ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ

Al-Qur`an 96:1

Read! In the name of your Lord, who created

Knowledge is not an optional component of our lives. It is very much essential for our survival. Our learning starts from our mothers womb and does not stop until we are in the womb of mother earth. Often with trial and error like a baby learning to crawl among the adults who stand tall. We continue learning to walk and talk. Vision, taste, hearing, smell and touch are introduced to newer patterns. As the physiological growth starts to transform us, spiritual growth continues on its trajectory, although closely intertwined with physical development. Our soul feeds from the surroundings. The heart is made aware of new patterns of emotions attached to new physical experiences. Happiness and sadness, laughing and crying, anger and patience, pride and humility are introduced. Spiritual and physiological tendencies continue to build our identity, composed of natural disposition and these external learnings. If a child stops seeking knowledge, it is considered a troubling sign. Their advancements are hindered. They are deemed challenged, abnormal, because seeking of knowledge is an important and natural part of our life.

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ “‏ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ ‏”‏

Ibn Majah 224

It was narrated from Anas bin Malikؓ that the Messenger of Allahﷺ said: “Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim”

Learning comes in two forms, natural and external. Natural learning is the ability of our senses to absorb knowledge from our surroundings, often unnoticeable to us. Its the ability of a child in the passenger seat learning how to steer a car, without touching the wheel. This happens overtime without any external intervention or motivation. The natural process within us decides which information to retain and which information to discard. We do not have control over this process and it does not stop until we die. This is true even for the most ignorant. However, the external learning process has been put in our control. This is how we can shape ourselves as an individual, if desired. For example, an individual exercising everyday, reading and pondering upon a subject, learning how to drive a car etc. These require some form of motivation to learn followed by an action. Sometimes there is conflict between the two information sources, and at other times they agree with each other. This struggle between the natural and external tendencies is our primary battle in life.

فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَىٰهَا ٨ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّىٰهَا

Al-Qur`an 91:8-9

then inspired it to understand what was right and wrong for it. Successful indeed is the one who purifies their soul

Wisdom gives knowledge purpose

Knowledge by itself is of very little use. It only becomes valuable when we learn how to apply it. When knowledge is applied to a situation and the resultant is used to further tweak the gaps in our learning, we become wise. Wisdom guides knowledge and knowledge propels wisdom. Knowledge without wisdom is similar to a car without wheels. It exists but is not able to serve its primary purpose. Wisdom helps us in understanding the characteristics of knowledge. Wisdom gives knowledge purpose. Pride however, can destroy the fruits of knowledge. Humility in ignorance is a far better product than pride in knowledge. Although knowledge is better than ignorance, attaching humility to either makes them a better product by far. This is the power of being humble. In our early stages of life, we have learned to crawl on all four limbs among the adults who stood tall. This is very much a humble beginning and a sign from our Creator. Pride does not befit a being whose beginnings are painted with humility.

وَمَن يُؤْتَ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًۭا كَثِيرًۭا

Al-Qur`an 2:269

And whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant wealth

Knowledge can either propel us into light or lead us into darkness. The difference being our response to this newly gained insight. This is the battle between overcoming pride, cultivating humility and showing gratitude towards our Lord. Our success from knowledge hangs in the balance. Knowledge exists in different forms –

Known Knowns

What we know, we know – This is knowledge we understand. For instance, knowing how to drive a car, knowing a language, a job skill we may have learned, or the understanding of religion etc. We understand this information and we think it is in our control to exercise it as we please. We may have forgotten this was a blessing of Allahﷻ, to have granted us this piece of knowledge. Showing Him gratitude is an appropriate response. Yet many fall prey to arrogance, narcissism and pride by crediting ourselves for this precious gift from our Lord. Leading to our own demise.

قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أُوتِيتُهُۥ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ عِندِىٓ ۚ

Al-Qur`an 28:78

Qaroon said, ‘I have been given it only because of the knowledge I possess.’

Known Unknowns

What we know, we do not know – This is the knowledge of our ignorance. For instance, When you cannot swim and you carry yourself with humility when near a river or lake. This type of knowledge has a tendency to humble most of us, if we are fortunate and blessed by our Creator. As it may also be referred to as enlightenment. A human being is successful when in company of humility while arrogance and pride only lead him to failure. Allahﷻ loves a being who is humble, as pride has no basis. The biggest mistake iblis (devil) made was to be prideful in front of Allahﷻ. He hated bowing down to Adam (peace be upon him), even when commanded by Allahﷻ. Humility is not one of his qualities, as we know. For that he paid the price and was expelled from the heavens for eternity.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْفَرِحِينَ

Al-Qur`an 28:76

Surely Allah does not like the prideful

Unknown Knowns

What we do not know, we know – These are our hidden talents. A person discovering they are good at sports, someone good at memorizing information, good at making others laugh, have a good voice etc. We discover these things throughout our lives. When we discover a hidden talent, it is an exciting feeling. We can either credit this to ourselves and fall prey to arrogance. Or be grateful to our creator for granting us this surprise, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of pride and firmly grabbing onto success and happiness. Gratitude also increases us in status with our Lord. And nothing compares to impressing our creator, Allahﷻ. This is a win-win situation.

لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ

Al-Qur`an 14:7

If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍۢ فَخُورٍۢ

Al-Qur’an 31:18

Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful

Unknown Unknowns

What we do not know, we do not know – This is ignorance and can be very dangerous for our successful survival. It can lead us onto dark roads without us so much as realizing who we have become. Imagine a baby who has not yet learned the dangers of fire. How do you avoid what you do not know? With knowledge and humility. Arrogant ignorance is the worst combination of them all. Despised by our Lord. If an ignorant does not let go of pride and arrogance, they are a danger to themselves and everyone around them. One of the remedies here is to never stop learning. Knowledge combined with wisdom can expel ignorance from within. However, knowledge and wisdom alone are worthless without guidance from Allahﷻ. They can even be downright deadly to our own self and everyone around us.

Asking Allahﷻ regularly for guidance can save us from all these dangerous pitfalls. There isn’t a single human being who can claim to be guided, other than prophets (peace be upon them). And the way of prophets was to ask Allahﷻ for guidance at every step. The rest of us cannot rest on our talents alone, no matter how amazing we think we are at any point in our lives. This is a battle only won with our Creator on our side. And He loves the ones who show gratitude and practice humility.

وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَٱلدَّوَآبِّ وَٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَٰنُهُۥ كَذَٰلِكَ ۗ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى ٱللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْعُلَمَـٰٓؤُا۟ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ

Al-Qur`an 35:28

Just as people, living beings, and cattle are of various colors. Of all of Allah’s servants, only the knowledgeable ˹of His might˺ are ˹truly˺ in awe of Him. Allah is indeed Almighty, All-Forgiving

قُلِ ٱللَّهُمَّ مَـٰلِكَ ٱلْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِى ٱلْمُلْكَ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَنزِعُ ٱلْمُلْكَ مِمَّن تَشَآءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَن تَشَآءُ وَتُذِلُّ مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ ٱلْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ

Al-Qur`an 3:26

Say, ‘Allah, holder of all control, You give control to whoever You will and remove it from whoever You will; You elevate whoever You will and humble whoever You will. All that is good lies in Your hand: You have power over everything