One Verse a Day: Journey Through the Qur’an | #11
As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, dear brothers and sisters in Islam!
In our previous reflection, we explored the first verses of revelation and their profound impact on the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Today, we continue with the next verse of Surah Al-‘Alaq:
(Surah Al-‘Alaq, 96:5)
عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
Allama al-insaana ma lam ya’lam
"Who taught man what he did not know."
Knowledge is a gift from Allah
This verse follows the mention of the pen and teaching, emphasizing that all knowledge, whether religious or worldly, is a gift from Allah. While human beings put in effort to acquire knowledge, the ability to understand, reason, and comprehend comes solely from Allah.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
"And Allah brought you out of your mothers’ wombs knowing nothing, and He gave you hearing, sight, and intellect so that you may be grateful."
(Surah An-Nahl, 16:78)
We are born without knowledge, yet Allah enables us to learn, grow, and understand. Those who are knowledgeable should never be arrogant, for everything they know is only by the will of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ – The Teacher of Humanity
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was ummi (unlettered, in the sense that he could not read or write), yet he was directly taught by Allah through revelation.
Allah granted him the highest knowledge – the knowledge of wahy (divine revelation). He did not acquire this knowledge through human teachers but through the Qur’an and by applying the teachings of Islam.
Allah says:
"And you did not know what the Book was, nor faith, but We made it a light."
(Surah Ash-Shura, 42:52)
This teaches us that the most superior knowledge is that which comes from Allah, knowledge of tawheed, what is halal and haram, and what leads us to Jannah.
Islam and Seeking Knowledge
Islam commands us to seek knowledge of what is essential for every Muslim, belief in Allah, prayer, zakah, fasting, and everything necessary to practice our deen.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When Allah wills good for someone, He grants him understanding of the religion."
(Bukhari, 71; Muslim, 1037)
This hadith clearly shows that true knowledge is that which brings us closer to Allah, not knowledge that leads to arrogance or misguidance.
Reflecting on Our Relationship with Knowledge
Allah has given us intellect and the ability to learn, but how do we use it?
Do we seek knowledge that brings us closer to Allah?
Do we act upon what we learn?
Do we use our knowledge to benefit others?
May Allah grant us sincerity in seeking knowledge and teach us what will benefit us in this life and the Hereafter!
اللهم علمنا ما ينفعنا وانفعنا بما علمتنا وزدنا علما
"O Allah, teach us what will benefit us, allow us to benefit from what we have learned, and increase us in knowledge!"
Wa assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.