100 Principles for Purposeful Living

1. The Importance of Knowledge in Islam Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, may peace be upon him, was born in 570 AD in Makkah, Arabia. At the age of 40, he received his first revelation, which lays great emphasis on knowledge. (The Quran, 96) Without doubt, knowledge is the beginning of all human progress. God created man apparently in the form of an animal. But man has been endowed with a brain of unlimited potential. Acquiring knowledge is essential for utilizing this potential. Learning helps the human brain reach a higher intellectual level. It is through knowledge that man knows human history; he discovers the secrets of nature; he scans through the surface of things to learn the deeper facts. The importance of learning is as essential for one person as it is for another. 2. Gaining Knowledge The Prophet of Islam once observed, “It is the duty of every Muslim, man or woman, to acquire knowledge.” (Sunan ibn Majah, Hadith No. 224) This tradition shows the importance of knowledge in Islam. Knowledge is necessary for the realization of God. That is why its acquisition has been made obligatory. Learning increases man’s awareness; it opens the windows of his mind; it broadens the scope of his thinking which enables him to understand deeper realities. Benefiting from the experiences of others raises his intellectual level. Knowledge is essential for both religious and spiritual development. The mind reaches maturity through gaining knowledge. This process of intellectual