The Importance of knowledge

Mankind is different from all creations because of

his or her ability to analyse, study, think and
reflect. Through this learning and investigation of
the world, he reaches many natural conclusions as
well as numerous questions.
Everything in creation seems to have a purpose or
role, so what is mine? Everything has an order or
law that it adheres to, so what are the guiding
principles or laws that I am meant to follow?
Everything has a clearly defined role to play, just
like the sun in our solar system, what is my role in
creation? There is a harmony and mutual co-
existence in all matters and creations, so why do
humans create so much chaos and disorder?
These are just few of these numerous questions.
Many of these questions can't be answered easily
because scientific studies and reasonings are
confined to the material world not the spiritual
and unseen world(s). For us to understand this
unseen realm, we have been provided with
knowledge in the form of religious guidance from
the creator of all these realms. Through this
guidance, the Creator provides the answers to all
our questions as well as guidelines to further
improve our own spiritual well being and
 understanding. We are encouraged to investigate
and study the material world around us so that we
can come closer to our Lord.
And verily, We have sent among every Ummah
(community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming):
"Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid all false deities
…
(Qur'ân 16:36)
Every nation was given guidance through special
teachers called prophets. They were individual
people who were purified and taught the will and
plan of God by inspiration and revelation. The
Prophet's purpose was to propagate these
teachings throughout the nation or people they
were sent to. They taught the people about their
creator and their role in this universe: they taught
the people about spiritual matters and about the
unseen world; they encouraged them to be good
and abide by the rules that their creator had laid
down. The prophets also taught them things that
were beyond their human comprehension such as
death, the Hereafter- the Day of Judgement,
Heaven and Hell.
When Adam was created he was given a unique
gift of free-will which allowed him to follow his
own thoughts and desires. The rest of creations
were different because they were pre-
programmed to carry out the commands and
wishes of their creator. For example, Angels must
carry out every command they are given, without
choice, whilst humans have a choice to disobey or
obey their creator.
If humans decide that they want to obey their
creator then they will ultimately be rewarded for
their actions and will be given a status above the
Angels. However, if humans decide to neglect the
commands of their creator and follow their own
whims, they will be punished and will be given a
lowly status.
The ability to study becomes a mean to develop an
understanding of the creation and thus
recognising the true magnificence of the creator.
The beauty of a painting may impress us so much
that we praise the artist for his ability and skill.
Similarly, we are over-awed with the beauty and
magnificence of creation - we praise its Maker.
Only by investigation and study do we see the true
brilliance and impressive qualities in creation to
give a credit to its Maker. This gives us a better
understanding of the creator and brings us closer
to Him.

Through this knowledge, a more dynamic faith

replaces the blind faith, pushes aside the barriers,
indeed shackles, of ignorance and superstition.
These gifts of intelligence and reasoning become
means of spiritual growth hence an act of worship.
They take us purposefully towards the truth,
supported by a vision of true clarity.
This day and age, we study the world around us
and credit everything to chance! We totally
neglect the spiritual side where many of the
answers lie. Humans are encouraged to study the
guidance in the Quran, which is a remedy for this
illness. It encourages them to look at the obvious
signs around them and within themselves, which
they are currently overlooking and neglecting. It
encourages them to study the Quran with an open
mind so that they too will believe, without doubt,
that this is the word of the creator. The Quran
gives them evidence to prove its case and shows
them many signs that strengthen its arguments. It
appeals directly to the heart and soul.
Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the
Qur'an, or are their :hearts locked up by them?
(Qur'aan 47:24)
Soon will we show them our signs in the (furthest)
regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until
it becomes clear to them that this is the truth...
(Qur'an 41:53)
It gives them proofs and truths, the magnitude of
which they are beginning to understand today.
Although the Quran was revealed in an age of
backwardness and ignorance, the message of the
 Quran is applicable and needed today as it was
1400 years ago. New weight is give to the 'signs' in
the Quran when studied by modern scientific
methodology. Not only does modern scientific
knowledge confirm that every statement in the
Quran is scientifically correct but also poses many
questions such as how such knowledge ended up
in such an old book.
"...our knowledge of these disciplines is such, that
it is impossible to explain how a **** produced at
the time of the Qur'an could have contained ideas
that have only been discovered in modern times."
Dr. Maurice Bucaille
Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and
the earth were joined together (as one unit of
creation), before we clove them asunder? We
made from water every living thing. Will they not
then believe? [Qur'an 21:30]
It provides advice and guidelines for all humans to
follow so that they can maintain a healthy physical
and spiritual life as well as abide on earth in peace
and harmony. It doesn't ask for blind obeying of
commands and rules but instead asks us to use the
intelligence that we were born with to come to the
truth. Sincere searching for the truth with
objectivity can only lead to the one truth - God
Almighty.
The start of every journey is with the first
 footstep; the success of every project lies in its
foundations. The first step is a desire to search for
the truth and the foundation is a good
understanding and recognition of our creator.
When we have a firm grasp of the basics of life,
the path in life becomes easy with the many
obstacles and pitfalls clear and easy to identify.
The mind remains open and the tools of study -
reasoning and understanding - remain sharp and
effective.
May Allah make our journeys in life easy and help
us to tread the path of his pious servants and
teachers. May Allah illuminate our paths in life
with the light of the Quran and Sunnah.