Islam is the path of knowledge (‘ilm). The first
teaching class for Adam started soon after his creation and he was taught ‘All
Names’. The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “One who
realizes his own self, realizes his Lord.” Knowledge (‘ilm) in Qur’anic
Ayahs is referred as light (nur) and Allah is also described as ultimate nur.
It means that in general sense knowledge (‘ilm) is synonymous with the light of
Allah. In Islam, knowledge (‘ilm) is not mere information, it requires the
believers to act upon their believes. The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali
(a.s.) said, “The reward for piety in the other world would be bestowed upon a
believer in proportion to the degree of his intellectual development and his
knowledge.”
Great emphasis has been placed on knowledge in the
Glorious Qur’an and by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). The word “knowledge”
and its derivatives has been used 854 times in the Glorious Qur’an. There is a
tradition of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) encouraging Muslims to go out to
far flung places even China to acquire knowledge as it is obligatory. Of
course, at that time, Islam was still within the Arabian Peninsula. There
is yet another tradition wherein he (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Ana Madinatul Ilm wa
Aliun Babuha” translated as, “I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its
Gateway.”
Surah ar-Ra’d Ayah 43 says, “And those who disbelieve
say:’ You are not a Messenger’. Say: Allah is sufficient as a witness between
me and you and he with whom is the knowledge of the Book.” Abu Saeed Khidary
said that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said the person referred in the Ayah
is “my brother Ali ibn Abu Talib” (Tafsir al-Mizan)
Surah Ale-Imran Ayah 7, says, “He it is Who has sent down
to you the Book, in it are decisive Ayahs which are the basis of the Book,
while others are allegorical. But for those in whose hearts there is
perversity, they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking (to cause)
dissension by seeking it (their own) interpretation, while none knows its
(hidden) interpretation except Allah and those firmly rooted in knowledge.”
Anas bin Malik asked the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) as to who are the
“firmly rooted” persons. He (s.a.w.a.s.) replied, “They are those who perform
good deeds, they are truthful, their hearts are straight, avoid prohibited
food, protect their private parts.” Naturally, these qualities were possessed
by the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Progeny.
Prophet Sulayman asked his companions as to who can bring
the throne of Sheba quickly, Asif Barqiya (his vicegerent) said that he will
bring before an eye twinkling. The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah al-Niml Ayah
40, “One with whom was some knowledge (of the part) of the (Divine) Book said: “I
will bring it to you before your eye twinkles.”
Hence, we can imagine the great status of the Commander
of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) who had the compete knowledge of the Book (the
Glorious Qur’an).
The place of scholars in Islam is that the light of
knowledge and learning has encompassed their entire existence and has radiated
allowing them to see the light of Allah, faith and piety. They are dedicated
people practicing what they preach!
Sources: The Glorious Qur’an,
Islamic concept of knowledge by Sayyid Wahid Akhtar, The Status of knowledge in
Islam by Mohammad Hossein Faryab, al-Islam.org
