The first and foremost condition for the vitality of nation is acquisition of knowledge. It is for this reason that in the terminology of modern writers the nations which are advanced in the matter of knowledge and culture are called ‘alive’ and on the contrary the backward communities are styled as ‘dead’ and ‘barbaric’. Roots of this interpretation can be observed in the words of the religious leaders of Islam.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says;

“Scientific discussions enliven the dead hearts, provided they lead to Allah and His commands.”

(Ref : al-Usul al-Kafi, pp. 20)

The distance in Paradise between one who dies while endeavouring to acquire knowledge and so as to animate the Muslims and that between the prophets will be of one degree only.

(Ref : Muniah al-Murid, pp.9)

In View of this Islam has encouraged the people very much to acquire knowledge and science. As a matter of fact it has made it obligatory for them.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“It is obligatory for every Muslim to acquire knowledge. Allah likes those who seek knowledge.”

(Ref : al-Usul al-Kafi pp. 15 Ref :al-Usul al-Kafi pp. 15)

“It is obligatory for every Muslim to acquire knowledge. Acquire it from its proper place and impart it to one who deserves it, because to teach for the sake of Allah is good, to seek knowledge is worship, to discuss it is praise to Allah, to utilise it is jihad in the cause of Allah, to teach it to an ignorant person is alms and to pass it on to knowledgeable persons is the source of proximity to Allah.”

(Ref : Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 1, pp. 55)

“A person who seeks knowledge is like one who observes fast during daytime and prays during night. It is better for man to acquire one chapter of knowledge than to posses a mountain of gold as big as ‘ Abu Qubais’ and to spend it in the way of Allah”

(Ref : Mania al-Murid, pp.8)

And finally the holy Qur’an says:

“Whoever is given science and knowledge is given goodness in abundance.”

(Ref : Sura al-Baqara, Verse 272)

Imam al Sajjad (a.s.) says:

“If people had known the advantages of acquiring knowledge they would have acquired it even if it had necessitated the shedding of their hearts’ blood or their going down into the deep seas.”

(Ref : Muniah al-Murid, pp. 11)

Islam attaches so much importance to the acquisition of knowledge that it has declared the path of knowledge and wisdom to be the path leading to Paradise.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) of Islam says:

“Allah opens the path of Paradise to one who takes a step on the path of acquisition of knowledge.”

(Ref : Muniah al-Murid, pp. 11)

Islam considers knowledge to be one of the best legacies which man leaves behind himself.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“The best monuments and legacies which a man leaves behind himself are a dutiful son, useful buildings and knowledge and wisdom which is acted upon by people after him.”

(Ref : Muniah al-Murid pp. 11)

Islam has introduced knowledge and wisdom as a means of deliverance from the fire of Hell. No doubt, a true scholar cannot deviate or diverge from the right path and cannot fall prey to the flames of Hell. On the other hand his knowledge and wisdom lead him to Paradise.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“One who wishes to see those who are free from fire of Hell should look at the seekers of knowledge.”

(Ref : Bahar al-Anwar, Vol 1, pp.58)

Islam has not prescribed any limits for the acquisition for knowledge and wisdom.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says

“Acquire knowledge; even if it be in China”.

(Ref : Bahar al-Anwar, Vol.1, pp.57)

(i.e. there is no limit for its acquisition from the point of view of place)

Islam has condemned bashfulness in the matter of acquisition of knowledge at any age or in any situation.

Imam Ali (a.s.) says:

“Do not feel shy of learning what you do not know.”

Ref : Nahj al-Balaghah, pp.1113)

Knowledge and action

It must, however, be remembered that the holy religious leaders have approved of that knowledge only which is accompanied by action and have commended only that wisdom is associated with lofty character. Imam Ali (a.s.) says:

“Know ye O people! The excellence of your faith lies in acquiring knowledge and action upon it. It is more essential for you to crave for knowledge than for riches.”

(Ref : al-Usul: al-Kafi, pp.15)

And Imam al Sadiq (a.s.) says: “Knowledge and action are associated with each other, because whoever possesses knowledge acts upon it ( the real sign of knowledge is action) and the knowledge and wisdom of one who acts remains unimpaired. Knowledge is a mysterious voice which invites the scholar to action. If he accepts its invitation and acts (according to his knowledge) his knowledge lasts, but if he does not give a positive reply it leaves him”

(Ref : al-Usul al-Kafi, pp.22)

Islam always commends that knowledge only which is for the sake of Allah.

