Ilm and Madaaris
AN OBJECTION
An objection or a query may be posed at this juncture. If in the past there emerged from the portals of these Madaaris great and illustrious men of outstanding spiritual and intellectual ability and rank, Ulama and Mashaaikh of the highest order and calibre, Stars of guidance and perfection, then what has happened now? Why do we no longer find such men of outstanding calibre being prepared by the Madaaris¿ The simple answer to this query is that Deeni knowledge is no longer pursued and acquired in the manner in which our illustrious predecessors did. Nowadays, their method and their attitude are no longer adopted. Their example is no longer adhered to. This then is the reason for the absence of such men of intellect, insight, intelligence, knowledge and spirituality. The attainment of the barakaat and the fruits of knowledge which were experienced long ago is possible only by following the ways and methods of those great souls who were outstanding Stars of success in the realm of Deeni knowledge. The methods and life-styles of our illustrious Aslaaf during their student days are extant in great detail in many books on their lives. A brief description will be presented here to facilitate insight into the matter.
The former noble Ulama of the Deen during their period of acquiring knowledge upheld all the conditions requisite for the acquisition of Deeni knowledge and they abstained rigidly from all such factors which constitute impediments and harms in the path of acquiring Deeni knowledge. They were therefore blessed with the wealth of Deeni knowledge true knowledge, its barakaat and effects. A logical and an accepted requisite for the derivation of the fullest effect and benefit of anything is the combination of the following two ingredients:
(1) Fulfillment of the conditions (Shariat), and
(2) Elimination of all obstacles (Mawaani)
Let us now examine in the light of the afore-stated logical principle, the state of those involved in the acquisition of Deeni knowledge. An examination will reveal that generally, no consideration is given to this principle. Its requirements are not met. Students accord no attention to the adoption of the shari (conditions) imperative to the acquisition of Ilm nor do they bother about the mawaani (obstacles and impediments). They fail to abstain from factors harmful and utterly destructive to Ilm-e-Deen. This uphill Path in the quest of the lofty and celestial knowledge of the Deen is cluttered with many a pitfall, danger, harms and obstacles. But students of this knowledge no longer care to save themselves from these factors, which apply a strong braking effect on the acquisition of Deeni knowledge. In fact, the overwhelming majority of todays students are not even .aware of the conditions and the impediments of Deeni knowledge. On the other hand, those who are aware of the conditions and impediments of tahseel-e-ilm are overwhelmed by negligence, indolence and the greatest disaster of all, viz., liberalism.
Abu Dardaa (one of Rasulullahs Sahaba) narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alibi Wasallam) was questioned about those grounded in knowledge (the expression used in the Quran.) Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied: They are those who fulfill their pledges; who speak the truth; whose hearts are pure; who maintain the purity of their stomachs (they do net devour what is unlawful); and, who guard their chastity (they do not indulge in fornication) – they are the men grounded in knowledge.
(Tafseerul Mazhari)
SHARA-IT OF ILM (KNOWLEDGE)
The first and foremost condition of knowledge is ikhlaas (sincerity). The student must be genuine in his quest for knowledge. This is absolute and imperative. If he fails in this fundamental and pivotal requirement, all his efforts in the quest of llm-e-Deen will be fruitless. In addition, his quest must be correct and true. Ilm is not attainable by mere desire and imagination by hopes and wishes without toil and labour. Ilm is no intellectual pastime. It is not an activity to fulfill the demand of leisure. Its attainment is difficult because it is not a cheap entity nor is it a substance of inferior quality. It is a priceless treasure, hence everyone is not in position to procure it. Ilm is not like a lewd woman to be prostituted by all and sundry. Its similitude is that of a royal princess of exceptional grace, modesty, chastity, beauty, charm and elegance Her noble qualities have captivated a whole world. A thousand efforts too in her quest go in vain. It has thus been said:
Knowledge will not give you even a part of it until you do not give up your whole to it.
As long as the student of Deeni knowledge is not totally absorbed in knowledge, he will not acquire a share of true knowledge-of this knowledge of the Deen. This knowledge will not open up its Door to the one who refuses to submit himself in entirety to its dictates. The treasure of llm can never be acquired by the student dwelling in negligence, indolence and in the pursuit of mundane comfort and luxury. It is imperative that the student sacrifices comfort and luxury and adopt difficulty, hardship and the correct ways and means of acquiring knowledge. Mere wishes and hopes will never avail, in this field which demands toil and sacrifice. In this regard the Muhaqqiqeen have said:
If the acquisition of this [Deeni] knowledge was by means of wishes, there would not have remained an ignoramus in -creation. Therefore, strive and be not indolent for the consequence of regret is for the indolent.
