In the current age explain from a Shari’ perspective the importance of Deeni (religious) and Dunyawi (worldy) knowledge.
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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Knowledge in itself, whether it is knowledge of Deen (religious) or knowledge pertaining to Dunya (worldly affairs) enhances the honour of a humanbeing as knowledge has been a point of distinction in humanbeings over other creations.
Allah Ta’ala says:
وَعَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْمَاءَ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ عَرَضَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَلَائِكَةِ فَقَالَ أَنْبِئُونِي بِأَسْمَاءِ هَؤُلَاءِ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
And He (Allah) taught Adam the names of all of them , and then presented these before the angels saying, “ Inform Me the names of these if you are truthful”
Almighty Allah created men as His representative here on earth. He bestowed knowledge upon them that was superior even to the angels. Adam عليه السلام was given superiority of knowledge over the angels because in order for him to function competently as the representative of Allah on earth he would need to know the names, the properties and the characteristics of things that are on earth.
All knowledge, including basic knowledge of every worldly issues, for example farming, medicine etc., commenced through Wahi.
Allah Ta’ala says:
الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ (4) عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
Who taught by the pen (4) Taught men what he did not know(5) (Surah Alaq 96:4-5)
While living in this world we have to adopt all the necessary knowledge of worldly thought to fulfill our worldly needs Doctors,
Electricians,
Plumbers etc.
While seeking worldly knowledge has its merits, there is no doubt, that one’s purpose is to glorify Allah. For that we need to know the laws of Allah and guide others.
Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala says:
Or the person who is engrossed in worship throughout the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Aakhirah and hoping for the mercy of his Rabb? Say, “Can those with knowledge be equal to those who do not have knowledge? Only those with intelligence will heed. (Surah Zumar 39:9). [1]
Therefore, علم دين(knowledge or Deen) has special virtues over علم(worldly knowledge).
Knowledge is from Allah Ta’ala and He gives it to whomsoever He wishes.
The superiority of Deeni knowledge is such that if it is removed from the hearts of men then mankind would be left in total chaos and confusion. Each other’s rights will be infringed upon.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam said:
Narrated by Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “(Religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious scholars) ignorance (in religion) and afflictions will appear; and Harj will increase.” It was asked, “What is Harj, O Allah’s Apostle?” He replied by beckoning with his hand indicating “killing.” (Fateh-al-Bari Page 192, Vol. 1)[2]
From this understand that one who understands Diin is less inclined towards committing crime.
وحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنِي حُمَيْدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنَ أَبِي سُفْيَانَ، وَهُوَ يَخْطُبُ يَقُولُ: إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «مَنْ يُرِدِ اللهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ،» صحيح مسلم (2/ 719(100 – (1037)
It has been related by, Yazid b. al-Asamm that he heard Mu’awiya b. Abu Sfyan quote a tradition from the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam which he related from the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and he did not hear him quote from the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam any tradition other than this in the course of his sermon from the pulpit-that whomsoever Allah intends good for , He grants him an understanding of religion.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Saeed Ahmed Golaub
Jamaica
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
[1] { أَمَّنْ هُوَ قَانِتٌ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ سَاجِدًا وَقَائِمًا يَحْذَرُ الْآخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُو رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ} [الزمر: 9]
[2] 1036 – حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو اليَمَانِ، قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يُقْبَضَ العِلْمُ، وَتَكْثُرَ الزَّلاَزِلُ، وَيَتَقَارَبَ الزَّمَانُ، وَتَظْهَرَ الفِتَنُ، وَيَكْثُرَ الهَرْجُ – وَهُوَ القَتْلُ القَتْلُ – حَتَّى يَكْثُرَ فِيكُمُ المَالُ فَيَفِيضَ» صحيح البخاري (2/ 33)