– Qamar uz Zama
Knowledge holds a central and esteemed position in Islam, serving as a guiding light for personal and societal development. The first verse that was revealed on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was ‘IQRA’, meaning ‘read’ opening the door to Knowledge. In various hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasizes acquiring knowledge where He(PBUH) said, “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim”. In brief, the core of Islam revolves around the pursuit of knowledge. But, In the fast-paced world of the 21st century, the pursuit of knowledge has become a synonym for success in career and material wealth. This has given rise to what can be aptly described as the “rat race” for careerism. This rat race starts from our childhood, from admission in school to getting the highest rank in the class to getting a good college degree and a handsome salary.
Careerism spells doom for the ability to gain knowledge, and hence results in mental degradation
This rat race has altered people’s perspective on knowledge, reducing it to a pursuit of prestigious titles and a luxurious lifestyle which has led people to become more self-centric and self-obsessed. As individuals strive to compete in the rat race and achieve their ambitions, the pressure to excel often comes at a cost – compromising personal well-being, relationships, and even one’s mental health. According to a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, job-related stress increased by over 70% in the past few decades. The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. The so-called knowledge appears to be failing to inculcate the fundamental human values of compassion, kindness, tolerance, and empathy in the individual as well as society. As a whole, our society has drifted away from embracing and upholding the essential principles of basic human values. The cause of this is, that the pursuit of knowledge has shifted its primary aim toward attaining material success. Regrettably, a significant portion of the Muslim population has succumbed to the allure of the Western capitalism trap.
Muslims in today’s era need to understand that when Islam emphasizes the importance of seeking knowledge, its primary objective is not solely focused on achieving material success as seen by today’s capitalistic societies. Instead, it encourages humanity to self-reflect, ponder, and deeply contemplate upon acquired knowledge, with the ultimate aim of fostering a closer connection to God and His creations. In Islam, the acquisition of knowledge is viewed as an Act of Worship, as affirmed by the hadith, ‘He who follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make the path to Paradise easy for him.’ Additionally, knowledge is regarded as a means of fulfilling one’s responsibilities, as indicated in the hadith, ‘A scholar who works in teaching has a high status in the domain of the heavens.’ Furthermore, Islam recognizes knowledge as a conduit through which individuals can imbibe essential human values, morals and Ethical Development, as conveyed in the hadith, “Verily, it is the duty of a student of knowledge to behave with dignity, tranquillity, and reverence, and to follow the way of those who came before him’.
Islam doesn’t link knowledge to material success as seen in today’s capitalistic societies
When Muslims held the aforementioned thought process, this knowledge has proven to be beneficial for humanity. As noted by historian Thomas Goldstein, he stated, ‘Every single specialized science in the west owes its origin to the Islamic impulse or its direction from that time onwards (Reference: ‘Dawn of Modern Science,’ page 99, T. Goldstein).” Hence we can say “Knowledge, when integrated with values, becomes a force for positive change in society.” In today’s careerism rat race, it is imperative to rekindle the purpose of acquiring knowledge. By emphasizing the values of knowledge as an act of worship, integrating ethics and moral principles, and promoting a holistic approach to education, we can inspire individuals to pursue knowledge with a deeper purpose. Fostering critical thinking, ethical research, and a balanced perspective on worldly and spiritual knowledge will help individuals navigate the modern world while aligning with Islamic teachings. It is our responsibility to cultivate a society where the pursuit of knowledge serves not just individual ambitions but also the greater good, in harmony with the values of Islam. Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) used to always ask Allah ‘Allahumma inni as’aluka’ ilman nafi’an, wa rizqan tayyiban, wa ‘amalan mutaqabbalan’ (O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge, good provision and acceptable deeds). To conclude would like to summarize by saying “Knowledge without spirituality is like a flower without fragrance”.
