ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Need For an Islamic Pedagogy PRESENTATION OF DATA Knowledge in Islam What is knowledge (‘ilm in Arabic) in Islam? The first words revealed of the Qur’an to in the seventh century C.E. were, what means16 , Read/Recite! In the name of your Lord, who has created all that exists…” (Qur’an, 96:1).

The word ilm is mentioned 750 times in the Qur’an, ranking it third behind ‘Allah’ (2,800 references), and Rubb (which is usually translated as “Lord”, but has wider pedagogical connotations as will be explained) at 950 references (Boyle, 2006, p.484).This is the essence of Islam, knowledge; but what kind and for what purpose? Knowledge has been defined by Arab linguists as “the opposite of ignorance…anything that can be conceived of or known...

[and] more obvious than to need to be defined” (Mutawalee, 2005, p.177). There are two types of knowledge in Islam, “that which is known”-what humans have the ability to comprehend in this worldly life-and “that which is hidden” (Al-Ghayb). Regarding both types there are also two subdivisions, that which benefits (helps one to worship God better) and that which does not (Uthaymeen, 2004, p.33).

Regarding knowledge that which is hidden but mentioned by name in revelation, either in the Qur’an or Sunnah, (i.e.: the true nature of God, the angels, heaven, hellfire, etc.), Muslims are still obligated to believe in it-the first characteristic mentioned of the characteristics of the believers in the beginning of the Qur’an is that they believe in the hidden (Qur’an, 2:2). Some knowledge might be unbeneficial or could even harm humans.

For example, when some polytheists from prophet Muhammad’s tribe came to ask him about when the “Final Hour” (Judgment day) would be, Allah (Arabic for God) told him to “say the knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone). None but He can reveal as to when it will occur”-Allah goes on to explain that humans knowing when judgment day would be would be a huge burden on them (Qur’an, 7:187).

Allah kept this knowledge hidden so that humans would keep competing in righteousness till death, because in reality it is unbeneficial knowledge since a person’s opportunity to perform good deeds will end at death and they won’t be resurrected till judgment day.