By Farhat Zafar
There was once a time when people literally travelled thousands of kilometers in quest of knowledge. At present knowledge is available at our fingertips, in the comfort of our homes, at our convenience— yet we fail to grasp it. Let’s take a look at the Sahabas who always demonstrated the utmost level of dedication and perfection in the religious matters. These are the best of followers, as proclaimed by Prophet (saws).
Ibn Abbas (ra)’s Dedication
Ibn Abbas (ra)’s quest for knowledge was such that even though he was the cousin of Prophet (saws), he went to the houses of the Sahabas to learn. If he found any Sahabi was sleeping he would sit outside the house and wait for hours, until his face and body would be covered in dust.
Abu Hurairah’s Sacrifices to Gain Knowledge
The well-known personality Abu Hurairah, who has narrated more than 5000 ahadith, also had an amazing sense of dedication in his knowledge seeking. Unlike the other Sahabis, Abu Hurayrah (ra) didn’t go out into the market to earn a living.
He chose to live in the Prophet’s mosque as part of Ahl-as-suffah (a shelter made for migrants and guests of Islam who dedicated their lives to learning from the Prophet). There would be times when he would be so hungry that he would tie a rock around his stomach to alleviate the hunger pains. He went through this pain only to spend most of his time in the company of Prophet (saws), acquiring knowledge from him.
Praise be to Allah (swt), such was their dedication. Today we can’t even imagine being anywhere near to this level. In fact it’s a shame that although the sources of knowledge are present just “clicks” away from us, we’re too heedless and indifferent to pursue it.
The Transformation Of A Prison Into A University
The importance of knowledge was also emphasized by Sheikh ul Islam Ibn Taimiyyah when he turned his place of imprisonment into a university. His efforts toward educating the prisoners and nurturing them were to the extent that the dissemination of knowledge and religion within the prison excelled certain institutions outside the prison.
He also wrote various books and papers in the prison on matters concerning Islam. He turned the miserable condition of imprisonment into the blessing of imparting knowledge.
Al-Quran– An Ocean Of Knowledge!
With regard to knowledge, the Quran is not a sea, but rather “oceans of knowledge.” Each verse, and each word and its placement is a miracle. How unfortunate are those who never get to see or experience this miracle.
If we knew a miracle was about to happen in the street, the entire community would gather to witness it (as happens with astronomical sightings). But we have a much greater miracle sitting on our shelves. Open it, and reflect on it!
As Bishr bin as-Sirri said: Verily, each verse is like a date: the more you chew it, the more of its sweetness is released.” Abu Sulayman heard this and commented: True. It is the case with one of you that if he begins one chapter of it, he wants to read it to the end.
[‘Al-Hadith fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an’: p. 70]
Start the Journey
Don’t let another day pass without making an effort to learn Arabic and delve deep into the meanings of the Quran. It’s a blessing of Allah (swt)that today we don’t have to travel far off to seek knowledge or browse through many books to find a single hadith. All courses and sources are clicks away.
All that’s required is just an hour or so from the 24 hours of health and prosperity with which Allah (swt) blesses us each day. Just make the intention, ask Allah’s help and start the journey.
I myself am doing the 70% Quranic words course and it gives me immense happiness when I can actually roughly translate the Quranic verses myself. I’m eagerly waiting for this Ramadan’s taraweeh, when I will no longer be standing like a statue understanding nothing, in shaa Allah.
Farhat Zafar, Saudi Arabia
Dear Farhat Zafar,
I fully agree with you and your passion to learn Arabic Grammar.No doubt, Quran is ocean of knowledge and source of love with ALLAH SWT and His Prophet MUHAMMAD peace be upon him.Quranic verses directs towards execution”Allah’s commands with Akhlas.” I am also trying to learn Arabic Grammar to understand Quram. May Almighty Allah SWT give us Taufeeq for better learning and spread Allah’s commands across the Globe. Ameen.
Amazing read..
If Muslims truly realise the importance Islam places on knowledge & its virtues, they will definitely be keen to learn & teach others.. They would start with themselves & their families; then their neighbours & the community at large..
Once Mu’awiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with her) gave a sermon in which he said, “I heard Allah’s Messenger saying, “If Allah wants to do good to a person, he makes him very knowledgeable in the Deen.” (Related by Bukhari and Muslim)
This is because knowledge is the basis of all good; it generates actions that are based on the commandments of Allah & the instructions of the Prophet .. Hence, every Muslim must instil in his mind a desire to seek knowledge. Allah (Most Exalted is He) instructed His Prophet — & thus all Muslims — to ask Allah to increase him in knowledge..
He said:
“And say: My Lord increase me in knowledge.”
(Qur’an, Ta-Ha 20:114)
Ma Shaa Allah (swt).
May Allah (swt) increase you in knowledge. Aameen
Summa Ameen
Jazakallah khayr for your responses. I pray that may Allah help us to seek more & more knowledge of Islam & implement it in our lives. ameen
Masha Allah. May Allah make us from those who strive to learn and practise the Quran/ Ameen
Its never too late we have to really really want to do it …ie learn understand ponder and practice and preach whatever good we ourselves have understood we have to make dua to Allah subhana thalaa to give us the taufeek to learn and understand the Quran the way the Sahabis understood it …….
INSHAA ALLAH