In the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent and Most Merciful.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Prophet and messenger of Allah, whom Allah has made a mercy to the whole universe. May the salutations extend to his companions and his household and those who follow their path till the Day of Judgment. Aameen.
SEEKING KNOWLEDGE
It was reported, the prophet said: “seeking knowledge is compulsory upon every Muslim”.
All forms of worship should be based on knowledge; that’s the first encouragement Islam recommends for its followers as stated in the Quran: “اقرأ” “read” and also in hadith.
Before any act of worship could be defined as valid, it should be scaled upon Islamic principles and disciplines, this can not be achieved except by seeking knowledge. There is no guessing in the act of worship nor doubt. These two points (guess and/or doubt) nullify one’s ibadah.
“العلم قبل القول و العمل”
Meaning: knowledge before sayings and actions.
Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an “فاعلم أنه لآ إله إلا الله واستغفر لذنبك …”
Meaning: ” So know (Oh Muhammad) that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah. And seek forgiveness for your sins….” chapter 47 verse 19.
Also, any act of worship without thorough knowledge can lead to innovation which is totally frowned upon in Islam, because it renders no reward for the worshipper. The prophet -peace and blessing be upon him- said: من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد
Meaning:
“Whoever acts on any action without our permission, it shall be rejected” from A’aisha, (May Allah be pleased with her). (narrated by Muslim).
Furthermore, if Allah could be worshipped without knowledge, what would be the essence of sending messengers to the world? But no, He sent His messengers to human beings and jins to guide them from going astray to the straight path because humans can’t achieve guidance on their own except by the permission of the One Who knows all and also to leave no excuse for His Creator. Allah says in the holy Quran:
“رسلا مبشرين ومنذرين لئلا يكون للناس على الله حجة بعد الرسل”
Meaning:
“We sent apostles as the givers of good news and Warners so that people should not have a plea against Allah after the coming of apostles”
Peradventually, scholars succeeded in the position of the prophets so that this chain could continue from one generation to another.
Also, there are many benefits of seeking knowledge. Among them are;
The Noble Prophet,( May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
”من سلك طريقا يلتمس فيه علما سهل الله له به طريقا إلى الجنة”
Meaning: “Whoever treads a path to seek knowledge, Allah makes easy for him, the way to Jannah. (From Abu Hurayrah). Narrated by Muslim.
He(peace and blessings be upon him) also said: إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عنه عمله إلا من الثلاثة، إلا من صدقت جارية أو علم ينتفع به أو ولد صالح يدع له”
Meaning: when a man dies, all his deeds are cut off from him except three things; an everlasting charity, or knowledge which benefits others or a righteous offspring who prays for him.
* The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever Allah wishes good for, He gives him the understanding of the religion”
This shows that one can only obtain Allah’s love and mercy by seeking knowledge about the Deen. And the opposite of that is being ignorant.
Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:” And seek knowledge about me before worshipping me”.
Additionally, Knowledge makes one feel like a king. Because it’s a crown that can never be taken off by anyone!!
EVILS OF WORSHIPPING ALLAH WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
There are many evils of worshipping Allah without appropriate knowledge about Him.
There is a quote that says: “Ignorance is a disease”
* It’s an act of disobedience to Allah. Allah commands us to seek knowledge about Him before worshipping Him. The punishment for disobedience is great, may Allah save us from His punishment.
* No one is an island of knowledge, you only know by asking. Allah says: ” فسألو أهل الذكر إن كنتم لا تعلمون”
Meaning: ” and ask those who if you know not”. Chapter 16 verse 43.
* Not seeking knowledge is an act of pride. Allah has promised the proud one a severe punishment. Also, there is a saying that ” pride goes before a fall”.
* Shaytaan(May Allah’s curse be with him ) succeeds in deviating one from Allah’s way by preventing one from seeking knowledge about Allah.
These are some of the evils of worshipping Allah without knowledge.
Finally, seeking knowledge has been made easy nowadays. It can be sought anywhere and everywhere, online and offline.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:” seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”.
We pray to Allah to grant us know. And seek refuge from knowledge that will not be beneficial.
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Noble Prophet, his companions and his household.
✍🏻Rasheedah Akande (Ummu Faatimah)
Mu’allimah at Al-waduud Institute