KNOWLEDGE IS GUIDANCE: The Key To Success

Khowledge Is Guidance!

The More You Know,

The More You Succeed,

The Humbler You Get!

(M. Javed Naseem)

The Main Source

All knowledge comes from Allah

and He bestows it upon us through

His revelations (Books, Scriptures)

via Prophets and Messengers. That’s

why real Knowledge always brings

you closer to your Creator.

وَلَقَدْ جِئْنَاهُمْ بِكِتَابٍ فَصَّلْنَاهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ هُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

“Verily We have brought them a Book

which We expounded with knowledge, a

guidance and a mercy for all who believe.”

(al-Quran 7:52)

The purpose of Islam is to make you a better human being who fears Allah and who strives to maintain a society based on social justice, mutual respect, upholding of human rights, harmony and equality. That’s a society which takes care of its poor, needy, the less fortunate and the oppressed. This kind of awareness comes through education and knowledge. And the main source of all knowledge is God.

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلنُّجُومَ لِتَهْتَدُواْ بِهَا فِى

ظُلُمَاتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا ٱلآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ

“And He it is Who has set for you the stars

that you may guide your course by them

amid the darkness of the land and the sea.

We have detailed Our revelations for

a people who know (understand).”

(al-Quran 6:97)

God bestows this knowledge upon mankind through revelations. His Messengers and Prophets have forwarded that knowledge in the form of Books and Scriptures for the coming generations. One generation is supposed to pass this knowledge and awareness on to the next generation, and so on and on. Now, the question is: What are we doing to preserve and impart this important knowledge of Islam?

Signs of The End Time

Narrated Anas: Allah's Apostle said:

‘From among the portents of the Hour are:

1. Religious knowledge will be taken away

(by the death of religious learned men).

2. (Religious) ignorance will prevail.

3. Use of Alcoholic drinks (will be very common).

4. There will be prevalence of open illegal sexual activity.’

(Bukhari, Book.3, No.80).

Looks like we are very close to the End Time! Are we prepared? True religious knowledge is disappearing and the fake knowledge (promoting a particular agenda) is spreading. Some people are manipulating other people’s ignorance. For Muslims, the knowledge of the Quran is the first and the foremost. Those who have this knowledge also have the obligation to spread this knowledge and bring awareness (or education) to the masses so that the religious ‘middlemen’ cannot fool or manipulate simple Muslims. Islamic (Quranic) knowledge is essential.

God says that there is guidance and mercy in the Scriptures and Books for those who understand and for those who seek that knowledge to please their Lord Creator. Allah makes it very clear in the Quran:

لَّـٰكِنِ ٱلرَّاسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ مِنْهُمْ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ

إِلَيكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبْلِكَ وَٱلْمُقِيمِينَ ٱلصَّلاَةَ وَٱلْمُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَاةَ

وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلآخِرِ أُوْلَـۤئِكَ سَنُؤْتِيهِمْ أَجْراً عَظِيماً

“But those of them who are firm in knowledge

and the believers believe in that which is revealed

unto you, and that which was revealed before you,

especially the diligent in prayer and those who pay

the poor-due, the believers in Allah and the Last Day.

Upon them We shall bestow immense reward.”

(al-Quran 4:162)

Now, that what is narrated in the above verse from Surah An-Nissaa, is the gist of Islam, the essence of the Deen. ‘Believing in Allah’ is a very comprehensive term. It includes everything Allah has commanded us to do and everything Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.) have forbidden us to do. It’s not so easy to handle that.

General people lack knowledge of the Deen and Islamic education. This makes them vulnerable and they are easily fooled by typical Mullahs who themselves lack the knowledge of the Quran. People think that Islam is mainly about offering Salaat, observing Ramadan fasts, performing Hajj, occasionally giving some money to the poor and believing in the Judgment Day. That’s just one part of it, not the whole. Islam is a lot more than that. It promotes a community, a culture, a lifestyle and a living standard in line with the teachings of the Quran and the simple lifestyle practiced by the Prophet (s.a.w.) of Islam.

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The Guarantee!

If you strongly hold onto the rope of Allah

and don’t create division (sectarianism), you

will be a great force, and non-believers won’t

be able to harm you. You are in the protection

of Allah till the Judgment Day!

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Narrated Muawiya: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "If Allah wants to do good to a person, He makes him comprehend the Deen (Islam). I am just a distributor, but the grant is from Allah. (And remember) that this nation (true Muslims) will keep on following Allah's teachings strictly and they will not be harmed by any one going on a different path till Allah's order (Day of Judgment) is established."  

(Bukhari, Book.3, No.71).

Yes, no harm IF we follow the Quran and Allah’s commands strictly. But we have abandoned the Quran and we enjoy living in a jungle-culture with no principles or rules. People don’t even know the basics!

I live in Morocco. Many times I have seen people coming to the mosque (Masjid Hassan-II) in Casablanca, for Friday prayer, wearing T-shirts or jackets with pictures of animals, filmstars and singers on them. Many times I have seen a guy wearing a T-shirt with an ad of Heineken beer on its back. Majority of young people come to the mosque on Friday wearing gold chains, bracelets, ear-rings, etc. All that is part of ignorance (Jahaalat) and shows a lack of Islamic education or knowledge. It’s about time that we get serious about imparting Islamic education to our children.

Narrated Ibn Masoud: ‘The Prophet used to take care of us in preaching by selecting a suitable time, so that we might not get bored. (He abstained from pestering us with sermons and knowledge all the time).’

(Bukhari, Book. 3, No.68).