It is thus abundantly evident that nothing is attainable on the basis of wishes and hopes. Great effort, devotion and sacrifice are required. The correct ways and means have to be harnessed. One who merely desires knowledge, is not in the quest of knowledge. A claimant will be said to be a true searcher of knowledge only if he harnesses all the requirements, ways and means of knowledge. Adoption of the correct ways and means and the elimination of the obstacles are essential for success in every sphere of life. One who denies this fact or is not prepared to undergo the trials and rigours, nor devotes himself to the task or mission of his wishes, will never attain his desired goal of success. Such a person is merely building castles in the air.
Taking admission in a Madressah, living there and engaging superficially in the study of books will never suffice. This type of student is like a man wandering aimlessly around a farmland. He does not adopt the ways and means of agriculture-he does not labour and toil, but he expects a harvest of crops. Everyone will label such a man as an ignoramus. It must now be perfectly clear that the first and foremost condition for the acquisition of Deeni Knowledge is a genuine quest and such a quest entails the cultivation of the ways and means.
It is essential that three facts concerning knowledge be understood otherwise there will remain ambiguity, deficiency and weakness in ones quest for llm. These three facts are:
(1) Definition of Ilm.
(2) The subject matter of Ilm.
(3) The purpose and goal of Ilm.
A detailed explanation of these will now be presented.
THE CONCEPT, OF ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE
DEFINITION OF ILM
The written characters, the words and the teaching of the written words are not llm (knowledge). The study of books, instruction and all things related to tuition and study are mere external forms and representations of llm like pictures or images of objects are not the actual objects. Since the words represent and are indicative of Jim, they are figuratively described as llm. Among the definitions of llm given by the authorities some appear hereunder.
(1) Knowledge is Noor [Light] and ignorance is zulmat [darkness].
(2) Knowledge is that entity which no thief can steal, no eliminator can eliminate, no divider can divide. Fire cannot burn it; the ocean cannot drown it and worms cannot devour it. It remains attached to the Aalim. Wherever he goes and in whatever condition he may be in.
(3) Aini said: The Ulama differ in the definition of llm. Some say that, it is indefinable while others aver that it can be defined. The best. definition is: Knowledge is an attribute among the attributes of the nafs. It produces perfect recognition in the metaphysical realm.
(4) Hadhrat Ali [radiallahu anhu] said: llm is an everlasting treasure which will not perish.
(5) Ziyaad Bin Labeed (radiallahu anhu) said: Nabi [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] while explaining a certain matter said: That will occur when ilm disappears.
[Ziyaad] said: 0 Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam ]! How will llm disappear while we are reciting the Quraan and are imparting the Quraan. to our offspring and they to their offspring until the Day of Qiyaamah?
Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] said: Alas! 0 Ziyaad! I thought you were among the most intelligent in Madinah. What! Do these Jews and Christians not recite the Taurah and the Injeel while they do not practice on anything of these Books?
In Kaukab it is said: llm has no reality if unaccompanied by amal [practice], like the Ahl-e-Kitaab who are like asses loaded with books, for they derive no benefit from their knowledge.
In Mirqaat it appears:
An Aalim who does not act according to his knowledge is like a jaahil or worse. In fact, he is like an ass loading books. These people are like animals or more astray.
These statements show that llm is not books or what is written in books. Words and expositions are not llm. These are merely indicators of knowledge or reflections of knowledge. They create in one the desire for the acquisition of knowledge.
When Allah Taala desired to send the Noor of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) into this lowly and material world so that faidh (spiritual benefit) may be imparted to creation, He did not send it (the Noor) in its original form, but dispatched that Noor via a medium because we lack the capability of deriving benefit from that Noor in its original state. Even if we can derive some benefit from that Noor in its original form, it will be limited and without our knowledge. It would have been a faidh which accrued to us unconsciously. It would have been like the light from the sun. We derive benefit from it, but not by our volition. The relationship of instruction (taleem) and the acquisition of knowledge [taallum) could not have been established with pure Noor in its original state. Thus the true purpose would have remained unattained. And, the true purpose of the dispatch of this Noor into this material realm is, in fact, this taleem and taallum. Thus Allah Taala sent Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in material form, with a physical body for our benefit.
In the same way llm is too a Noor which Allah Taala sent for our benefit in the form of words and inscriptions. Thus, Jim is not mere words and inscriptions, but is in reality a Noor bestowed to us in the farm of letters and words so that we may attain via this medium the haqaaiq, ma-aarif and laws (i.e. the realities of the Noor of knowledge. Alas! By afar and great, people are unaware of this transcendental reality. It is because of this ignorance that nowadays the acquisition of mere words and letters is considered a great achievement and excellence. But, the Noor of knowledgetrue understanding and insightis not acquired thereby.
