Proper character ensures knowledge is used for the benefit of society...

Proper character ensures knowledge is used for the benefit of society; a chemical scientist with the intention to build the most dangerous weapons for the highest bidder (as has been often the case for some while)…doesn’t benefit us with his/her academic knowledge. Hence, character education in Islam is analogous to the role played by civic education in Western secular societies.

Emphasizing the importance of moral education, prophet Muhammad said “I have only been sent to correct people’s manners” (Al-Shareef, 2010). In fact, it is through these proper “manners” (understood broadly from the original Arabic khuluq to mean proper interaction with one’s Lord, family, society, etc.), that God would teach humans that which would benefit them (Qur’an, 2:282).

On the virtue of theological knowledge, Allah mentions in the Qur’an, “Allah and the angels, and those with knowledge bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but He and that He always sustains his creation in justice (Qur’an, 3:18).

According to Arabic Balaagha (study of eloquent Arabic speech, particularly in the Qur’an), the subjects mentioned in such a verse are listed in descending order of importance (wa or “and” has different meanings depending on the context) (Umm Qataadah; personal communication, April 3, 2010). Therefore, Allah has placed the testimony of faith of those that have knowledge of Him, meaning his nature, will, and names and attributes, after that of the Testimony of Allah Himself and the angels.

So great is having true faith in Allah, meaning with one’s heart, speech, and actions, that Allah chose the best of his creation, the angels, and then the best of mankind, the most knowledgeable of his worshippers, to testify to the most amazing thing possible, the whole reason that Allah created the universe…to be worshipped alone without any partners (Al-Khattaabi, 2006, p.142; Mutawalee 2005, p.179).

Al-Jawziyyah-a 13th century Hadeeth/Exegesis alim-commented on this verse saying, “undoubtedly this is a testimony to the uprightness of those with true knowledge because Allah will not use as a witness except those who are trustworthy” (Mutawalee 2005, p.179). Allah even commands his own prophet, considered the best of mankind, in the Qur'an, to ask Allah for even more knowledge (Qur’an, 20:114).

Ibn Abbas, the companion of prophet Muhammad who prophet Muhammad named Turjamaan (“the explainer”) of the Qur’an for the entire ummah (Al-Bukhari, vol.