the one that Allah Has complemented its people, and also the messenger ppbu complemented its people, and it is compulsory for every Muslim regardless of what his or her specialty is, to be have knowledge of the compulsory rituals of faith. You also ought to know that there is no value for a knowledge or science we learn that does not change our lives in practicality.

 

Allah says: { O ye who believe! why do say that which you do not do? (2) It is tremendously hateful in the sight of Allah that you say that which you do not do. (3)}  61:2-3. Allah also says: {Do you command right conduct on the people and forget (to practice it) yourselves and yet you recite the Scripture? Are you sane?} 2: 44. The good knowledge is the one that encourages you to work, and is the one that generates God fearing into you, and the one that puts love for obedience, and makes you hate sin and disobedience. It creates kindness and respect for people and the good behaviour, morals and staying cool. You who wants to win in this life and the life next, you who wants to remain firm in the face of temptations, you who wants a way to salvation and rescue. There is no rescue except with knowledge of the book of Allah and the Sunnah of His messenger ppbu.

 

 

 

Notes:

  1. Adhan - The call to prayer.

  2. Ahmad (Ahmed)- Another name for the messenger Muhammad (PPBU).

  3. Allah - The Arabic word for "god."  It is often used as a name for God in Islam.

  4. Ansar (or Al-Ansar): The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.

  5. Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.

  6. Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

  7. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.

  8. Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.  

  9. Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa) 

  10. Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.

  11. Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.  

  12. Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life. 

  13. Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

  14. Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.

  15. Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.

  16. Fiqh - Religious law.

  17. Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.

  18. Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.

  19. Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar.  One of the five pillars of Islam.

  20. Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.

  21. Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers.  Considered authoritative and perfect.

  22. Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.

  23. Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.

  24. Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.

  25. Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.

  26. Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.

  27. Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.  

  28. Iman: belief or faith

  29. Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.

  30. Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.

  31. Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise.  The place of the faithful in the afterlife.

  32. Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."

  33. Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels.  They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.

  34. Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.

  35. Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".

  36. Khutbah  - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.

  37. Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.

  38. Koran - Also spelled Qur'an.  The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel.  Koran literally means "the recital."  It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)

  39. Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.

  40. Masjid - A center for Muslim activity.  It is referred to as a mosque.

  41. Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act

  42. Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).

  43. Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.

  44. Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.

  45. Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations.  He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah

  46. Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.

  47. Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.

  48. Nasara - Christians.  Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.

  49. Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.

  50. Paradise - Another word for heaven.  A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live  in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.

  51. PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.

  52. Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.

  53. Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.

  54. Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.

  55. Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.

  56. Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.

  57. Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.

  58. Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.

  59. Shirk - Associating another god with Allah.  Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.  

  60. Siam  or Soam- Fasting

  61. Sunni: is a the title of  those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.

  62. Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.

  63. Surah - A chapter of the Koran.  

  64. Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.

  65. Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)

  66. Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah.  A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.

  67. Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.

  68. Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.

  69. Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.

  70. Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.

  71. Zaboor - The Psalms

  72. Zakat - The third pillar of Islam.  Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.

 

 


Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com