Dear Muslims!
One day, our Prophet (saw) told about the value of knowledge to his Companions as follows: "He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are indeed the heirs of the Prophets. The Prophets bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge. And he who acquires it has in fact acquired an abundant portion."[1]
Dear Believers!
One of the wisdoms and purposes of Islam is to teach people the paths that lead to the right and truth, as well as to remove ignorance. People of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds need education and training, as well as decent manners and a moral code. This is because people can only make sense of revelation through knowledge and education. They render their world prosperous through knowledge and education. They illuminate their hearts, souls, and consciences through knowledge. They figure out the reason for their existence through knowledge. They equip themselves with morals and manners through knowledge.
Dear Muslims!
The source of knowledge ('ilm) is Allah the Almighty (swt). He (swt) is al-Alim, the All-Knowing. He (swt) is Who taught man that which he knew not and Who taught by the pen. Knowledge is thus beneficial inasmuch as it draws one closer to Allah (swt) and faith. Otherwise, knowledge-related activities that seek to gain worldly benefits while driving individuals into darkness and peoples into strife are worthless in the eyes of Allah (swt). Such a quest is futile as the Qur'anic verse clearly states: "[They are] those whose effort is lost in worldly life, while they think that they are doing well in work."[2]
Dear Believers!
It is stated in the Holy Qur'an as follows, "Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Forgiving."[3] Right, knowledge is a tool that allows us to come to know our Lord Almighty more thoroughly and to feel love and reverence for Him (swt) in our hearts at all times. Moreover, any knowledge or practice that benefits humanity is valued. However, worldly peace and happiness in the Hereafter may be obtained only via knowledge that is put into practice. This is so critical that our beloved Prophet (saw) sought shelter in Allah (swt) from the knowledge which does not benefit.[4]
Dear Muslims!
After a long break, our children, the light of our eyes, are finally returning to school, alhamdulillah! Let us not forget, however, that there are responsibilities incumbent upon every one of us in the fight against the pandemic so that our children do not have to be separated from their schools again, and let us not make any compromises in taking all kinds of measures.
I would like to use this occasion to invoke the Almighty Allah (swt) to protect our children and us from any material or spiritual diseases that may hit our hearts or bodies, and to wish all the success for our teachers and children.
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[1] Tirmidhi, 'Ilm, 19.
[2] Kahf, 18/104.
[3] Fatir 35/28.
[4] Nasa'i, Isti'adha, 13.
General Directorate of Religious Services