The Power of Seeking Sacred Knowledge ( Presentation at the Maintaining Muslim Identity conference Nov 29th, 2025 )

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem. Alhamdulillaahil ladhee anzala ‘Ala ‘Abdihil Kitaab, wal ladhee ‘allama bil Qalam, ‘allamal Insaana Maa Lam Ya’lam. 

Introduction

Firstly, I want to extend my thanks to Imam Mohamed Mabrouk, Brother Mustafa Gonzales, and the other organizers for extending an invitation to address this conference, Maintaining Muslim Identity. The particular subject I have been asked to speak on is a very important topic. A topic which prompted me to open with a small selection of Quranic sentences. Those sentences read  as follows:  “In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Ever-Merciful. Praise belongs to Allah, who has sent forth to His servant (I.e. the Prophet) The scripture, He is the One who teaches by the pen, who teaches humanity previously unknown knowledge.”

Is there a separation between ‘secular’ and ‘sacred’ Knowledge?

Directly addressing the topic, we begin with the Qur’an, which famously contains the du’aa “O My Lord, Increase me in knowledge” (Rabbi Zidnee ‘ilmaa- Q 20:114). There is a broader context, which we will return to later. But for now, we have this prayer to Allah asking for knowledge. Also well-known is the hadeeth which states that “seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Maajah 224). These quotes often decorate the walls of schools and universities throughout the Muslim world. Other expressions that have currency in Muslim circles include “ Seek knowledge, even into China” “Knowledge is the lost property of the believer” ( hadeeth via Sunan At-Tirmidhee 2687).

While there are undoubtedly ahadeeth  that speak on the virtues of particular Quranic texts (such as Soorah Al-Ikhlas, Al Mulk, Ayatul Kursiyy etc), the overarching truth is that in Islam there is no functional distinction between the “secular” and the “sacred”.  Indeed, throughout the Qur’an we find exhortations to study the contents of the universe, the study of the body, history, the material sciences in general. (  Q 3:191, 35:27-28, 10:5,19,16:12, 30:22, et al). We admit that it can be said that there are levels of separation between certain fields, such as a distinction between knowledge of scripture and that of fictional genres, but even in that, the source of the intelligence that gave the creators of those genres is Allah. Thus, the Qur’an says “So blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators” (Fa-tabaarak Allahu Ahsanul Khaaliqeen) ( Q 23:14)

Moreover, the study of these (and other) items are presented as items which will increase the faith of the believer. Islam has had no problem with scientific advancements, unlike the Christian history, which actually engaged in persecution, leading often to death, of scientists, philosophers and thinkers, actions endorsed by the Church.

The Power of the Islamic revelation

The Qur’anic revelation was delivered initially to an uneducated man ( An-Nabi Al-Ummi) and to a society which had similarly delivered very little in terms of civilizational contributions (Al-Ummiyyeen). The impact of the revelation altered forever the Arabian peninsula, and became the genesis for an entirely new civilization on Planet Earth

It is Islam which not only produced empires, it reformed characters of the modern American experiences such as Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. Islam not only built mosques, it built wonders such as the Taj Mahal. Its openness to knowledge and the benefits therefrom made the renaissance possible, as well the majority of the conveniences we enjoy today.

Karen Armstrong writes “ The Koran constantly stresses the need for intelligence in deciphering the “signs” or “messages” of God. Muslims are not to abdicate their reason, but to look at the world attentively and with curiosity. It was this attitude that later enabled Muslims to build a fine tradition of natural science, which has never been seen as such a danger to religion as in Christianity.” ( A History of God, pg. 143, 1993 edition, New York).

I have seen numerous examples from my experiences with all types of people with varying levels of education and diversity transformed into better human beings, becoming people of consciousness and ability, even teaching themselves multiple languages when having been previously been illiterate, abandoning drugs, alcoholic addictions and promiscuity, surrendering their lives to the guidance of Allah.

"And whosoever has Taqwaa of Allah, He makes for them a way out (of bad circumstances ) and provides for them from sources they could not even imagine..' ( Q 65:2-3).

"It is He (Allah) who has raised (ba'atha) among the uneducated (ummiyyeen) a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them of His signs, purifying them, teaching them The Scripture and the Wisdom, as they had been before this in a state of apparent loss. And (The benefit of this raising) extends to others from among them who had not yet joined them, and He is the Mighty, The Wise." { Q 62:2-3).

Thus, Allah made it so that the Prophet, Sall Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam-, would emerge to be a catalyst for something far more powerful than what is imagined. The Arabic term Ba'atha in Q 62"2 is significant because it highlights the low conditions of Arabian society at that time, a society which becomes elevated by contact with Divine Revelation. The sentence that initiates verse three (wa aakhareena minhim lammaa yalhaqoo bihim) demonstrates that this elevation is not restricted to the Prophet's time or his immediate audience, rather, this authentic elevation is available to any who are sincere in seeking it. In the broader theme of this conference, the Identity of Islam is to be more important than any other label because it connects us not only to an Ummah of two billion people, more importantly, it connects us to Allah, His Angels, His Scripture and Messengers.

Practical tips for students

All of us should be students of this religion, at least enough of it to elevate our existence in this world for the better. We should all know how to perform the basic practices, such as the five pillars, and have the essential moral foundation present. The basic moral foundation of a Muslim is given in a number of Quranic verses, such as Q 2:177, 17:22-39, and 23:1-11. 

We cited earlier the famous du’aa “O My Lord, Increase me in knowledge.” That du’aa is given within a broader context, which we shall share now. 

فَتَعَـٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ ۗ وَلَا تَعْجَلْ بِٱلْقُرْءَانِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يُقْضَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ وَحْيُهُۥ ۖ وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِى عِلْمًۭا 

“ Thus, Highly exalted is Allah, The Ruler, The Ultimate Reality (Al-Haqq), And do not be in a rush with the Qur’an before its revelation is completed for you. And say “O My Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Q 20:114)

The revelation of scripture came to the Prophet slowly. It was not all at once. Similarly, when we are engaged in the study of the deen, it should be in a calm fashion, taking time to internalize its theology as well as its morals. So, the format should be (1) Theology (2) Morals. (3) Basic practices, taking the requisite time to understand these things, at least on a fundamental level.

Attending gatherings such as this, Halaqahs, Qur’an sessions, regular self-study using actual books, taking notes, using simple tools such as notebooks, highlighters and different color pens, to help in retaining knowledge and organization of records.

Knowledge is also attained and more easily retained through direct experiences with a teacher, and travel, in which we are exposed to the natural world, to Allah’s creation.

 The Qur'an mentions that traveling "in the land" increases one's intelligence on all levels, including

emotional intelligence (Q 22:48). The same text implies that xenophobia is also removed through travel, however there are exceptions, primarily being those with "blind hearts". The Qur'an also shows us the need for good teachers (Q 16:43) in order to limit the pitfalls of the mistakes earned through self-study (without mentorship).

Thank you for your indulgence. Wa aakhara da’wanaa ‘anil hamulillaahi rabbil ‘aal ameen.