The Wisdom of Life

found is that this is so because our intellectual development process continues non-stop. If we lead a life of contentment, there will be stagnation rather than development. The Prophet said: ‘Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China.’ What does ‘knowledge’ here refer to? Every form of knowledge is knowledge – anything that has wisdom and is useful, must be learnt. We should look at knowledge and learning not by virtue of being a Muslim, but by virtue of being a human being. There is only one thing which is wrong according to Islam, that is, hatred or violence. Everything needs to be look at from the spirit of enquiry. Why is the first step towards intellectual development? The first step is to say: ‘I was wrong’. When you say ‘I am right’, you remain stagnant, but when you admit your mistake, you gain something in return. That is, you realize where you were at fault and thus show willingness to correct yourself and learn that which is right. How to cope with the loss of a parent? God shall make one meet one’s pious parents in the Hereafter. This is like giving a positive turn to the event of their death. Those who lose a parent have been given a goal that if they keep working towards making themselves righteous, God will join them with their parents in Paradise in the Hereafter.