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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Human Cycle Lesson 11 4-22-10 The Open School Class: Explanation of Forty Ahadith Text: Jalali, Sayyid Muhammad Husayn. Sharh al-Arba’in al-Nabawwiyah. Arabic edition 1987, pages 438-439.) Summary The duty of an individual is not only to acquire ilm (knowledge) but to also act upon the ilm . Amal (practice) is an essential factor. What is the point of knowing something if you do not follow or use that knowledge?

For example, if you know that a specific substance in front of you is or contains poison, it would not make sense for you to ignore that knowledge and drink the substance anyway. One can be the smartest person, but if he does not act upon the knowledge acquired, he is nothing or something worse than nothing. Even if you have great religious knowledge, you can go astray if you do not practice what you know. Look at Shaytan (Satan)!

Practice is a second factor (knowledge being the first) when evaluating a society and/or the individuals thereof. (Jalali, page 438). The Qur’an (16:97) states, inter alia , “Whoever does good whether male or female and he is a believer, We will most certainly make him live a happy life.” [^1] Accordingly, one who has faith and performs good deeds will live a happy life. What does this mean?

I have seen pious people that do many good deeds, but they are still poor and do not have big houses or fancy cars. Why? A happy life does not mean just having material possessions or achieving worldly goals. A happy life is when one is truly content. For example, a rich person may always be worried about his money, and when someone comes to talk to him, he may be thinking that this person is here for only money (always worrying). You can have everything in this world and still not be happy.

Allah (the All-Wise) says to do good deeds while having faith to be truly happy. Whether you are rich or poor, the feeling of true contentment is a great achievement.[^2] 14 Please note that the truths of science do not contradict Islam. Man may discover the beauty of the Universe, but only Allah (the All-Merciful) can create such a Universe. The truthful discoveries of science actually reinforce the power and greatness of God, the Almighty.

Furthermore, the wise Qur’an (9:105) states, inter alia , “And say, „Go on working: Allah will see your conduct, and His Apostle and the faithful [as well].” These three are watching you, and so believe and do good work.