Imam al Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“A person who learns a hadith for worldly purposes does not benefit from it in the hereafter. And if he learns it for his betterment in the next world Allah blesses him in this world as well as in the hereafter.” (Ref : Bahar al-Anwar, Vol. 1, pp.111)

The teacher and the pupil

Islam has prescribed precise duties to the teacher and the pupil with regard to each other. A gist thereof can be found in the following narrative : Imam al Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“Your teacher enjoys the right over you that you should honour him and pay him respect in different assemblies. You should be very attentive to his words. You should not raise your voice above his. If anybody asks him a question you should not give a reply thereto. You should not converse with others in his presence (and should allow the people to benefit from his knowledge) and should not speak ill of anyone before him. If anybody speaks ill of him in your presence you should defend him. You should conceal his shortcoming and bring his virtues to light. You should not associate with his enemies and should not dispute with his friends. If you act on these lines the angels of Allah will testify that you have paid attention to him and have acquired knowledge for the sake of Allah and not to attract the attention of the people.

And the right of your pupils on you is this that you should realise that in granting you knowledge and opening its path for you, Allah has appointed you to be their guardian. In case, therefore, you teach them properly and do not frighten them and are not furious with them Allah will, through His kindness, increase your knowledge. But if you drive the people away from knowledge and as and when they approach you for it you frighten them and get annoyed with them it will be only appropriate that Almighty Allah may take away the light of knowledge from you and may degrade you in the eyes of the people.

(Ref : al-Makaram al-Akhlaq, pp. 484 )

Position of a scholar

One of the real targets of Islam is the establishment of a scholarly society and the creation of environments in which people should take to human life and refrain from barbarity and savagery.

There are some pre-requisites for the achievement of this end and at the top of them is the existence of able, learned and faithful persons who should invite the society to virtue and the worship of Allah. Hence Islam attaches extra-ordinary importance to the scholars and leaders of this scholarly society. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) considers them to be prophets.

(Ref :Bahar al-Anwar, Vol.1, pp.76)

The Holy Qur’an considers the difference and the long distance between the knowledgeable persons and the ignorant ones to be an established fact and calls human conscience and intellect to witness it and says:

“Say: Are the learned and the ignorant at par with each other ? (No). the wise persons attend to it and understand it.”

(Ref : Sura al-Zumar, verse 9)

The Holy Qur’an further says:

“Allah elevates to high position those from among you who are faithful and those who have acquired knowledge.” (Ref : Sura al-Mujadila, verse 11)

Imam Ali (a.s.) says:

“The learned men and scholars will continue to exist till the world lasts. Although their bodies may be hidden from the eyes their impressions will for ever remain imprinted in the hearts of the people.”

(Ref: Nahj al-Balaghah, pp. 1146)

Islam insists particularly that the scholars should be treated to be superior to the devout and the pious, because the latter are mindful of themselves only but the former also take care of others

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

“Sleep of a scholar is superior to one thousand rak’ats of prayers offered by a devout person.” (Ref : Bahar al-Anwar, Vol.1, pp.76)

“A scholar (although he may not offer prayers other than the obligatory ones) is like a person who always observes fast and offers prayers, and is like a mujahid who sacrifices his life in the cause of Allah. As and when a scholar dies a breach takes place in Islam which cannot be filled till the Day of Judgement.”

(Ref: Ibid, pp.82)

It is on this very account that the prayers offered by a scholar are many times superior to those offered by other person, because it is a good deed based on knowledge.

Imam Ali (a.s.) says:

“Two rak’ats of prayers offered by a scholar are better than seventy rak’ats offered by an ignorant persons.”

(Ref : Bahar al-Anwar, vol.1,pp.65)

Islam encourages people to associate with learned persons, because this afford opportunities for profiting from their knowledge. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says:

Association with the learned persons is (Allah’s) worship.

(Ref Ibid, pp.64)

Glancing at their faces is (also) worship.

(Ref : Ibid, pp.61)

Luqman, the Sage, says to his son:

“My son! Associate with the scholarly persons and always sit with them, because the Almighty Allah enlivens the hearts with the light of knowledge.”

(Ref : Ibid, pp.64)

This matter is so extensive and important that according to the religious leaders the pleasure and wrath of Allah depends on the pleasure and wrath of a scholar.

Imam al Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“On the day of judgement Allah will be pleased with a person who honours and pays respect to a Muslim scholar. And Allah will be annoyed on the Day of judgement with one who insults a Muslim scholar.”

(Ref : Ibid, pp.82)

Respect to the elders

Islam also believes in great importance of the aged persons and elders of every group and community and looks at them with due respect. Imam al Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“Respect to the aged persons is a sign of respect to Allah.”

(Ref.: al-Wassail al-Shi’ah, vol. II, pp. 214)

“One who does not show respect to the aged persons is not one of us.”

(Ref : Ibid)

And the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) Muhammad (a.s.) says:

“As and when the elder of a community or nation meets you, honour him and respect him.”

(Ref : Ibid, pp.215)