ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Shi'ite Encyclopedia (chapter 2-3) The Knowledge of the Book Quran mentions the second type of knowledge, explained above, which has been released to the prophets and the Imams. This is the knowledge of what has been foreordained and the knowledge of the rules governing the universe. This type of knowledge is known as "the knowledge of the Book".

Quran testifies that some prophets and non-prophets had this type of knowledge by which they could perform many extraordinary things with the permission of Allah. We read in Quran that: So We did show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth that he might (with understanding) have certitude.

(Quran 6:75) Also earlier, we quoted a verse of Quran related to Prophet Jesus who said: "I will also INFORM you of what things you eat and what you treasure up in your houses." (Quran 3:49; see also 5:110). References can also be made in this respect to the power of the interpretation of the tales given to Prophet Joseph (AS) (see Quran 12:6,15,21,37), to the language of the birds given to Prophet David (AS) and Solomon (Sulayman) (AS) (see Quran 21:79).

We also read: We gave knowledge to David and Solomon, and they both said: "Praise be to Allah Who has favored us above many of His servants who believe!" And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O People! we have been taught the speech of Birds and we have been given (some knowledge) from all things. This is indeed manifest favor." (Quran 27:15-16) Having "the Knowledge of the Book", one can do many extraordinary things with the permission of Allah.

For example Quran mentions that at the time of Prophet Solomon (Sulayman), a person in the name of Asaf, who was the Minister of Solomon and had only a very small part of "the Knowledge of the Book", was able to bring the throne of Queen Bilqis from another place of the world within the twinkling of an eye: "The One with whom was just a part of the Knowledge of the Book said: 'I shall bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!' Then when (Solomon) saw (the throne) set in his presence, he said: 'This is by the grace of my Lord!

to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful!'" (Quran 27:40). The source of this Divine Knowledge is God. He gave part of it to Prophet Adam (2:31), Jesus (5:110/113)... and some people who were not prophets like Taloot (2:247), and Asaf (see the above verse).