Dear brothers and sisters, as we near the end of this semester and move into our welldeserved vacation,

Id like to congratulate all of you. Not because you completed this

semester, although that is a great feat on its own, but because of your willingness for the
pursuit of knowledge. Indeed, you have been blessed by Allah (S.W.T) to be an educated part
of the Islamic future. And, at this time of difficulty for the Muslims, it might be easy to think
that what we need is more man power to fight wars, but, the real truth is that we need to be
knowledgeable. Not only would it benefit us in this dunya, but it would also be a part of our
record in the hereafter. Allah says in the quran;

"Allah will exalt those who believe among you, and those who have been
granted knowledge to high ranks."

Dear brothers and sisters, if we were to look at the first verses that were revealed to our dear
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), from Surah Alaq . Read! And this message was given to an
unlettered man so that no one could accuse the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) of having
fabricated the verses of the holy qurn. Yet, nowadays, we have people who claim otherwise.
People who have not been able to gather proof of any sort but are ignorant of the message. A
very good question would be as to why the first verse of the quran was directly linked with
education. This is because Islam highly values the notion of education and it is considered to
be one of the most important values of Islam.
When it comes to knowledge and Muslims, a lot of people tend to segregate Islamic
education and secular education. But, this does not have to be the case and the truth is that, it
shouldnt be the case. The Qurn and hadith are a source of guidance which complement our
daily lives and we must ensure that we have a global perspective on issues and we must also
try our best to attain knowledge provided to us by the creator. The first words of the Qurn
show us the value and importance of reading. And, it is also clear that knowledge is a link to
our creator and it is very important that we focus on attaining more knowledge so that we can
uncover the truth. The beauty of Islam is that Allah has provided us the Qurn as a way in
which we can find the truth but the Quran is not just a book of truth. It is also a book that
emphasizes on the values of science. It is a book of questions and a book that provides
answers.
It is also very obvious that the decline of the Ummah is a direct result of our failure to fulfill
our Islamic duty to pursue science, knowledge and progress. All the calamities that our
Ummah suffers from illegal invasions, occupation, poverty, terrorism, civil war could have
been prevented if we, as Muslims, did everything we possibly could to improve our output as
an Ummah in scientific research, entrepreneurship, industry and intellect.
Allaah says (what means): and say: `My Lord! Increase me in knowledge [Quran, 20:114]
He said: Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allaah will make a path to
Paradise easy for him. (Al-Bukhaari)3 [Click here to tweet this]
Not only is it our duty to pursue science and knowledge as Muslims, it is also our duty to
excel in everything we do as the Islamic core value of Ihsan (excellence) dictates.
Some Muslims dont pay enough attention to worldly knowledge as they think that religious
knowledge is all that matters.
This view is against Islamic perspective of knowledge.

He says: There are around 750 verses in the Qurn that encourage us to think about the
universe that surrounds us and all that has been created within it and placed at our
disposal.
If Muslims truly realise the importance Islam places on knowledge and its virtues, they will
definitely be keen to learn and teach others. They would start with themselves and their
families; then their neighbours and the community at large. Once Mu'awiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan
(may Allah be pleased with her) gave a sermon in which he said, "I heard Allah's Messenger
saying, "If Allah wants to do good to a person, he makes him very knowledgeable in the
Deen." (Related by Bukhari and Muslim)
This is because knowledge is the basis of all good; it generates actions that are based on the
commandments of Allah and the instructions of the Prophet . Hence, every Muslim must
instil in his mind a desire to seek knowledge. Allah (Most Exalted is He) instructed His
Prophet -- and thus all Muslims -- to ask Allah to increase him in knowledge. He said:
"And say: My Lord increase me in knowledge."
(Qur'an, Ta-Ha 20:114)
Though, initially, all Muslims are equal in the sight of Allah, those who believe, have taqwah
(fear of Allah and righteousness), and have been granted knowledge move up to higher ranks.
Allah says about those who have taqwah:
"Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who has most taqwah."
(Qur'an, Al-Hujurat 49:13)

And He said about those who believed and acquired knowledge:

"Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks and (degrees), those of you who believe and who
have been granted knowledge. And Allah is well-acquainted with all you do."
(Qur'an, Al-Mujadilah 58:11)
When a servant of Allah is granted knowledge, he appreciates Allah's creation more, and
becomes more acquainted with Allah's attributes and qualities. Consequently, he
wholeheartedly witnesses that his Creator is the only one worthy of worship, and then
submits to Him humbly. This, in return, generates in his heart a fear, which is akin to a full
appreciation and love of His Lord. Allah (Most Exalted is He) has witnessed in favour of His
learned servants these qualities, full appreciation of His Oneness and fear of Him. He stated
in two verses, to be recited until Doomsday:
"There is no one worthy of worship but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels and
those endowed with knowledge, Standing firm in Justice (or maintaining His Creation
in Justice). There is no god but He, the Exalted in power, the Wise."

(Qur'an, Al-'Imran 3:18)

"It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah."
(Qur'an, Fatir 35:28)
Along with attaining knowledge, we must also be humble. The more knowledge we attain,
the more humble we should become. When your mind has been opened up, you must realize
that you enter into a state of zen. A state where you understand intellectually, a state where
you develop patience. If your knowledge makes you arrogant and fills you up with pride,
then, there is definitely something wrong and you will not be esteemed in the eyes of Allah
(S.W.T).
Dear brothers and sisters, we as Muslims should inspire the future. Islam is the fastest
growing religion in the world and we must ensure that we have knowledgeable Muslims in
the near future. Muslims who can enter the different sections of the world and dominate in
various fields.

Dear Brothers and sisters, today I have talked to you about the value and importance of
seeking knowledge in Islam. We as Muslims, should be beacons of light for our future
genrations, In Sha Allah.
We must aim to strive and be examples of educational success to the future.
May Allh (S.W.T) make us of those who attain knowledge for his sake.
May he make us humble with our progress in knowledge.
We pray for your protection towards our dear Ummah, Ya Allah (SWT)
May you make us humanitarians and those who are filled with charitable hearts.