The Importance of Knowledge

When you think of the word “farizat”, the religious obligation and duty to perform the five farizat namaaz, the farizat roza of Shehrullah, the farizat of zakaat and Hajj come to mind. Given that, it is incredible that Rasulullah SA used the word farizat to describe every Muslim’s duty to seek knowledge.

Of all the things that we can leave behind for our children, knowledge is the best. Amirul Mumineen SA said, “knowledge is the best inheritance.” Material wealth may run out, but the wealth of knowledge is never depleted. It is an invaluable asset here and in the Hereafter.

In the time of Imam Ali Zainul Aabideen SA, a group of people decided to travel to China from Madina to seek knowledge. Their well-intentioned but misled purpose was to follow – quite literally – Rasulullah’s SA Hadith, “pursue knowledge even if it is as far away as China”(utlubul ‘ilma wa law bis-seen).

Amirul Mumineen SA said, “knowledge is better than wealth” (al-ilmu khayrun minal-maal). He added that, “knowledge protects you and you must protect your wealth” (al-ilmu yahrusuka wa anta tahrusul maal). He further added, “spending wealth decreases it, and knowledge increases when imparting it” (al-maalu tanqusuhun-nafaqah, wal-ilmu yazku alal-infaaq).

On 24th Rabiul Aakhar (13th February) Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin was warmly received by the President of India His Excellency Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

That the Faal from the Quran contains Truth. When I opened the Quran, the ayat that appeared at the beginning of the page was ‘lahu Dawatul Haqq’ – Khuzaima Qutbuddin is the one who will establish the Dawat of Haqq, the Dawat of Imam-uz-zaman”.

Ilm protects you and you have to protect your maal. Material wealth depletes when you spend it; and the wealth of knowledge increases when you give it to others. As your money decreases its ability to garner favors diminishes, and knowledge continues to garner respect in one’s lifetime and positive remembrance after death. Knowledge rules, and money is ruled over.

The Qur’an – the eternal book of guidance – is the source of all knowledge. According to our belief, the Imams are the ‘speaking’ Qur’ans who reveal to believers the true meaning of the Qur’an. The Qur’an was revealed to Rasulullah SA, and no one other than him could claim to transmit it. Similarly, the true meaning of the Qur’an is only that which is explicated by Maulana Ali SA and the Imams.