[20:98] Your only god is
GOD; the One beside whom there is no other god. His
knowledge encompasses all things.
-It is our duty, as believers,
to consistently seek knowledge in all aspects of
life. Without knowledge, we cannot overcome our fears and we
jeopardize our intellect and spirituality. Being ignorant
would be like being in a dark maze where we must guess our
way out. It is thus important to strive in attaining
knowledge; the only cure for one's ignorance and the basic
foundation to reach for God.
- As humans, we have been
blessed with the capacity to teach and learn. We now have
the knowledge and the ability to manufacture computers which
take on many tasks that were once almost humanly impossible.
We now transport ourselves using automobiles and air-crafts;
far better and efficient means of transportation than
animals and ships. We can teach animals such as dogs and
falcons how to hunt for our food and abide by our commands
(5:4). We even have the capability to teach chimpanzees how
to communicate with us in sign language! All this have been
attainable through the blessings of our brains,
the eyesight, and the hearing and our perseverance in
gaining knowledge, and advancing day after day.
-Prophet Moses sets a beautiful
example in how he was striving to gain knowledge from one of
God's servants who was blessed with special knowledge and
wisdom. As we can see from 18: 60-82, prophet Moses gained
the skill of patience and the refraining of shortsighted
judgment.
- The strife to increase our
knowledge is what makes us, submitters, attain our certainty
about God's existence and recognize His signs and Mercy.
When we grow in knowledge we become more intelligent and we
develop our wisdom and good logic ; additional blessings to
advance on the straight path of God:
[30:22] Among
His proofs are the creation of the heavens and the earth,
and the variations in your languages and your colors.
In these, there are signs for the knowledgeable.
[29:49] In
fact, these revelations are clear in the chests of
those who possess knowledge. Only the wicked will
disregard our revelations.
[3:190] In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
alternation of night and day, there are signs for
those who possess intelligence.
[3:191] They
remember GOD* while standing, sitting, and on their sides,
and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens
and the earth: "Our Lord, You did not create
all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the
retribution of Hell.
[13:19] Is one
who recognizes that your Lord's revelations to you are the
truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who
possess intelligence will take heed.
-God teaches us in the
following verse the difference between being knowledgeable
and ignorant for whatever reasons. We serve God and practice
His teachings properly when we are knowledgeable:
[16:76] And GOD
cites the example of two men: one is dumb, lacks the ability
to do anything, is totally dependent on his master -
whichever way he directs him, he cannot produce anything
good.
Is he equal to
one who rules with justice, and is guided in the right path?
-Attaining knowledge is
encouraged by God that He commands us to always have a team
dedicating its time and energy to learn the scripture, then,
preach it to those who are mobilizing to pursue other
important goals :
[9:122] When
the believers mobilize, not all of them shall do so. A few
from each group shall mobilize by devoting their time to
studying the religion. Thus, they can pass the
knowledge on to their people when they return, that they may
remain religiously informed.
- We should never abuse the
blessing of being knowledgeable. We must not take the credit
for ourselves but rather always acknowledge the source of
this knowledge and stay appreciative of God almighty.
This would be the healthy way to righteously use our
knowledge for the benefit of others.. The people of Babel
were able to learn how to use sorcery. However, they abused
the knowledge bestowed upon them in order to hurt others.
[2:102] They
pursued what the devils taught concerning Solomon's kingdom.
Solomon, however, was not a disbeliever, but the devils were
disbelievers. They taught the people sorcery, and that which
was sent down through the two angels of Babel, Haroot and
Maroot. These two did not divulge such knowledge without
pointing out: "This is a test. You shall not abuse
such knowledge." But the people used it in such evil
schemes as the breaking up of marriages. They can never harm
anyone against the will of GOD. They thus learn what hurts
them, not what benefits them, and they know full well that
whoever practices witchcraft will have no share in the
Hereafter. Miserable indeed is what they sell their souls
for, if they only knew.
[39:49] If the
human is touched by adversity, he implores us, but as soon
as we bestow a blessing upon him, he says, "I attained
this because of my cleverness!" Indeed, this is only
a test, but most of them do not know.