These days, everybody is preaching on the internet, especially Google+ and Facebook. Their religious posts contain tons of mistakes, not only of the language but also of the contents, facts and figures. They don’t know it because they lack the Quranic knowledge. All they do is, just copy and paste and hit ‘share’. Their intentions are good but they are required to verify the contents before sharing

Imparting knowledge or education to their kids is an obligation for all Muslims. It is not the job of a preaching group (Tableeghi Jamaat) or some cultural organization. If they do it, they will get the extra reward for that. But the responsibility lies with the parents. In India/Pakistan and other countries, the preaching style of Tableeghi Jamaat is very annoying. They adopt the similar method like their Christian counterparts Jehovah’s Witnesses – knocking at people’s door, intruding and disturbing or bothering them without any consideration for the sick and the old or the students. They make it difficult for people who are shy to say ‘no’ to them.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: The Prophet said, "Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam)."  

(Bukhari, Book. 3, No.69).

Islam is simple and easy but the Mullahs have made it look complicated. If you study the Arabic Quran along with its translation in your own language, you would know what Allah tells you to do and not to do. You don’t need any middleman. Study the Quran again and again and the guidance would come to you. It comes to everybody who seeks it. Seek it from Allah, not from people! Follow the commands of Allah and not the opinions of people! If you wish to be ‘like’ somebody, then be like the ones who are trying to please Allah!

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud: The Prophet said, "Do not wish to be like anyone except in two cases. (The first is) A person, whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it righteously; (the second is) the one whom Allah has given wisdom (the Holy Quran) and he acts according to it and teaches it to others."

(Bukhari, Book.3, No.73, & Fateh-al-Bari page 177, Vol. 1).

You cannot force knowledge upon somebody. It should be acquired voluntarily, with sincerity and honesty of purpose, and with open mind and heart! These days, not many people are interested in seeking religious knowledge. So you have to improvise the methods. Allah’s guidance and knowledge are for everybody but not everybody can take advantage of them. You benefit from it only if you are seriously and sincerely striving for it. Here’s what the Prophet (s.a.w.) said about it:

Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet said, "The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophets and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)."

(Bukhari, Book.3, No.79).

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Dream About Religious Knowledge

Narrated Ibn Umar: Allah's Apostle said, ‘While

I was sleeping, I saw that a cup full of milk was

brought to me and I drank my fill till I noticed (the

milk) its wetness coming out of my nails. Then I gave

the remaining milk to Umar Ibn Al-Khattab.’

The companions of the Prophet asked, ‘What is

your interpreted (of this dream), O’ Allah's Apostle?’

He replied, "(It is religious) knowledge."

(Bukhari, Book.3, No.83).

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Omar Qazaabri is the top Qari (reciter of the Quran) of Morocco. He leads Taraweeh prayers at the famous Masjid Hassan-II of Casablanca, every year during Ramadan. He also leads Fajr prayers from time to time, at the same mosque. He takes between 20-30 minutes to complete just 2-Rakaats of Fajr, with long Ruku and long Sajood. He recites the Quran with Tajweed (Qira’t) that takes time. He takes more time for 2-Rakaats of Fajr prayer than 2-Rakaats of Taraweeh prayer. On Friday, he would always recite complete Surah as-Sajdah (with an extra Sajdah-i-Tilawat) in the first Rakaat and complete Surah al-Insaan in the second Rakaat. A couple of my neighbors stopped going to that mosque for Fajr when Qazaabri is around. I also thought of quitting a couple of times. We are old people and cannot stay longer in Qayam, Ruku and Sajood because it gets painful for our joints. But there are others (young people) who like him and record his Fajr prayer on their cell-phones or tablets to share it on FB. Allah did not make Islam difficult and cumbersome for Muslims, people do. Here is a Hadith for such Imams:

Narrated Abu Masoud Al-Ansari: Once a man said to Allah's Apostle, ‘O Allah's Apostle! I may not attend the (compulsory congregational) prayer because so and so (the Imam) prolongs the prayer when he leads us for it. The narrator added: I never saw the Prophet (s.a.w.) more furious in giving advice than he was on that day. The Prophet said, ‘O people! Some of you make others dislike good deeds (the prayers). So whoever leads the people in prayer should shorten it because among them there are the sick, the weak, and the needy (having some jobs to do).’  

(Bukhari, Book.3, No.90).

There are a few more Ahadith on this subject. The point is: Make things easier for people! Make them like Islam, not run away from it! You would be questioned about it on the Day of Judgment. The prayer (Salaat) is not a punishment! It should be enjoyed because you are establishing a direct connection with your Creator! Only this connection is the guarantee against Hellfire.

Remember, the true guidance comes from Allah through His revelation – the Quran! If we look for guidance from other sources, we’ll go astray. The earlier Scriptures have been altered and edited by the kings and the ruling class. They are no more the original and authentic Torah and Bible that used to be (during the periods of Prophets Moses and Jesus). People of the Book have strayed from their Books and have modified the religion as per their own convenience. If they were true followers of Moses and Jesus, they won’t be killing millions of human beings in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Palestine, Syria, etc.

وَلَنْ تَرْضَىٰ عَنكَ ٱلْيَهُودُ وَلاَ ٱلنَّصَارَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَهُمْ

قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَلَئِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتَ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ بَعْدَ

ٱلَّذِى جَآءَكَ مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ مَا لَكَ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلاَ نَصِيرٍ

“Never will the Jews or the Christians be satisfied

with you unless you follow their form of religion.

Say: ‘The Guidance of Allah is the (only real)

Guidance.’ Were you to follow their desires after

the knowledge which has reached you, then would

you find neither protector nor helper against Allah.”

(al-Quran 2:120)

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