‘Whoever treads a path, seeking knowledge by it, Allah will make it easy for him his path towards paradise……’ Abu Huraira narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that, ‘Knowledge is given a great importance in Islam as it is made compulsory on all Muslims.’
Knowledge has its way in which it is obtained. Amongst them are:
SINCERITY
Allah asks His servant to ask Him for beneficial knowledge. And say, ‘O Lord, increase me in knowledge’ (Taha:14). We are to seek the assistance of Allah sincerely in seeking knowledge to get the blessing in it.
STRIVE
In seeking knowledge, one has to strive. You can not be idle and hope for knowledge. By going to a gathering of knowledge, reading books, and listening to authentic scholars are many ways to strive for it. Adopting and practising what is learnt surely aids in the struggle to attain knowledge.
TAQWA
The taqwa of Allah should be in the heart of a knowledge seeker as disobedience blocks it. Allah said ‘O you who believe! If you have the taqwa of Allah, He will grant you a criterion(to judge between truth and falsehood).
Being arrogant and shy hinders knowledge-seeking. One should not be too timid to ask or full of oneself to seek. No one is an island of knowledge. It is advised to ask about a matter that is not clear from a knowledgable scholar irrespective of age or race.
It is of great importance to seek knowledge. It is made compulsory for all Muslims. Without knowledge, a Muslim can not fulfil the pillars of Islam successfully. The first ayah revealed to our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was ‘Read in the name of your Lord.’
How magnificent is Allah who made knowledge compulsory for His slaves with that single ayah?