What knowledge is most beneficial according to Islam?

 

Knowledge in Islam

Qur’an is the book of knowledge. Allah SWT has asked the believers to read as his first command. “Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous.”(Qur’an, 96:1,2,3) Attaining knowledge is thus important.

Which knowledge to attain?

Today, Islamic knowledge is denied instead the struggle is to attain higher education in medicine, law, business and others even by taking interest. Islamic knowledge should be given priority. Worldly knowledge should be next.

The main principle of Islamic faith is the belief in God. Muslims need to grasp the concept of Oneness of God. The mission of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was for everyone to proclaim, “There is no God except Allah.” He preached this message for 13 years in Makkah. This has also been the mission of the previous prophets of Allah SWT. Hence the knowledge of Tawheed is most important to attain. Muslims are required to study about the omnipotent, powerful nature of Allah SWT because he is our Lord and the Creator of the entire universe and beyond.

Why study Tawheed?

Unity of Allah SWT is the pervading principle that is important for human faith. (Hassan, 1996 ) Belief in Tawheed provides highest level of spirituality. A person becomes righteous and God loving. Tawheed strengthens the eeman of a Muslim. It gives them pleasure in this life. Muslims become active in following the principles of Islam. Rules and foundations become easy. This in turn gives them success in the life hereafter, which is the goal of every Muslim. 

Worship of Allah

Belief in Oneness of God makes the practices of worship easy. Ibaadah (worship) is the purpose of creating humans. Ibn Abbas highlighted that in the “terminology of the Quran ‘Ibadah’ always means ‘Tawheed’. So the meaning of the verse: Thee (alone), do we worship and Thine aid (alone) do we seek” 1:5. This means that a believer must have a firm faith in the unity of God (Tawheed).”

Aim of all Prophets and Messengers

Prophet Nooh AS: “O my people! I am to you a warner, clear and open that you should worship God fear Him and obey me.” (Qur’an, 71:2-3)

Prophet Hud, Saleh, Shuaib AS: “-------O my people! Worship Allah; ye have no other god but Him...” (Qur’an, 7:85)

Prophet Ibrahim AS: “And (We also saved) Abraham: behold he said to his people “Serve Allah and fear Him: that will be the best for you if you understand.” (Qur’an,29:16)

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him: “Oh men! I am sent unto you all as the apostle of God, to whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth, there is no being worthy of worship but He; it is He that giveth both life and death. So believe in God and His apostle, the unlettered prophet who believes in God and His words; follow Him, so that ye may be guided.” (Qur’an, 7:158)

 

Backbone of religion

Muhammad un nasir (1984) agrees “that faith in the unity of God is the most fundamental and important teaching of the Quran and Sunnah.” Tawheed began with the message of Adam AS and was completed by Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Tawheed creates a unity of life, creation and mankind. If the knowledge of Tawheed is weak, man will not be able to fulfill his duties properly. He will be easily influenced and divot from islam. This belief distinguishes a muslim from the pagans.

 

Active thinking

          A Muslim with the knowledge of Tawheed is able to process things quickly. He is able to distinguish right from wrong. While studying other subjects, he can relate the sciences with the Creator and observe his creation in the light of Islam. A Muslim studying history can reflect upon the mistakes of his ancestors and recognize the nature of his Creator in dealing with people who went astray and ones who stayed determined. Such a person can learn efficiently and build his house in Jannah.  A research conducted in Indonesia observed that teaching Tawheed in schools improved the quality of faith of both the teachers and students. It also “enhanced their skill, they started thinking actively, it improved their spirit of learning, and they were able to effectively take responsibilities.”

 

Strong Faith

“If one’s Tawheed is not sound, the rest of one’s Islam becomes, in effect, a series of pagan rituals.” (Philips, 1990) A Muslim whose eeman is strong, who has a good knowledge of Tawheed is not vulnerable to influences. He can easily deduce Islamic solutions instead of panicking or going for the wrong ones. Knowledge of Tawheed also protects one from the innovative practices that are not supported by Islam. Tawheed is God’s education and so should be combined with every branch of knowledge.

Tawheed draws a clear line between man and his Creator. A Muslim with the knowledge of Tawheed will recognize the attributes of Allah SWT and not give them to his Creation. He will also not give him new attributes or names. Such a Muslim will always be alert and careful to not transgress the limits set by Allah SWT.

 

Muslim with the education of Tawheed

Maududi (1980) has mentioned some of the characteristics of such a Muslim:

1.     He looks at everything as belonging to Allah SWT including himself.

2.     Has high self-esteem.

3.     Modest and proud.

4.     No love for worldly leisure.

5.     Virtuous, satisfied, hopeful.

6.     He has patience and is thankful.

7.     He is brave.

 

Tawheed is the root of Islamic Civilization. It is the most crucial commandment of Allah SWT and its disregard is a sin unforgivable. It is evident by: ““Allah does not forgive any ascription of associates to Him, but He forgives all other offences to whomsoever He wills. Whoever, therefore, ascribes partners to Allah has committed a sin most heinous indeed.” (Qur’an, 4:48) Thus one should study Tawheed to maintain the unity of Allah SWT and protect oneself from the hellfire.