-Irrespective of how
knowledgeable a person might be, there will always be
someone who is even more knowledgeable. Therefore, we should
be humble when we share our understandings and appreciate
the guidance of others. We must benefit from those who are
more blessed than us. Being arrogant will blind us
from seeking knowledge or pursuing the truth:
[12:76] ....We
exalt whomever we choose to higher ranks. Above every
knowledgeable one, there is one who is even more
knowledgeable.
- With knowledge, we will have
the ability to distinguish right from wrong ( 55:4), and we
will be able to recognize the nasty whispers of the devil
(7:201).
-Pretending to be knowledgeable
is among the worst traits in the sight of God that we could
have and a devilish behavior. We are responsible for what
we utter and we must always utter the correct utterances or
else we would mislead our audience:
[31:6] Among the people,
there are those who uphold baseless Hadith, and
thus divert others from the path of GOD without knowledge,
and take it in vain. These have incurred a shameful
retribution.
A Common Occurrence
[22:8] Among the people there
is the one who argues about GOD without knowledge,
and without guidance, and without an enlightening
scripture.
[6:144] ....
They thus mislead the people without knowledge.
GOD does not guide such evil people."
[53:28]
They had no knowledge about this; they only
conjectured. Conjecture is no substitute for the truth.
[6:119] ...
Indeed, many people mislead others with their personal
opinions, without knowledge. Your Lord is
fully aware of the transgressors.
These pretenders are simply
like parrots:
[2:171]
The example of such disbelievers is that of parrots who
repeat what they hear of sounds and calls, without
understanding. Deaf, dumb, and blind; they cannot understand.
-Interestingly, God points out
that our brain capacity to obtain knowledge is a
time-limited process. We cannot gain any more understanding
of things after a certain age. Therefore we must do our best
to grow in knowledge and make the right decisions before the
gradual deterioration of our mental capacity takes place.
[16:70] GOD
created you, then He terminates your lives. He lets some of
you live to the oldest age, only to find out that
there is a limit to the knowledge they can acquire.
GOD is Omniscient, Omnipotent.
-One of the many attributes of the Quran is that it
is a book of knowledge and thus it is a beacon to
guide out of darkness. God wants us to
consistently study the Quran in order to grow in
faith and gain spiritual knowledge. We must devote
certain time and energy everyday in order to gain
knowledge from the Quran. Quran is a HEAVY message
with endless lessons and wisdom.
[7:52]
We have given them a scripture that is fully
detailed, with knowledge, guidance,
and mercy for the people who believe.
[16:102] Say, "The Holy
Spirit has brought it down from your Lord,
truthfully, to assure those who believe,
and to provide a beacon and good news for the
submitters."
[33:45-46] O prophet, we have
sent you as a witness, a bearer of good news, as
well as a warner. Inviting to GOD, in
accordance with His will, and a guiding beacon.
[73:4] Or a little more.
And read the Quran from cover to cover.
[73:5] We will give you
a heavy message.
[54:17] We
made the Quran easy to learn. Does any of you
wish to learn?
[55:1] The
Most Gracious.
[55:2]
Teacher of the Quran.
[4:82] Why do they not study the Quran
carefully? If it were from other than GOD,
they would have found in it numerous contradictions. *
[23:68]
Why do they not reflect upon this scripture?
Do they not realize that they have received something
never attained by their ancestors?
[47:24]
Why do they
not study the Quran carefully? Do they have locks on
their minds?
- Only the knowledgeable will
be able to utter the correct proclamation of faith and only
the knowledgeable will be able to recognize the divine
truth:
[3:18] GOD
bears witness that there is no god except He, and so do
the angels and those who possess knowledge.
Truthfully and equitably, He is the absolute god; there
is no god but He, the Almighty, Most Wise.
[34:6]
It is evident to those who are blessed with knowledge that
this revelation from your Lord to you is the truth,
and that it guides to the path of the Almighty, the Most
Praiseworthy.
________________
[20:114] ...and
say, "My Lord, increase my knowledge."
Peaceful
Friday, salaam, and God bless.
info@submission.org
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