SEEKING KNOWLEDGE

"And the believers should not all go out to fight. Of every troop of them, a party only should go forth, that they (who are left behind) may gain sound knowledge in religion, and that they may warn their folk when they return to them, so that they may guard themselves against evil."[Al-Tauba 9:122]

According to the renowned Quranic scholar, Abu Abd-Allah Al-Qartabi (d. 671 A.H.) this verse lays the foundation of Islam's education policy. The goal of that education is described as seeking 'tafaqquh fid deen', translated above (by Pickthall) as sound knowledge in religion. It can also be translated as sound understanding of religion. The choice of fiqh (understanding) over ilm (knowledge) here points out that what is required is not mere literacy, but insight. And it has to be of such a level that it can be a force against evil. A purely intellectual exercise bereft of that practical utility does not qualify.

This message itself is very important but what is even more important is the context in which this verse was revealed. For it happened after the Tabuk expedition, which saw the largest mobilization of the Islamic State under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam himself. To face up to one of the two super powers of that time, every able bodied Muslim was called upon to join the jihad. Despite the most adverse circumstances, everyone responded, except ten Companions who were reprimanded and later forgiven. Sura Al-Taubah contains a detailed account of all this, emphasizing the importance of responding to the call for jihad when that call is made by a competent authority. Then this verse explains that jihad should not be the only preoccupation of the Islamic State. Seeking knowledge is so important that even during the prosecution of a war, a segment of the society must be engaged in it.

Most of us are familiar with the hadith, reported by Anas, Radi-Allahu unhu: "To acquire knowledge is the duty of every Muslim man and woman." What kind of knowledge does this hadith refer to? The same as is meant in this hadith: "The scholars are heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets do not leave behind an inheritance of gold and silver; they leave behind the inheritance of knowledge. Whoever acquired knowledge, acquired a lot of wealth."